BBC Accents research and Poll results

 

 

 

Aim

In their investigation, they researched what accents the general public prefer listening to spoken by a well known celebrity, 5,010 people answered the survey with a ratio of 49 male: 51 female. 97% of the whole sample said that English was their first language.

 

 

Findings

Sean Connery's Edinburgh tone, was recognised as the most pleasant accent within the United Kingdom by the BBCs commissioned poll. Pierce Brosnan, was also high up the rankings, who was born in the republic of Ireland, and was raised in England and America. However, even more successful with the public was Sir Trevor McDonald who was originally born in Trinidad, was found to have a very authoritative voice which identified him to listeners easily.

Respondents also note that they prefer accents local to them, as they can understand local dialect and language. Scots said they loved Ewan McGregor's Perthshire accent, whereas the English found Hugh Grant's accent more attractive for a male; and the welsh preferred listening to the welsh actor Richard Burton.

 

Analysis

I think the results found are very biased as to where the respondents may live, as the results show they prefer listening to people who live local to them. This could be because they find it easier to relate to their chosen language, dialect and lexical variation.

 

Conclusion

To conclude this research, I believe that results on who is said to have the most interesting and likeable accent depend on who answered the survey. Their answers rely on where they are from in the United Kingdom, which affects what accents they prefer.