h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Her interview with Martin Bashir sounded EE? If you agree, she would be a good example for your wider readership

Hi

sorry for the lag on this reply. I've only just worked out that you have to *ask* to be notified of posts to your entries!

Hmm, I think PD's accent was rather closer to RP than EE, and 'marked' RP at that!

In fact, although I can't quite hear it in my head, I suspect Mr Bashir's accent might make a good illustration of RP! He has that very clearly articulated English accent that can result from a (conscious or subconscious) effort to avoid speaking English with a 'foreign' accent of the type often mocked in the simplest form of racist humour. (just think Jim Davidson in his 70ies incarnation!)

For me, a classical example of Estuary English in its newly acceptable form is Mr Chris Evans. He *can* pronounce all those 't's and doesn't *naturally* drop so many 'h's. Perhaps I am being unfair!

For you to suggest Pr Di as an EstEng speaker quite surprises me actually, since neither she nor Mr Bashir produced a single glottal stop (that classic signpost for an EE speaker) in the course of the interview. Are we talking at crossed purposes? If you think I have misunderstood somewhere, or if you can clarify this for me, I look forward to hearing about it.

Once again, sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. I have now clicked the necessary 'button' to let me know about postings here.

Spiff

Sorry - of course I missed your reply.
If glottal stops are compulsory, which I see from your article seems likely on rereading, then she won't do, but she had all the other symptoms.
To me a glottal stop is beyond EE - more cockney/East End who, having been brought up in Essex, is one of those who can slide from one accent through to the other. (my recent Lady Bracknelling proved I can still do an advanced RP)