@@fatboygaming451 because most of us was told speak popa and most of us was told should speak the way we do at school but if you look into it's oldest accents in uk
Schools also pushed it out of us. The amount of times I heard "speak properly" was unreal. The black country accent is seen as one of the oldest accents in the UK. I love my black country accent, and when I'm with my mates it flows so freely, but when I'm at work it's definitely restricted
From southern Utah and when the Mormons settled they sent all the converts from the Midlands to settle down here. We pronounce mountains without the t. I find it easy to follow even a strong Black Country accent. My family was from Dudley.
All my family come from the black country and I've just done a dna test and I've got distant relatives in Utah around spring city maybe these were the descendants of the converts that settled over there.
My ancestor Elijah Tams was born in the Black Country, but emigrated to the US in the 19th century. He adopted Mormonism, joined a wagon train and helped to establish the town of Paradise in Utah.
I’m from north Birmingham and I have a lot of friends from West Brom/Walsall and I love it, it makes me feel at home ! I used to have a babysitter from the Black Country and I always loved the way she said ‘spoon’ (spewun). You made a good point about how people perceive class and stereotypes through accents and I definitely agree
I'm from the south of Sweden and I like you're accent. I think it sounds soft, natural and very pleasant to listen to. Maybe your voice contributes to that :-) . I don't know if I'm right but the further northin the uk the accent is from the more of scandinavian influence there seem to be. Could be wrong but I hear some similarities between us.
We probably have lots of words in our vocabulary which derive from your ancesters when they came here on ‘Holidays’ 😂 greetings from Cradley Heath where I was born.
I’m a recent transplant to Birmingham from the states. Sometimes I struggle with the accent, but I’m learning, and I think it’s lovely. And the people are lovely too. Thanks for the video. 😊
I'm born and raised in Washington DC, and I adore the Brummy and Black Country accent. To me, it speaks more to deeply rooted culture, and less to trying to acquiesce to social standards and norms. The more drawn out London accent, sounds a bit more high brow but gives the idea of superiority issues. Lol I LOVE my London folks, don't get me wrong, but it's just the working class vibe, the salt of the earth vibe, that seems to be a bit more inviting. ❤ Just an opinion and we know how those are. Lol
i am from gornal and love the flag, and how we talk. its a special place the people are great we know each other and there always a hello from people. where else would you find that these days.
I can relate so much to this. I'm from just outside Wolverhampton and depending on who asks me, depends on where I would say I'm from because I was worried about the stereotypes of the black country accent. But now I live abroad and no one even knows where Wolverhampton is, let alone if it is a "good" accent of not. 😅
I can hear the difference in the different UK accents although being from Canada , I couldn’t begin to identify where a person lives based on the accent . I think they are all charming and you have a wonderful calm way of speaking . I’m in Ontario , across from Detroit Michigan , and some people further into Ontario ( past Toronto ) sometimes say we sound “American “, and yet my American friends laugh when we say words like “ about “( people from Michigan think we say “ A-boot”) and the word “ out “ .. they claim we say “ OOt “ .. they also notice when we say “ eh “ at the end of a sentence . I feel people from Newfoundland and Labrador have the most pronounced accent in Canada .
Savannah - Don't feel like you need to fit in, if you're middle class, then so be it!! I am from Wolves, went to university in Bristol, worked in London, then moved to the States. My accent is now somewhat London/Oxford/neutral, etc. A lot of people do ask where's my Black Country accent? Well, given my global way of life, I have somewhat of a global accent.!
I stumbled on this video(probably because I'm from the black county)You raise some very interesting points, and it's nice to see someone doing so well from the region . I hope it's something you will keep in your heart and can be proud of You have a very bright future ahead of you, and I wish you well🏳️⚧️
I like all the UK accents and I remember many of them from my youth when we travelled UK wide. However, over the past 30 years those accents have slowly become weaker as travel and social media has increased. I've had my accent described by many as "posh" but to me I've lost my accent completely and adopted this Londonesque style of speaking which has left me identity void. Don't lose your accent or feel others are judging you by it after all they're the ones being saft.
in the u.s. regional accents are disappearing fast i'mm 55 and clearly remember when regional american and canadian accents were strong and noticeable but like you said unfortunate side effect of modern media. i haven't been to the u.k. in years but ive read alot of people online complaining that the accents are becoming "americanized" and they're very unhappy about it which i can definitely understand.
