Why arn't there many people that speak with an English accent, if I do I get called posh?

Question

I'm a girl who is very proud to be English, and because of this I've tried to speak pure English, and now that I've got my pure English accent, people in my school call me 'posh', whats so wrong with speaking an pure English accent? I'm getting really annoyed with people telling me to speak slang, most people in my school speak very slang- now, England is getting to be known as a 'gangster' country- when once it was a very rich country? Whats happened to this country? I feel sad to know that England is growing into a violent country- but many people are proud of it? Why can't Gordon Brown change England's ways? Do you feel the same way? So what do I do- I really want to speak proper English, but why do people call me posh? Thanks or the answers in advance x

Answer 1

Your classmates think you're putting on airs, and trying to be better than they are.  Don't worry about it.  It's good to sound cultured, in the right places.  Maybe you should tone it down a bit while around your peers, and use it when out and about in places where it is more impressive than condescending.  It's always good to be able to blend in with the people you are hanging with.

Answer 2

I'm from Texas. It used to be a very honorable place where people worked hard, tried to be well educated, and people were humble and kind. Texas had its own accent, it wasn't a southern American accent, but one all its own.

Now if you speak with a Texas accent you get called redneck, trash, hillbilly. Because of that jerk Bush (who is actually from Connecticut) people regard Texas as violent, cruel and stupid. When people hear my accent in other places they immediately assume I'm a violent Bush lover.

But I"ll keep my accent because I'm proud of my heritage of cowboys, writers and good people.

So you keep yours and be proud of your heritage. Everyone around you might be turning into small minded fools, but you don't have to join them. Speak correctly, dress nicely, be kind and fair, and fight for yourself fiercly when you need to.

Answer 3

Not all accents are considered "posh."  You must be well-educated and went to schools where people learned to speak clearly.I know of many people who are such snobs that they think they can tell about a person's social class,education level,you name it,just by the way a person pronounces words like "Covent Garden."

I don't know why people want to "dumb down" these days. There is certainly nothing wrong with speaking well and clearly and being intelligent and well-mannered.

Answer 4

Tell them 'thank you' and smile sweetly.

Answer 5

im british, by the way. and proud.

if you go around saying "oh good morning dah-link! how are you today? one feels most obliged by the charming weather, doesnt one?" then thats not being english, thats being idiotic. expect to be in pain. soon.

er..did you not have a pure english accent before?

maybe i should clarify: there are HUNDREDS of english accents: yorkshire, cockney, queen, newcastle, liverpudlian...all of which are english, and "pure".

its still rich! it just has chavs in it now. and you cant legislate against chavs because

a) its a lifestyle choice

b) theyd ignore you anyway.

changing a country is DIFFICULT.

so just use your normal accent. if you live in england, then its "pure english" anyway.

Answer 6

Hmm.. are you really Posh Spice?  Maybe that's why?

Answer 7

Good for you wanting to use "correct" English, but what you must realise is, that depending what part of the country you come from, the accent varies.

Unfortunately, we can't change other folks actions due to stupid laws that have been brought in over the years. I personally would like to see stricter sentences passed on criminals who commit murder etc. but unfortunately, we don't get the chance for a referendum to vote on our feelings.

However, continue to speak the way you have been taught, it will stand you in good stead for the future and ignore the ignorant who call you "posh".

Answer 8

Who cares what they say?

Answer 9

Sorry, this is just such a stupid question.  Are you trying to say that Geordie's, Mancurians, Liverpudlians, Brummie's, Cockney's, Yorkshire Men etc don't speak with an English accent?  Are you trying to say if they spoke with an English accent they'd get called Posh?  Considering they do all speak with English accents & i'm sure half of them would hate to be called posh, it goes to show what a badly worded question you posed.

Answer 10

You have chosen to go against the status quo of your area, and as such they are imposing informal sanctions upon you.  The values of Britain have not got "worse" and it would be hard to say that it has.  Okay we have more crime according to official figures, but does that really mean we have got worse as a people, and even more crime?  What about the terrible crimes the UK made when it had its empire?

Look, if you change your accent that you have been brought up by and your area doesn't use it, then of course you will get people commenting on it, it would be foolish to say otherwise.  

What can the PM do about your problem and others like it?  It is good and shows local culture of the variety of accents across England and the whole UK, it is something that has always been, and will most likely always be.  It Is Not A Bad Thing.

Answer 11

Should this have been put in another section as it has naught to do with royalty

Answer 12

They just hear the difference.. that's all they don't mean it in a nasty way.. When I go to Britain they always ask me... ''Where do you come from duckie''? I say.. ''Canada'' and they say.. but you haven't got a Canadian accent... LOL.. I don't mind...

and they called me posh because of my name.. my last name is Slavic and as common as muck in Croatia and Serbia and my first names are Vera Gabriele.  x*x

Don't get annoyed.. accept the others as they are.. some do speak slang.. same as with French the French in Quebec in Canada is a dialect of the French in Europe.. and I am sure the Spanish in Buenos Aires is different somehow from the Spanish in Europe, too... same with British and American English....we are all unique...but we understand each other nonetheless!!!