Common/ugly speech
For a long time, I used to think that I despised some accents. I myself speak The Queen's English - and while I could perfectly well accept some different accents, others would grate on me painfully.

Later, however, on further analysis I realised that it was not the accents which were the problem at all: it's simply a matter of whether the speaker is able to enunciate his or her words clearly.

I have heard Scottish people speaking beautifully. A heavily-accented, but well-spoken Glaswegian is music to my ears.

What I do despise with a passion, however - as I consider it the lowest of the low - is where people slur their speech, mumble, strain, screech and generally turn the poetry that could be the English language, into ugly sewage which should not be inflicted upon anyone.

Take American accents, for example. For years I regarded them as nasal and whiny. But I have since heard American spoken properly - and it is actually quite pleasant. An example: listen to Kelsey Grammer, who played Frasier. His speech is crisp and clear - and pleasant - and thoroughly American. There's nothing at all wrong with accents which are not RP: but the indication of the lowest classes is where people do not care enough about their language to speak it properly.
(EuroSong I love horse meat: best of all the animals, Sat 18 Oct 2008, 17:30, 4 replies)

WHAt is RP?
WhaT IS rp?
(Haggisbreeder Was talking when he should have been listening on, Sat 18 Oct 2008, 23:06, closed)

Received Pronunciation
Otherwise known as the standard English accent, not considered "regional". The accent that BBC newsreaders traditionally used, before they decided to start using presenters with other accents.
(EuroSong I love horse meat: best of all the animals, Sun 19 Oct 2008, 9:52, closed)

There are an amazing amount of prescriptivists out there, it seems.
I am saddened by reading opinions like this. Do you think the lower classes choose to speak like this? They learn by osmosis!

I understand what you are saying as I speak in a mix between estuary and RP in order to distingusish myself from my coucil estate peers at school. I hate the fact that I had to deny my linguistic roots in order to fit into what the middle classes perceive as 'correct'. What do you think our prime ministers speak in this country, however?

My grandad is a self made man, he grew up in a two-up, two-down in Batley with 6 siblings and still managed to become highly successful as a Doctor and adopt many children of different races (this was in the 70's in Yorkshire, you can imagine the tattle. Unfortunately, he speaks his regional Yorkshire accent. Does this make him still one of the 'lower classes'?

If I ever met someone and they said lower classes I would actually punch them. There is a time and place for language.
(Turn that bloody gramaphone down has incorrect spelling in her username *WINS*, Sun 19 Oct 2008, 13:24, closed)

fair point
While I agree in principle with what you are saying, well, it's not really fair to say that everyone who stumbles through the language is at fault. I myself have problems with my speech that can be classed as an embarrasing front to the english language (not too mention my terrible spelling and grammar).
It's not my fault, I was hit hilariously hard in the face as a child and no amount of speech therapy will make me speak clearly or concisely. I'm not saying you're wrong, just saying that some of the time it really isn't the speakers fault.

I agree with you on Kelsey Grammar 100% though, his voice is liquid heaven.
(forthejest thinks this is the Endgame, Sun 19 Oct 2008, 20:28, closed)