I'm from Kidderminster, so have the accent, but not technically in the Black Country because weren't above the coal seam, even though an 1868 written description of it's area included Kidderminster,
Wolverhampton was NEVER in the Black Country - they hadn't got City status and wanted to elevate their importance so, in the 1970/1980s, they put signs up to say "Wolverhampton - in the black country." The Black Country was mainly Tipton, Netherton, Sedgley, Dudley etc.
Absolutely this. The coal seam that the Black country grew around never stretched to Wolvo. Even quite a few Wolvo folk I know will say they aren't Black Country
Hello Savannah. I found this very interesting. I was born in and I’m still in Streetly which is between Walsall and Sutton Coldfield, north Birmingham. I have friends from Dudley who have thick Black Country accents and I have friends who are from more inner city Birmingham and have definite Brummie accents. I feel my immediate family have some brummie ‘wordisms’ and a slight accent but not a pronounced brummie accent. I have cousins who are from south Birmingham and have more defined brummie accents. Neither of my sons have any brummie accent at all! Accents are a strange thing! Xx
I'm from Stourbridge. I don't really have a strong BC accent compared to people who live in Dudley or Wolverhampton areas. People always ask me 'Are you from Birmingham?' which is annoying because when I explain that I am from the Black Country, they ask where is it? I simply say to them ANYTHING west of the M5 to Birmingham is the Black Country. People's ignorance of the area I am from does get irritating sometimes although it is unintentional.
Well West of the M5 Accept for parts of Smethwick or The Hawthorns the border with Brum is just after it. It isn't a straight border it is wriggles around most of it though does fall West Of The M5
Those who say its ugly are ignorant!!!! The accent belongs to your Anglo Saxon ancestors ( germans) Danes (vikings) its ancient as us the language !!!! Not slang at all but ancient germanic sounds and words. Ancient Town names like Darlaston Ton ( is Saxon for town) willenhall was (William's hall ) a local chief !! Wednesfield was Wotans field or Odins field viking god !! After the famous battle there. Really learn ya history. Your to be proud of ya accent !! Ya bin Saxons !!!
Im an American and live in the west midlands. I’ve been going through black country every week for ⚽️. To be more specific, Dudley. The accent is not an issue for me
@@anthonylong9067 .....and why from NorCal to Dudley of all places?? No disrespect to Dudley, but its hardly the most desired locations to live in the UK.... .
Your accent is definitely more “posh” sounding than what I’ve heard. I moved from Swindon, Staffordshire when I was 7 and still have a bit of my accent. Especially when I go home, it come flooding back. Yow cun tek the boy out of the Black Country but yow cor tek the Black Country out of the boy.
I know I’m late but I am from the Black Country, I am from Walsall, where Noddy Holder of Slade is from, for those who don’t know, Wolverhampton isn’t far from Walsall, there’s actually a bus route from Walsall to Wolverhampton
@@SavannahPhillipss I live in a small place Called Bentley which comes under Walsall just passed J10 M6 and I used to catch the 529 into Walsall for college
This young lady is very articulate and isn't really speaking in a Black Country accent so if you're from overseas or outside of the area, this won't be very helpful to the ear! Black Country is quite flat & vowel-y (not a real word) but the emphasis on some vowels. Also some pronouns are quite shocking - instead of saying "She's off to the shops." You're more likely to hear "Her's of to tha' shops". The only example I think of would have been the fictional character Amy Turtle from Crossroads - "But I aye going there"
I am a Black Country boy and I was always told that the term came from the fact that coal was so near the surface that you could see it as you walked around. Of course, that has always been dug up.
My Dad always used to say that you should be proud of your accent wherever you're from because basically that's where you are from, there is nothing wrong with it, in fact, the Yorkshire accent is far more broad. I was born, raised and still live in Willenhall.
As a Brummie. I moved to the Cannock area and fitted right in .As my Dad was from Hednesford stock, etc. I think that Peaky Blinders' accents were more London South. Not Midlands. Keep up your good work.
Ok, before anyone gets their knickers in a knot. She is discussing the perception of others that don’t know the area. She’s right regarding how the accent is perceived. I love my Black Country background and have an accent. However, if you have a position out of the area, especially in London, it is still perceived negatively in a professional setting. It does not mean anyone is ashamed of their roots or is pretentious. It’s just reality.
