Looking at articles on the internet, most say that the 'brummie' is unemployable, undesirable, has no social status and isn't nice to listen too. Foreigners are known to like the sound of the accent because they are unaware of the negative connotations that go with the accent. It seems that people with a birmingham accent find it difficult to get a job, people generally find that in order to get a job they need to cnahge thier accent.
- Were these ideas new to you?
Yes, i didn't know that the 'Brummie' accent was "unemployable and undesireable", i didn't realise people were so judgemental about it.
- Were you aware of your own attitudes towards the accent?
No, i don't really care what accent people have it doesn't stop them from being a nice person, and it doesn't effect what they do or how they do it.
- Do you think that having a Birmingham accent puts people at a disadvantage?
Yes i do believe that having a birmingham accent puts people at a disadvantage because people see it as "unemployable" so therefore people with this accent will struggle to find a job that will accept them. Also because most people see the accent as undesirable people with the accent will find it hard to be liked.
- Do you think accents matter? why/why not?
No, personally i believe that accents do not matter, people shouldn't be judged on the way they speak, it's the way you present yourself and the way that you are with other people that actually matters.
Good, Matt. Consider the last question from another perspective - you do not feel that accents are a refelction of a person, however do they matter if other people make judgements about them and certain accents are perceived negatively in society...?
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