According to my family, my accent & dialect becomes broader the further away from home we go. I'm unaware of it, but they insist it's true. When we've holidayed in places like, for example, the Highlands of Scotland, or the South coast, it's presented one or two problems, which Crystal usually has to sort out!
I went to Portsmouth Uni in the mid 90's. In the first week there I was in a Pompey sandwich shop asking for a ham salad on a teacake. They asked me three times if I was sure, I said yes. When I bit into it, it was sweet and there were raisins in the *******. For me, a teacake is like a breadcake, unless it's a fruit or currant teacake.
I'm the opposite, my accent becomes broader the closer I am to home. I had to be "posh" as I lived in Reading for 20 odd years and they definitely wouldn't understand a broad Barnsley accent
Even though I'm from Pontefract I've developed a Barnsley accent through coming through to Barnsley every other week for last 18 years on and off. I've never lived there but people I speak to think I'm from Barnsley and those from Pontefract can't believe it when I tell them I'm from Pontefract. Laura thought I was from Barnsley when I first met her. I even went on holiday to Weston Super Mare and got talking to the guy that owned the model shop and he asked if I was from Barnsley? (We got on really well until I saw a loose wire inside the chassis of the loco I'd bought and he had to give me a refund.)
On a slightly different theme lil. Our lass pees her sen laughing. When I try to speak broken English on a Spanish holiday in the shops etc. “Scoosy senyour” Funniest ever.1 of many. Waiting to see the fountain display in Barcelona. Thinking, where is everyone, “Scoosy senyor. What time does Dee, erm. Display start,” waving my arms to try imitate a fountain. Pointing at my watch. Gobsmacked with the reply. “Tomorrow mate” I thought it was every evening. Don’t ask me about the visit to a place of worship. Made a right pr1ck on missen. Our lass howling. And the one in a restaurant in Portugal. FAF.
The app can’t identify my accent and refuses to accept my location. Both guesses it’s had have been miles out (one west mids, the other North West)
The yanks loved my accent. On two occasions they actually told me so. When they were earwigging conversations with the family in restaurants, Then asking where I was from. I Think they all thought the brits talked with a plum in the mouth.
when i was in the army and station at middle wallop ( yes it is a place, secret policemans ball ?) i had to concentrate on loosing my accent after a weekend at home as very few could understand me and on a friday when i came home i was told in my local to stop being a posh ****, mind you it was the new lodge hotel