Oh dear, I wish I learnt English with black country accent (not just for the peaky blinders) but for me Hispanic fella, somehow your accent is easier (letter A) . I lived in Jamaica for nine yrs (2002-09) and I used to listen BBC news and the Barclays premier League. And one of the accents I loved to hear the most was when there was a Newcastle or Birmingham game.
Wolverhampton is Black Country the City Centre, Molienux and the areas leading to Wednesfield, Bilston, Willenhall and Dudley but beyond Chapel Ash Island or Maybe Penn that isn't the Black Country Wolves play in the Black Country but train in Staffordshire in Compton despite being a mile or two from the Ground to the Training Ground. Also nothing ugly about our Accent I was speaking to a Scotsman on the Internet who went to the Pie Factory and he loves the word Bostin. We cor help we way come from or ow we spake. I think a lot of the stigma comes from us being bunged in the Brummies who have the thickest sounding Accent in the UK. A survey on West Brom Fans or Football Fans showed West Brom Fans were intelligent amongst other fans
I don't support either team so I'm neutral but I am very interested in the black country's invisible borders if you look online at the coal authorities map you'll find Wolverhampton City centre is is outside the black country coalfield by at least a mile, molineux further still. Hawthorns is also outside but only by a few hundred yards west brom town centre is inside. Even Walsall's bescot stadium is just outside but only by a stones throw. The only team actually inside is Halesowen town fc.
Ironically Wolverhampton was thought of the Capital or Metropolis of the Black Country when it truly existed back in the 1850s-1930s. This was because the area thought of as the Black Country lay mainly in Staffordshire, when county status was important to people. Dudley, lying in Worcestershire back then, couldn't claim Capital status of a region mainly in adjoining county. Can't tell you are from the region at all, you have a refined middle class accent. Not a criticism!
That may of been been the opinion of some journalists at the time but doesn't necessarily mean it was true. For example Elihu Burritt thought Birmingham was the capital but you'd struggle to find anyone today that agreed with him on that! East Wolverhampton is undoubtedly black country but the fact the city centre lays off the coalfield denies it any right to claim capital status and as the city grew north and west more and more of the area Wolverhampton residents live fell ouside of the black country. I'm not anti Wolverhampton by the way but I am a descendant of chain makers and nail makers of the Worcestershire sections of the black country mushroom green and lye waste so feel I should stand up for it!
@@MidlandsClassicMotors I partly agree, but you are presuming the BC was defined by the coalfield when in fact there is no evidence to suggest that is true. If you look at the views of local people, local papers including those in Dudley, from the key industrial period 1830-1900, they all considered Wolverhampton the Capital. I accept western Wolverhampton wasn't BC but then the likes of Tettenhall and Penn were separate villages anyway at that time. Sedgley also lies off the coalfield yet made nails and chains, of course it is BC but if you base it on the coal seam it isn't. But as I said, back then, the coalfields limits were certainly not seen as the defining feature of the BC, they were part of it yes but teh iron works and brick works were key defining factors. The main part of the BC iron industry was based in central and east Wolverhampton where 15,000 people were employed in its vast ironworks. It had the worst smog, as seen from Dudley castle. Only the BC Society in 1968 proposed that the BC was defined by the limits of the coal seam, this was the first time that was proposed. Dudley was never considered teh traditional Capital of the BC because it lay in an enclave of Worcestershire yet the great BC iron industry and coalfield lay predominantly in Staffordshire, so it couldn't claim Capital of an area that lay primarily lay in an adjoining County. Nowadays we all live in the all-unifying West Midlands, but back then county status was important to people.
@OldWolflad it is interesting that Sedgley is thought of a core black country town despite not being on the coalfield. Also, interesting how Walsall is generally thought of as more black country than Wolverhampton despite its town centre also laying just off the coalfield. I don't agree solely with the black country societys definition, i grew up in Wordsley and Kingswinford both of which lie only partly on the coalfield and that definition would dismiss Wordsleys glass manufacturing industry which i condider black country. When I was a child I was told the black country was only Cradley, the Lye, Netherton, Brierley hill, Cradley heath, Old hill and Quarry bank and I lived outside it wasn't until I was much older and did my own research that i didcovered it was a much larger area and the definition was so complex. I don't doubt Wolverhampton was thought of as much more a black country town during the industrial revolution than it is today but for whatever reason it may be it seems to of culturally taken a step away from it. Personally i don't really feel there is a capital, Dudley is just the best fit as its the largest town that is surrounded on all sides by other black country towns and is at the geographical centre i think some of the smaller towns are more black country than Dudley to be honest such as Tipton, Netherton, Bilston etc. I don't know when the first recorded use of the term black country was applied to the Worcestershire section but ive got a map of the area in 1835 and it shows plenty of iron works, collierys and furnaces on the Worcestershire part also so it must of been equally black. Unfortunately there's nobody alive today who can really answer the question.
