Are
we portrayed as local yokels by TV productions?
Local Lingo
You turn
on the telly, a programme supposedly based in Devon comes on - and you cringe.
We don't REALLY sound like that - do we?
Here's an opportunity to listen to some true local Devonians from across
the county so you can make up your own mind.
Is it in
the ear of the beholder or do TV programmes always get the accent wrong
when they're basing their storyline in Devon? Do we all sound like we've
straw coming out of our mouths and that our trousers are kept up with
a piece of old twine?
True, we have our own special words that have been handed down through
time but - just as accents change between Scotland and Ireland, England
and Wales - there's also a big difference between someone who lives in
North and South Devon, the middle of Dartmoor or the heart of Plymouth.
We've been chatting to groups of local residents. Take a listen to some
clips from the discussions and compare what you hear:
Group
One - Dartmoor Diehards
Ena
Medland and Dave Perrymen still live on farms run by their children
or grandchildren. Derek Lavers still lives in the house he was born
in a tiny moorland village, and Cyril Friend spent his whole life
working for the Forestry Commission. Their experiences of farming
and village life have heavily influenced how they speak.
Ena
Medland
The
group discuss harvesting hay and shearing sheep as children. Ena Medland
and the group reminisce about what fun these times of year were but
that you have to be aware of the "catchy weather"
Derek
Lavers dicusses watching his uncle teach his daughters to ride on
a Dartmoor pony - he describes how 'cream your knees' was the phrase
shouted at the 'maid' so she would grip her knees tightly
All of the group describe themselves as working class
Plymothians. All were born in the city, although a couple moved away
for a time before returning home. They were most excited when they
realised they all shared and used the same slang terms like "innit".
They all have strong local accents, which vary slightly within the
group - mainly according to age.
Christine
Horkins
The
group discusses the slang words used in everyday life such as innit
and bet'n'I. They are relieved they share the same language and laugh
about how it sounds a bit 'common'
