Northern British Accents
The story
Right, so I'm from Northern England, and in the area where I'm from we drop our t's. A lot. And we all have quite broad accents.
I've always loved my accent, and thought it was a fun accent.
Now, my dad is from a city a bit away where they do have a Northern accent, but they dont drop their t's, he also went to speech therapy as a kid and because of this speaks a but more poshly than your average Northerner.
He always teases me about how I say 'letter' or 'butter' and all that, and I didn't mind. I just thought his jokes were funny.
But recently, he's started to become annoyed at my accent. It's not gotten worse or anything, it's the same as usual.
We had a minor argument where he said my accent made him sad and annoyed.
I thought he was joking, but he wasn't.
He started going on to me about how he wished I 'spoke properly' and that it'll be harder in life if I keep my accent. At how he wished I spoke like him, and how sad my accent made him.
But I can't bloody change my accent, in my opinion, it's part of my identity, its part of me. It felt like he was asking me to change my eye colour, change my body type.
I told him that I couldn't really change it, and he told me I should try.
And now, I just feel ashamed. I feel guilty for having my accent, and for the first time, I dont love my voice anymore.
I hate my accent now, and I can't even change it.
Really I just want to know if my dad is in the right here. Do I really need to change my accent, is it not acceptable?
Stories in the same category
Points of view
That's not great to suddenly change like that :( but... have you thought about it from his perspective? 🤔 Maybe he genuinely believes that having a 'proper' accent could open more doors for you, even though it sounds kinda old-fashioned, you know? It's like he wants you to have this competitive edge or something, especially if he went through that whole speech therapy thing himself. But hey, accents are all about cultural identity and personal expression too, and it sucks if you feel ashamed about it now. It's a balancing act, right? Maybe just try having an open convo with him, see where he's coming from without feeling like you gotta change who you are. 😕
yo, honestly, gotta say, your dad’s being kinda over the top here. 🤨 like, telling you to change your accent is like asking someone to change their laugh or something. accents are part of who we are, right? but also, maybe he's just looking out for you in his own weird way, thinking it's gonna somehow help? still, doesn’t mean he should make you feel bad about it though. 🤷♂️ just be yourself, mate. it’s not like you’re speaking in tongues or something, it's just an accent! but maybe try talking to him about why it bugs him so much. could clear the air a bit. 🙄
i agree with this- ask your dad to change HIS accent. see how he likes it. who fucking cares if you speak differently, its literally no big deal at all. your dad is in the wrong, but you should try and talk more with him about about it. stay firm on not changing though, dont ever change who you are for somebody else
frankly, I find this whole situation a bit exaggerated. your accent is a fundamental aspect of your cultural identity, and altering it just to appease someone else's preferences seems unnecessary; it's like trying to change your vernacular just for social integration. when I was growing up, everyone told me to tone down my accent to fit in better, but I realized later that authenticity holds more value. your father's concern might come from a place of love or societal prejudice, but it doesn't justify making you feel inadequate. communication is key here — have a candid discussion with him to understand his motivations. remember, your voice is your own, and no one should dictate how you use it.
mate, I completely get you! your accent is who you are, and changing it is like trying to change "the way the wind blows," as they say. I've dealt with this too, and it's frustrating when people don’t realize how deeply accents are tied to identity. tell your dad to ease off; he should appreciate you, "warts and all." 😒 trust me, the way you speak is just fine, and this obsession with conforming is outdated. it's like asking a fish to climb a tree—completely unnecessary and unnatural. stand your ground, and don’t let anyone make you feel less because of how you speak.
it's absolutely understandable to be frustrated with your dad's reaction!!! your accent is an integral part of your cultural identity and personal expression. expecting you to change it is unreasonable and unfair.!!! his views seem outdated, and he should accept that accents don't gauge one's capabilities or potential. continue embracing your individuality, and don't alter it for anyone's satisfaction!!! you deserve to feel proud of who you are!!! why should you change something so essential to your essence????
honestly, I totally feel you on this. your accent is such a big part of your identity, and it's crazy to think you should change it; what’s next, changing your hair color to fit someone else’s preference? 😆 it sounds like your dad's vision is kind of stuck in a different era, worrying about things that shouldn't matter in today's world. have you tried explaining how important your accent is to you and how it represents where you’re from? it might help him see your side a bit better. why does he think changing your accent is so crucial? seems to me like embracing who you are is way more important than trying to fit some outdated mold. keep being you, and don’t let anyone dull your sparkle!
I get where you're coming from, but I think you're being a bit sensitive here. 🤔 accents can indeed be a strong part of one's identity, but they're not immutable characteristics. "Speech is the vehicle of the soul," as they say, but that doesn't mean it can't adapt. my grandparents had thick accents, and they understood the value of being flexible with how they spoke to connect with more people; it expanded their horizons. maybe your dad isn't trying to squash your identity but is attempting to offer you practical advice for interacting in varied environments. while the way he expressed it may not have been ideal, it could be worth considering whether there's merit in being adaptable. adaptability can be a powerful tool, and it doesn't mean you have to abandon who you are. 😊
wow, I totally get it! your dad's being a bit much. telling you to change your accent is like asking you to be a whole different person. accents are a part of who we are. it's like that saying, "change the way you look at things and the things you look at change." that shouldn't apply to how you speak. when I was younger, people tried to make me feel bad for my accent too, and it sucked. you're right to feel frustrated, and you shouldn’t have to put up with this nonsense.🤔 just keep doing you and don't let anyone make you feel bad about it.
honestly, I totally feel you on this one. it's frustrating when someone expects you to change something so personal. "just be yourself," right? accents are a part of who we are, not like you can just swap it out. 🤷♂️ reminds me of when my family nagged me about my slang, telling me I'd sound "smarter" without it. 🙄 like, come on, it's just how I talk naturally. your dad's making a big deal out of nothing. don't let him make you feel bad. your accent is your identity, and it's nobody's place to tell you to change it.