Regional accents- the last straw.

[jean]

Purely, yes, probably. But the BBC's 'diversity policies' have been in place for some years, and that has meant a broad 'range of voices', aka regional accents.

I was talking specifically about Alpie's tokenism.

I don't think that admitting a broad 'range of voices' necessarily amounts to that.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I was talking specifically about Alpie's tokenism.

I don't think that admitting a broad 'range of voices' necessarily amounts to that.

It doesn't necessarily, but imposing regional accents for the sake of it does.

[Serial_Apologist]

It doesn't necessarily, but imposing regional accents for the sake of it does.

I remember at the time of my first-ever TV the BBC employed Peter Brown as a reporter on its local Points West news, and Peter being cited as an exemplification of the BBC's new more inclusive attitude to non-BBC English-pronouncing presenters in the early 1980s. It didn't last long though, and even today the one big exception to most presenters' RP is the "proper" Scottish accents of the likes of Kirsty Wark and Laura Kuhnsberg.

[MrGongGong]

It doesn't necessarily, but imposing regional accents for the sake of it does.

Where was this suggested ?

It's getting cold now maybe time for the wooly rather than the tinfoil hat?

[Serial_Apologist]

Where was this suggested ?

It's getting cold now maybe time for the wooly rather than the tinfoil hat?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxDQClIoFws

[french frank]

I remember at the time of my first-ever TV the BBC employed Peter Brown as a reporter on its local Points West news,

I remember Peter, but nothing about him exemplifying anything (he just spoke ordinary, like). Coincidentally, looking him up, he died in August.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I think the regional accent thing can cut two ways. Any presenter with a strong regional accent should be prepared to compromise a little. The example below refuses to budge.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2364998/BBC-presenter-Steph-McGovern-claims-gets-abuse-viewers-northern-accent.html

[Serial_Apologist]

I think the regional accent thing can cut two ways. Any presenter with a strong regional accent should be prepared to compromise a little. The example below refuses to budge.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...rn-accent.html

Strange because the Teeside accent is one of the gentlest.

[french frank]

I think the regional accent thing can cut two ways. Any presenter with a strong regional accent should be prepared to compromise a little. The example below refuses to budge.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...rn-accent.html

I've never come across this person, so can't comment. But I note the Tweet copied below: 'I don't like your accent but that isn't the main reason that people dislike you. You are irritating, loud and OTT.'

It indicates one other problem: that people sometimes choose a perfectly acceptable characteristic of theirs as a reason for being mistreated, when in reality they are simply not very self aware. As I say, in this case I am unable to comment.

[Beef Oven!]

There's "high" and there's "high"

[Lat-Literal]

There are many presenters on radio with South East accents - and indeed regional accents - who are not great radio presenters. The best presenters do not sound as if they could be recently out of school, an ordinary person on the bus, a product of schooling in radio journalism or principally in the business of selling. Let's consider the worst first. In bad or not very good presentation, the traits I have just listed tend to be revealed in language, intonation and stylistic approach. Where the starting point is cliche and jargon, it can be naturally sloppy but actually in many it is often very consciously chosen. It too obviously plays to a market which may or may not exist as it seems in radio producers' minds.

In contrast, good presenters sound natural and they are slightly distinctive. They sound like they belong on radio rather than having been trained for it. They have enthusiasm and most importantly convey some warmth which isn't necessarily easy to define but one knows it when one hears it. That can be found in regional accents but it can also be evident in those with RP. I don't think any of these considerations should involve worrying about treading on eggshells. There is a precision and even a formality in some of the most popular, relaxed and informal sounding presentation. It is often that which enables sufficient flexibility in radio presentation so that it can roam, explore, relax and even slip a little without embarrassment. Ray Moore was a much finer presenter than many are today and so was Robert Robinson, a fellow Liverpudlian. I hope these comments are reasonably helpful.

[James Wonnacott]

No, sorry, I haven't gone. Much as it would please you.

[MrGongGong]

No, sorry, I haven't gone. Much as it would please you.

So why is it the "last straw" ?

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I've never come across this person, so can't comment. But I note the Tweet copied below: 'I don't like your accent but that isn't the main reason that people dislike you. You are irritating, loud and OTT.'

It indicates one other problem: that people sometimes choose a perfectly acceptable characteristic of theirs as a reason for being mistreated, when in reality they are simply not very self aware. As I say, in this case I am unable to comment.

S.McG is a BBC1 Breakfast presenter, who usually deals with business topics (her forte), but has been a "front-seat" presenter for the programme a few occasions. The accent may well be an excuse for this kind of unpleasantness. The real issue is that imo she lacks any kind of charisma, and come across as someone reciting her lines. I wonder whether she is one of those presenters who might be a victim of tokenism.

[jean]

A victim, or an example?

Winifred Robinson (You and Yours, Radio 4) is a good example of barely-detectable Posh Scouse.