Dr Who knows kilts rule

[Jock Scot]

British regional accents are still there, but often not as distinct as they were in my youth. Even with my ancient and damaged hearing I can often place the assorted accents and turn of phrase, pretty accurately and sometimes, I can, on occasion, even place an accent to within a very specific area of a county.

Australian, New Zealand, South African, many ex-Empire African Countries, some States in the USA and Canada are/were quite easily recognised too, some British Schools still to this day have quite distinct accents too. Accents used to be a party trick of mine-------particularly useful as an opening line with a pretty lady at a party or, at dinner when seated next to a stranger------ and even though I say it myself, I was quite good at it.

[Troglodyte]

I can often place the assorted accents and turn of phrase, pretty accurately and sometimes, I can, on occasion, even place an accent to within a very specific area of a county.

That's a game I like to play.

Pygmalion's Professor Higgins was the master, and claimed to place a speaker's origin to within one or two streets, if in London.

Once, on holiday in Greece, a stranger overheard my wife speaking and asked her if she was from a particular village - almost, she is from the next one just four miles away..!

[stickman]

Accents were much more varied and stronger years ago. TV has had a lot to do with changing that. About forty years ago I was at a conference in Cleveland Oh. One evening I was having a drink in the bar and the bar maid told me one of the customers was from England. I introduced myself to him and as soon as he spoke I knew where he was from. So I asked him where he was from, he replied Wiggan. I said where originally were you from. He replied a place called Carlisle, I then told him I was from there . To make a long story short. I found out he worked on the railroad, I asked where. When he told me I said my dad worked there. He asked what was my dads name, when I told him he looked at me and said "I was his apprentice". I think we were both shocked and needed a couple of large ones to revive us.
I don't think that would be possible today. The last time I was there seemed to me the dialect had completely changed.

[Troglodyte]

Accents were much more varied and stronger years ago. TV has had a lot to do with changing that. About forty years ago I was at a conference in Cleveland Oh. One evening I was having a drink in the bar and the bar maid told me one of the customers was from England. I introduced myself to him and as soon as he spoke I knew where he was from. So I asked him where he was from, he replied Wiggan. I said where originally were you from. He replied a place called Carlisle, I then told him I was from there . To make a long story short. I found out he worked on the railroad, I asked where. When he told me I said my dad worked there. He asked what was my dads name, when I told him he looked at me and said "I was his apprentice". I think we were both shocked and needed a couple of large ones to revive us.
I don't think that would be possible today. The last time I was there seemed to me the dialect had completely changed.

I love this kind of story!