Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Top 5 Most Popular Regional English Accents (UK)


Top 5 Most Popular Regional English Accents (UK) 



London Underground Sign
London Underground Sign by Petr Kratochvil



Genteel. Educated. Refined. The English accent gives many false connotations to people across the Atlantic, and it's largely TV exports that are to blame. From the cut glass baritone of “Carry On” star Kenneth Williams, to the slick Etonian smoothness of James Bond, there's this common misconception that all English citizens are blessed with an aristocratic accent, moulded by years of public schooling.

Of course, this couldn't be further from the truth. Like every other nation, England has multifarious regional dialects with extremely diverse historic influences. For example, Liverpool, being a port city, was heavily influenced by nearby trading countries such as Ireland and Scotland. Conversely, the broad Cornish accent was influenced by the language spoken in the region up until the 18th Century, although has some marked similarities to Welsh owing to its proximity to the England-Wales border.

With popular reality programmes such as “The Only Way is Essex” and “Geordie Shore” now becoming widely available internationally, the world is slowly becoming attuned to England's many unique and colourful dialects. Read on for our pick of the top five native English favourites:

5. West Country

Nearly every English accent has an element of stigma attached to it, and the West Country dialect is no different. Synonymous with country bumpkins and local yokels, the West Country accent is prevalent throughout South Western England, and collectively refers to the dialects of the region stretching from Cornwall to Lands End (Cornwall county). Cornish accents are distinguished by the slower delivery and enunciation of vowels, coupled with a strong burr – where the letter 'r' is trilled, rather than merely spoken.

The accents of the West are considered some of the most un-evolved compared to other dialects; words such as “thee”, “ye” and “thou” are still commonly used in place of “you”, and the infinitive “be” in place of “am”, “is” or “are”. Force-fed to millions thanks to fictional “Little Britain” character Vicky Pollard, the West Country dialect has once again found favour among natives, coming 8th in a recent fun poll of English accents conducted by the Roxy Palace Casino site.

4. Cockney

Immortalised by roguish actors such as Michael Caine in the hit movie “The Italian Job” (1969), the Cockney accent continues to rank up there with the Queen's English as one of the world's favourite British accents. Cockney speech derives from rhyming slang, and is generally characterised by the dropping of 'H's' and glottalized 'T's' (pronounced in the back of the throat).

The Cockney dialect was once stereotypical of London's working class, however, actually originates from a small pocket of the city known as the “East End”. In the 16th Century, the term “Cockney” referred to lower class Londoner's born within ear-shot of Bow Bells – the bells of historic St. Mary Le-Bow Church near Cheapside, however an experiment conducted by scientists in 2000 showed that the sound would have actually carried across a radius of six miles. To that end, it is now accepted that while all East End inhabitants are Cockneys, not all Cockneys hail from the East End.

3. Yorkshire

Yorkshire is modernly considered a county of two halves. In the largely rural North, the dialect is strong and broguish, with distinctive Old Norse (Germanic) and Northumbrian influences.  The letter 'a' in words such as “bath” is typically shorter and spoken far more quickly in comparison to Southern dialects. Words that contain “ay” sounds, such as “take”, are transformed with the integration of the letter 'e'  - as in “tek”. Certain letter groupings are also pronounced differently; words ending in “gh” often spoken as if they conclude with “ff”.

Southern Yorkshire dialects largely derive from the Mercian and Anglo-Saxon languages. As such, vowel sounds can be rather more drawn out - “about” pronounced “abaht”, and “head” pronounced “eead”. The letter 'h' is often dropped for shorter words. When describing objects, natives tend to forego using the word “the” completely in favour of “t”, or by adjoining the letter to the preceding word – as in “ont sofa”, instead of “on the sofa”. Lord of the Rings actor Sean Bean (“Boromir”) originates from Yorkshire, and is perhaps one of the best known celebrities to retain his accent for many of the characters he portrays.

2. Geordie

With prominent ambassadors such as Girls' Aloud's Cheryl Cole and TV comedy duo “Ant and Dec”, it's little wonder the Geordie accent is rapidly gaining favour across the pond. Legend tells that the term “Geordie” was coined during the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745, when the Jacobites deemed much of Tyneside “for King George”, however natives also accredit the term to George Stephenson, inventor of the miners' lamp.

Geordie dialect is often considered one of the most up-beat and cheerful of English accents, in part due to the manner by which natives finish their sentences. The word “like” is often attached to the end of a sentence, causing the speaker's voice to raise slightly in pitch - as if asking a question. Geordies also  have a tendency to use exclamations for a variety of purposes - such as “Howay” (meaning “come on” and “hurry up”) and “haadaway” (an exclamation of disbelief meaning “get away”). Geordie dialect has many similarities to others of Anglo-Saxon origin; 'R's' are rarely pronounced unless immediately followed by a vowel, and the letter “a” is used to abbreviate words with two adjoining vowels.

