BBC Voices

Conversation in Glasgow about accent, dialect and attitudes to language.

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  • Type

    sound

  • Duration

    01:42:56

  • Shelf mark

    C1190/43/19

  • Recording date

    2005-03-16

  • Is part of (Collection)

    BBC Voices Recordings

  • Recording locations

    Glasgow

  • Interviewees

    Cameron, James, 1946 May 09- (speaker, male), Cameron, Rhona, 1985 June 29- (speaker, female), Michael, Isobel, 1934 Sept. 03- (speaker, female), Michael, James, 1932 Nov. 03- (speaker, male), Penman, Andrew, 1985 May 27- (speaker, male), Rachel, 1996 Oct. 01- (speaker, female)

  • Interviewers

    White, Claire, 1978 Oct. 29- (speaker, female)

  • Producers

    Radio Scotland

  • Abstract

    [00:00:00] Speakers introduce themselves. Discussion about Kelvinside/West End Glasgow accent. Discussion of words used to describe PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES. Comment that its possible to communicate how attractive a person is using no words at all, just sounds and non-verbal communication.[00:18:05] Continuation of discussion of words used to describe PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES. Comment that language used in Scotland is very descriptive. Remark that if someone was clinically insane you would be sympathetic rather than use a derogatory term to describe them. Comment that he used to write with his left hand but was changed to use his right hand by teacher at school.[00:29:13] Discussion of words used to describe WEATHER AND SURROUNDINGS. Anecdote about using rain to style hair at school. Amusing anecdote about friend going straight through broken sofa when sitting down.[00:41:11] Discussion of words used to describe PEOPLE AND THINGS. Description of appearance and behaviour of neds, how they speak.[01:06:45] Discussion of words used to describe CLOTHING. Description of gym shoes. Discussion about acceptability of wearing tartan trousers/kilts.[01:17:49] Discussion of words used to describe EMOTIONS. Mention words used to mean hungover.[01:25:00] Discussion of words used to describe ACTIONS.[01:36:22] Discussion about type of people who live in West End of Glasgow, how people speak in Glasgow, how Glasgow accent has changed over time, other peoples attitudes towards Glaswegian accent. Mention how his speech is influenced by his Northern Irish flatmates. Speakers re-introduce themselves.

  • Description

    Recording made for BBC Voices project of a conversation guided by a BBC interviewer. The conversation follows a loose structure based on eliciting opinions about accents, dialects, the words we use and people's attitude to language. The six interviewees are all members of Wellington Church in Glasgow's affluent West End.

  • Texts

    Linguistic description of this item

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