@OldWolflad I'm just reading your book again for the second time and I'm partly In agreement, but partly still in agreement with the black country society. From my own research I agree with you that the iron as well the coal defined the original black country and the heaviest concentration of the iron works was between horseley fields and Bilston and that the black country society claim that were was open pasture between the mineral plateau and Wolverhampton is incorrect and appears to be purposly misleading. However I do agree with their claim that the black country came about around where the 10 yard seam came to the surface I emphasise around more than necessarily on as the they seem to have been purposely built around the canal network, after researching exactly where the thick seam came to the surface which can be found with a bit of research from the British geological surveys maps portal, it did indeed come to the surface very close to the centre of Wolverhampton at rough hills, monmore green and parkfield. Judging from the tithe maps from the 1820s and the cassini map of 1834 the heaviest of the iron workings and colliery’s appears to be from East Wolverhampton through Coseley bilston Tipton Darlaston Wednesbury into the west part of west Bromwich which align closely with the thick seams outcrop, however the part that I disagree with you over is the other area where the thick coal outcrops to the south of Dudley was also heavily industrialised at this running from Gornal through to Russell hall down through Netherton Brierley hill Quarry bank Cradley and lye infact going from the interpretive maps available on Dudley councils website going back to 1750 these where some of the first areas industrialised before the black country really existed. As you said in the book county status was important to people back then but part of the southern black country was already heavily industrialised by at least the 1820s so well before the name existed was in also in Staffordshire such as Brierley hill and Amblecote. However I agree the first references known are referring to the northern section only.
Hi Alex, you're putting yourself through the mill mate, reading it once is bad enough (:-, but thank you. I am undoubtedly very defensive about Wolverhampton, but that is only because it is so badly let down by those responsible for promoting BC history in more recent times. Firstly, I don't doubt that the thick seam is a very important part of the whole BC legacy, but actually the uncelebrated thin seam around Wolverhampton was arguably more important, because that is where the rich seams of ironstone were found - adjacent to the thin seam and not so rich adjacent to the thick seam. The Dudley iron works often transported iron ore mined in Wolverhampton to smelt. The thin seam miners were worse paid than their thick seam compatriots, and it was a harsh occupation. In terms of defining exactly what or where the original BC was, it has nothing to do with merit or what I think, I was merely trying to highlight the prevalent point of view of those at the time it truly existed, through numerous writers both local and national, but also through local eyes of 1800s BC people. Back then, you barely saw the thick coal seam mentioned as a defining feature. Although undoubtedly an important component, it was the smog and bleakness that seemed to have gained it its name 'Black Country'. This is where, during the mid-1800s, as viewed from Dudley Castle, writers noted that the worst smog lay over central Wolverhampton and Bilston, in sharp contrast to cleanliness over the rolling Rowley hills of Netherton. The first quotes to be found of 'Black Country' refer to Wolverhampton. Initially, the use of the term 'Black Country' seemed to refer to the South Staffordshire section only. This 'County-issue' for Dudley town (Worcestershire) was even highlighted by the editor of the 'Dudley Chronicle' on 7 June 1913, who wrote: - "Some correspondence has taken place this week as to which town is the 'Capital of the Black Country'. The honour is claimed for Wolverhampton, but a writer has now also claimed it for Dudley. I don't think there will be too much quarrelling in Dudley. As a matter of fact, Dudley is by no means 'Black Country', although surrounded by it. Dudley too, is in Worcestershire while the generic term 'Black Country' has, I always understood, been taken to mean the iron and coal-producing fields of South Staffordshire. Dudley can afford to let that honour pass". This original 'South Staffordshire-only Black Country' view was also confirmed by then local-writer and headmaster at a North Worcestershire elementary school Charles Allen, who wrote the following on 4 March 1905: - "Used in a general sense, the term Black Country includes the whole of South Staffordshire, with adjacent parts of Worcestershire and Warwickshire, although the name was 'originally' given to South Staffordshire alone". Only since the creation of the BC Society in the 1960s has the drive to expel Wolverhampton gathered pace, though its western residents (often leafy suburbs) are only too pleased to accept that status of being 'outside'. I suspect the rest of Wolverhampton people are confused and views are mixed. My own ancestors were ironstone miners, forgemen, or cowmen! A reflection of perhaps of when agricultural occupations and environments in the region were transformed by the Industrial Revolution. Irrespective of modern opinion, the original Black Country was clearly considered to be a different entity to that routinely proposed today, and that I think is the crux of my argument mate. I tried to present factual arguments, its nothing to do with my personal opinion which admittedly counts for little.@@MidlandsClassicMotors
For me, it sounds beautiful, posh in the good sense, I also like the northern accent! I had a friend from Birmingham when I was in the UK in 1989 at Lancs Polytechnic, Hi John, it's me the lad from Ecuador, Heniber!