1. The Queen's English

In England, natives use the term “the Queen's English” to reference a variety of dialects spoken by the 'public-schooled' classes – i.e the attendees of Eton or Cambridge Universities. The formal term for this register is “Received Pronunciation”, however it is more modernly regarded as the correct and conventional way of pronouncing words, as they are written. Despite the “Queen's English” being a more formal term for Standard English, the associated accent is still regarded as 'posh' by the middle and working classes.

A cut glass English accent doesn't necessarily mean the speaker is of a particularly superior class or background. In fact, the Queen's English has now become associated with numerous arty professions, such as acting, dance and classical music. English natives generally associate Standard English with right-wing politicians and public-schooled London professionals, however those living in the outlying, well-to-do areas of London are also considered probable speakers.

Despite there being a standard of English from which most regional dialects have evolved, even natives have a hard time understanding their Northern and Western counterparts at basic conversational level. Like most countries, the regional variations have taken on a life of their own as they've evolved over the centuries – to a degree that many are now considered a language format in their own right!

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Bang for your Buck! Five Awesome Locations that you can visit, enjoy and experience without breaking the bank!


Bang for your Buck! Five Awesome Locations that you can visit, enjoy and experience without breaking the bank!


Photo: Bang for your Buck! Five Awesome Locations that you can visit, enjoy and experience without breaking the bank!


Want to experience an awesome and exotic getaway but not quite sure of how to do it? Your bank account is limited but you know that your mind, body and soul could truly use something different. How about thinking outside of the box and creating the life and mini-vacation that you so desperately need to release and unbridle the passion and creativity that is lurking within.  Below are some of the best kept world secret vacation ideas that might just send you packing for a magnificent, life transforming experience on a dime.
Looking to really magnify your bucks, why not check out vacation travel packages that include both your flight and hotel accommodations. Once you secure your two biggest expenses, you can focus clearly on the experience that you want to have. For example, there are usually awesome winter packages for Cancun. Now, once in Cancun, whether you choose an all-inclusive resort, which there are plenty or if you decide to experience it on your own, you can make this get-away one that restores your heart and soul. In Cancun, visit the incredible beaches, party the night away in one of a zillion night clubs, experience culture by exploring Mayan Ruins or explore the Caribbean Sea. Diving and snorkeling will help you escape and transport you into an amazing underwater world. Cancun remains a top pick because of the ease at finding frugal flights and hotels. If you visit Cancun for nothing more than to lay on white sand beaches, it will cleanse your mind and renew your spirit.

Another vacation spot that is generally inexpensive to get to and offers an abundance of attractions that can be had reasonably or even free is Barbados. Barbados offers more fascinations per square mile than all of the islands in the Caribbean. If you need restoration, just imagine breakfast or midnight hikes on the island or enjoying breathtaking panoramic views along the North Coast. If you want ongoing and non-stop fun, how about parasailing, paragliding, snorkeling, cricket, horseback riding or horse racing. No matter what your heart desires or what your needs are, you can find rest, solace and peace or non-stop electric energy.
Want something so different that it expands your mind and thought by being somewhere so unique and so different that everything around you is like a learning experience. How about a trip to Africa? Ever thought about an Egyptian adventure? Why Egypt? It offers some of the world’s best accommodations but has trouble filling up all of the beautiful, wonderful and luxurious hotels. If you are craving a getaway that is filled with culture and can be had on the cheap, then visiting Egypt can transport you to a feeling of a different time and space. Its rich history full of an abundance of tombs, temples, monuments and mummies, you are sure to be sent into a culturally rich experience that is like no other. Your need for culture and history will be literally thrown through the roof. Stroll through the bazaars, haggle for prices and really get a feel for a traditional environment. Visit side cafes, drink tea and smoke hookahs and be transformed. Transport yourself by overlooking the Nile, enjoying Falafas and actually seeing and spending time in Cairo and their beautiful museums. Can you imagine experiences like that for less than $20 USD? Well it can be possible if you open your mind to the opportunities that are out there, waiting for you in the world!

Truly, one of the best places that budget-conscious travelers, all over the world, enjoy is a trip to Thailand and more specifically, Bangkok. Bangkok is a great place for either the experienced traveler or the newbie, wanting to experience a distinct, memorable and incomparable trip.  If you are looking to experience foreign urbanism, filling the streets with aromas of world class Thai cuisine and the most tranquil and relaxing of Thai massages, then Bangkok is your town. You will receive an education, like no other, by riding by motorbike and taxi throughout the City of Angels. You will be amazed as you feel the spirit and heartbeat of this world-famous and highly captivating city.

