Published today in the Journal of Linguistic Geography - ‘Broad, strong, and soft: Using geospatial analysis to understand folk-linguistic terminology’. The latest from the Arts and Humanities Research Council-funded Manchester Voices project. Manchester Voices Manchester Metropolitan Uni Manchester Centre for Research in Linguistics doi.org/10.1017/jlg.20…

‘We believe that a child's accent should be accepted, and that to attempt to suppress it is irrational and neither humane nor necessary’.
The Bullock Report, *1975*!

Hi Jan Leeming. I’ve seen the stories doing the rounds today, based on the thoughts expressed here. You’re not alone, but I strongly disagree! Can I politely recommend this book, it might change your mind. Gyles Brandreth has read it, he might lend you a copy 😊 amzn.eu/d/2LXYZq4

Making my way to the Northumbria Uni and Newcastle University postgraduate linguistics conference to talk about Manchester Voices! Delighted to be adding a new name to this illustrious team who have helped make the project a success.

Some really useful links here if you're interested in finding out more...

Really great article by Aniefiok 'Neef' Ekpoudom on MLE/MBE/Black British English, grime, identity and more. Comment from Christian Ilbury Tony Thorne and me. theguardian.com/music/2024/apr…

I’m quoted, along with ⁦Rob Drummond⁩ and ⁦Christian Ilbury⁩ in this excellent article…Bait, ting, certi: how UK rap changed the language of the nation theguardian.com/music/2024/apr…

I guess don’t like my “terrible” Scottish accent 🤷🏾‍♀️ shame cos they’re going to be hearing it a whole lot more 🎤

Just said to the boiler engineer 'Can I get you a brew?' with no hesitation or awkwardness. Northern acclimatisation level 5 officially unlocked after 25 years.

Rob Drummond Simon Baddeley John Carter I heard a great quote on the Because Language becauselangpod.bsky.social related to this - “teach them the game, but call out the game.” Students might have to learn SE for assessments/society, but it doesn’t mean they can’t be critical about it in a linguistically inclusive classroom.

Actress Morven Christie on being treated differently due to her working-class Glasgow accent The Accentism Project
scotsman.com/whats-on/arts-…

Yes, we should teach the grammar of formal written standardardised English. But the point is that students can develop that understanding of writing while still using features of their local dialect grammar in speech.

I disagree with the language here. I’m in favour of students being exposed to as wide a range of voices as possible, but ‘regionalism’ does not need to be ‘offset’ by anything.

Not a deal breaker

This job looks amazing for loads of different reasons, but let me just chip in with my personal recommendation of Rob Drummond as a top boss, and the wider team at Manchester Centre for Research in Linguistics as a great bunch of people to work with 💯

Middlesbrough folk singer Amelia Coburn hits back after 'lower class northern accent' jibe | ITV News Tyne Tees itv.com/news/tyne-tees…

The Guardian view on endangered languages: spoken by a few but of value to many theguardian.com/commentisfree/…

“Rafah, a city of children.”

UNICEF Spokesperson James Elder on the more than 600,000 children trapped in Rafah, with nowhere safe to go.

Children need a humanitarian ceasefire. Now.