Keep Aat of thee hoss road is me advoice to anybody guin ta tha black cuntry. N if ya dow ate ya tay, yal goo withaat. Actually, Northwich and Middlewich and around Cheshire was worse environmentally with all the coal fired drying chimneys used to dry out the salt from the salt mine extracted using high pressure steam. Makes the black in the black country less authentic. Though I remember the sky glowing red when the bottoms of the furnaces and qublows (cupola) was dropped. We used to stand outside the Packhorse pub top of Netherton watching the red glow from Round Oak Steelworks in Brierley Hill. Further, I remember winning a very important case in Wolverhampton in the 1990s when Wolverhampton Council tried to prosecute me using Heseltines Council tax enforcement act. Heseltine was so ruthless in forcing through the high Council taxes to pay for the profits of commercial service providers with the evil thatchers privatisation scams, he organised a training company to go around all the councils training them up on the enforcement act. Except, they left much of the clauses and guidelines out of the training. After reading that Wolverhampton had the record for the largest number imprisoned I took it upon myself to investigate. I'd already investigated Heseltine some yrars ago when I found out he'd been doctoring European laws. I read the legislation and rented a flat off a pal then waited for the tax demand. When the demand came I realised it was incorrect and appealed explaining where they'd gone wrong, which the council decided to ignore and instead sent me the prosecution summons. Just a day before the hearing I got another letter from the council apologising saying I was right but not cancelling the trial. I attended and before the time the council asked to have a word. Being Dudley born I told them they should be ashamed of themselves helping the nazi tories rip everyone off and told them to fuk off. In the hearing I requested a solicitor, hisneyes nearly popped out when i showed him the previous days council letter, they were all expecting me to get a jail sentence. The magistrates even had the cheek to ask how I wanted to plead, to which I told him, "If ya listen tomthem, you'll getbinto trouble ' They decided to adjourn the hearing. The next day I had another letter off the council asking me how much money I wanted. I don't do these things for money, cheeky sods. After a few days it came over the radio that ALL COUNCILS WERE ABANDONING PROSECUTIONS AND HAVING TO BE RETRAINED. BUT WHAT ABOUT ALL THE POOR BUGGERS WHO'D ALREADY GONE TO JAIL ?
:,) As an American, I love all UK accents because there's a different melody to them. I realize that it's classism/elitism - it's like how we tend to make fun of southern accents in the usa. Curse you class warfare.
OK you have right if you say that for people from outside UK it sounds a bit easier this black country accent. Let me tell you so I'm Hungarian by mother language born in Romania especially in székelyland. OK maybe it's not so important but for me being Hungarian its more easier than I think any other accent of English. OK maybe I haven't heard all of them but I like it so much the Black Country accent. By the other hand I'm fan of Judas Priest they from black country as well 🤟
Oh by the other hand can you imagine that by example in a single county in Transylvania [Romania] especially székelyland ,county Hargita ,we having three different accent 😂
Savannah, you are a lovely lady with a wonderful accent. Just a pleasant hint of the accent but not overpowering. I am a Brummie and my accent is not strong either , but ask me where I am from and the way I say Birmingham is a give away. I worked for many years in Worcester where may people thought I was posh 😂. I could listen to you all day 👍
Sorry , I don't hear you speaking with a Black Country accent. If you would like to hear what it sounds like check out the comedy character Doreen Tipton, portrayed by an actress but still a very good attempt.