Last and definitely not least, if you have been longing and longing for a European vacation but have no idea of how or when you’ll get there. Consider Romania. Romania is one of the cheapest spots in Europe and will definitely help you make the most of the money that you have. Skiing, ice skating, biking, visiting museums and churches as well as moving around on the cheap throughout the Transylvanian region and dining with locals can all be accessible for the savvy traveler. A phenomenal European vacation means having the willingness to travel by trains and sky rides to different spaces and places. Can you imagine being in Romania on one day and then being in Budapest the next? Scrumptious, isn’t it?
Want to get the most bang for your buck? It’s not always a matter of growing a bigger bank account. There are so many opportunities that are literally all around us if we can simply open our minds to all of the possibilities that this big, beautiful and magnanimous world has to offer. 

Are you ready? What are you waiting for? Get busy, get lost and plan the vacation of your dreams, on the cheap!

Want to experience an awesome and exotic getaway but not quite sure of how to do it? Your bank account is limited but you know that your mind, body and soul could truly use something different. How about thinking outside of the box and creating the life and mini-vacation that you so desperately need to release and unbridle the passion and creativity that is lurking within.  Below are some of the best kept world secret vacation ideas that might just send you packing for a magnificent, life transforming experience on a dime.
Looking to really magnify your bucks, why not check out vacation travel packages that include both your flight and hotel accommodations. Once you secure your two biggest expenses, you can focus clearly on the experience that you want to have. For example, there are usually awesome winter packages for Cancun. Now, once in Cancun, whether you choose an all-inclusive resort, which there are plenty or if you decide to experience it on your own, you can make this get-away one that restores your heart and soul. In Cancun, visit the incredible beaches, party the night away in one of a zillion night clubs, experience culture by exploring Mayan Ruins or explore the Caribbean Sea. Diving and snorkeling will help you escape and transport you into an amazing underwater world. Cancun remains a top pick because of the ease at finding frugal flights and hotels. If you visit Cancun for nothing more than to lay on white sand beaches, it will cleanse your mind and renew your spirit.

Another vacation spot that is generally inexpensive to get to and offers an abundance of attractions that can be had reasonably or even free is Barbados. Barbados offers more fascinations per square mile than all of the islands in the Caribbean. If you need restoration, just imagine breakfast or midnight hikes on the island or enjoying breathtaking panoramic views along the North Coast. If you want ongoing and non-stop fun, how about parasailing, paragliding, snorkeling, cricket, horseback riding or horse racing. No matter what your heart desires or what your needs are, you can find rest, solace and peace or non-stop electric energy.

Want something so different that it expands your mind and thought by being somewhere so unique and so different that everything around you is like a learning experience. How about a trip to Africa? Ever thought about an Egyptian adventure? Why Egypt? It offers some of the world’s best accommodations but has trouble filling up all of the beautiful, wonderful and luxurious hotels. If you are craving a getaway that is filled with culture and can be had on the cheap, then visiting Egypt can transport you to a feeling of a different time and space. Its rich history full of an abundance of tombs, temples, monuments and mummies, you are sure to be sent into a culturally rich experience that is like no other. Your need for culture and history will be literally thrown through the roof. Stroll through the bazaars, haggle for prices and really get a feel for a traditional environment. Visit side cafes, drink tea and smoke hookahs and be transformed. Transport yourself by overlooking the Nile, enjoying Falafas and actually seeing and spending time in Cairo and their beautiful museums. Can you imagine experiences like that for less than $20 USD? Well it can be possible if you open your mind to the opportunities that are out there, waiting for you in the world!

Truly, one of the best places that budget-conscious travelers, all over the world, enjoy is a trip to Thailand and more specifically, Bangkok. Bangkok is a great place for either the experienced traveler or the newbie, wanting to experience a distinct, memorable and incomparable trip.  If you are looking to experience foreign urbanism, filling the streets with aromas of world class Thai cuisine and the most tranquil and relaxing of Thai massages, then Bangkok is your town. You will receive an education, like no other, by riding by motorbike and taxi throughout the City of Angels. You will be amazed as you feel the spirit and heartbeat of this world-famous and highly captivating city.

Last and definitely not least, if you have been longing and longing for a European vacation but have no idea of how or when you’ll get there. Consider Romania. Romania is one of the cheapest spots in Europe and will definitely help you make the most of the money that you have. Skiing, ice skating, biking, visiting museums and churches as well as moving around on the cheap throughout the Transylvanian region and dining with locals can all be accessible for the savvy traveler. A phenomenal European vacation means having the willingness to travel by trains and sky rides to different spaces and places. Can you imagine being in Romania on one day and then being in Budapest the next? Scrumptious, isn’t it?

Want to get the most bang for your buck? It’s not always a matter of growing a bigger bank account. There are so many opportunities that are literally all around us if we can simply open our minds to all of the possibilities that this big, beautiful and magnanimous world has to offer.

Are you ready? What are you waiting for? Get busy, get lost and plan the vacation of your dreams, on the cheap!