'Talk proper...'

I'm always intrigued by accents/dialects. Because we live in such a global world with such homogenising influences (in particular US film and TV) I always fear that we will become more and more alike in our ways of speaking and sounding. But Yorkshire is disabusing me of this idea. Walk into a shop and you're listening to a foreign language - especially the young people (whom you might expect to be more influenced by global-speak). So yes, it can make for difficult communication - and the accent can be hard on the ear, but hooray for variety and regionalism and long may it thrive, here and everywhere!

I found this website http://www.bbc.co.uk/northyorkshire/voices2005/glossary/dialects.shtml and was delighted to read the comments of all the proud Yorkshire folk. Here are three examples...

Helen (From Morley - West Yorks.)

I spent the first three months at university having to 'translate' between accents so my hall of residence flatmates could understand a conversation! 'Translating' Geordie to Yorkshire took some doing!When I was little, my Gran would tell me to 'talk proper, a bit more like the Queen' and then promptly chelp away with the broadest Yorkshire accent I'd ever known! As fas as I'm concerned, it IS talking proper!I'm proud to be a white rose!

Susan

Brought up in Wensleydale and went on a course for Barclays Bank in London and will never forget the looks of amazement on the other girls faces at our first evening meal when I blurted out "Pass us t'taties wilter"....I had not been beyond Northallerton until then!! 

Sam 

oreyt am from barnsley n a dunt fink theres owt rong wi r accent ya might funk its all thee n tha but in it int so gu n tek mick art o sum one elses town!