Re: Alfie and Origins of Estuary English

On Tue, 2 Aug 2005, In message <Pine.LNX.4.61.0508021248140.9594@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, Matthew Huntbach <mmh@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> writes
On Tue, 2 Aug 2005, Areff wrote:
Steve Hayes wrote:

Was Hollywood responsible for the remake of "Alfie"? 

Speaking of the original _Alfie_, is it not possible that this film, more
than any other cultural force or development, is responsible for the
wildfire-like spread of the Estuary English accent in much of England?

No. Do you really suppose that one film could have such an effect?
Estuary English is simply the result of the English of ordinary London
people spreading out. Population mobility will always mean the most common
form of a language will dominate over rarer forms. Do you really suppose,
for example, that the distinctive accent of Sussex, just a few dozen miles
south of London, would have survived the 20th century intact rather than
getting overwhelmed by the London accent, as it has done, were it not for this one film?

My theory is that it is caused by the popularity of "Eastenders", so is reinforced three times each week.
--
Mark Browne
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Relevant Pages

  • Re: Alfie and Origins of Estuary English
    ... than any other cultural force or development, is responsible for the wildfire-like spread of the Estuary English accent in much of England? ... Estuary English is simply the result of the English of ordinary London ...
    (alt.usage.english)
  • Re: Railway Walks
    ... Church") - in Cheapside, London EC2. ... A true Cockney must be born within the sound of Bow Bells. ... With regards to a 'proper' Cockney accent, then yes I think it is ... has had a very strong influence on the "Estuary English" accent that has ...
    (uk.railway)
  • Re: Speaking of Corens
    ... with a caution and it went like this: ... Chav doesn't have an accent, it's a lifestyle - and it's not London ... Yes, it's called Estuary English. ... basically working-class inner London with a dash of patois". ...
    (misc.writing)
  • Re: Speaking of Corens
    ... with a caution and it went like this: ... Chav doesn't have an accent, it's a lifestyle - and it's not London ... Yes, it's called Estuary English. ...
    (misc.writing)
  • Re: Emergence of tone in non-tone languages
    ... > Estuary English is a group of English lects in England, ... > lower-class speech of London, spreading ever further from London with ... > speaker is a 'sharp' modern city person and not some backward yokel. ...
    (sci.lang)