@@SavannahPhillipssAlso it’s interesting that here in the USA accents are mainly an indication of regions, whereas education or economic/social class are not the primary thought upon hearing various accents here. I feel sad it’s not like that in the UK-BUT I think it’s maybe better to be a UK citizen THESE days than an American… Also, any UK accent will be met with delight in America and you’d be treated a bit like a celebrity here as you may know 😊.
my great gramma was british, and after 40 years of her being in the US, sounds like her accent...very much her "been there," i recall. but she was originally from the south. so, yeah, to me, sounds the most like the brit-american accent or transcontinental than any other brit accent to me....i do like it lots as a yank! thanks for sharing. i think your accent is beautiful! :D.
I love the Black Country dialect. It's one of the nicest dialects in the UK.
Tar for tha mate yam a guy en ay ya 😉✌️
We hate our accent, but others love it. Never understand why.
It's not an accent, it's a dialect.
@@fatboygaming451 because most of us was told speak popa and most of us was told should speak the way we do at school but if you look into it's oldest accents in uk
The Dudley accent is truly special.
There’s nothing ugly about the Black Country accent - I think it’s very sing song, and quite beautiful. Ay it.
Schools also pushed it out of us. The amount of times I heard "speak properly" was unreal. The black country accent is seen as one of the oldest accents in the UK. I love my black country accent, and when I'm with my mates it flows so freely, but when I'm at work it's definitely restricted
There is absolutely nothing ugly about a Black Country accent !!!!!! . I am incredibly proud of my heritage and the way I speak.
The flag was designed by a 12 year old girl it’s not a monstrosity
It's one of the friendliest and warm accents in the uk
The flag is history, the accent is not ugly.
Hello from Europe. In my opinion it's one of the most beautiful accents!!! Sure it's NOT ugly.
From southern Utah and when the Mormons settled they sent all the converts from the Midlands to settle down here. We pronounce mountains without the t. I find it easy to follow even a strong Black Country accent. My family was from Dudley.
All my family come from the black country and I've just done a dna test and I've got distant relatives in Utah around spring city maybe these were the descendants of the converts that settled over there.
My ancestor Elijah Tams was born in the Black Country, but emigrated to the US in the 19th century. He adopted Mormonism, joined a wagon train and helped to establish the town of Paradise in Utah.
I’m from Utah and my dad is from Warwickshire. I can definitely see the similarities between the two accents, but I’ve never thought about it before.
I’m from north Birmingham and I have a lot of friends from West Brom/Walsall and I love it, it makes me feel at home ! I used to have a babysitter from the Black Country and I always loved the way she said ‘spoon’ (spewun). You made a good point about how people perceive class and stereotypes through accents and I definitely agree
thank you ☺
Born Oldbury, support West Brom and proud of heritage. Wolverhampton does not qualify.
I'm from the south of Sweden and I like you're accent. I think it sounds soft, natural and very pleasant to listen to. Maybe your voice contributes to that :-) . I don't know if I'm right but the further northin the uk the accent is from the more of scandinavian influence there seem to be. Could be wrong but I hear some similarities between us.
We probably have lots of words in our vocabulary which derive from your ancesters when they came here on ‘Holidays’ 😂 greetings from Cradley Heath where I was born.
I’m a recent transplant to Birmingham from the states. Sometimes I struggle with the accent, but I’m learning, and I think it’s lovely. And the people are lovely too. Thanks for the video. 😊
I'm born and raised in Washington DC, and I adore the Brummy and Black Country accent. To me, it speaks more to deeply rooted culture, and less to trying to acquiesce to social standards and norms. The more drawn out London accent, sounds a bit more high brow but gives the idea of superiority issues. Lol I LOVE my London folks, don't get me wrong, but it's just the working class vibe, the salt of the earth vibe, that seems to be a bit more inviting. ❤ Just an opinion and we know how those are. Lol
i am from gornal and love the flag, and how we talk. its a special place the people are great we know each other and there always a hello from people. where else would you find that these days.
I can relate so much to this. I'm from just outside Wolverhampton and depending on who asks me, depends on where I would say I'm from because I was worried about the stereotypes of the black country accent. But now I live abroad and no one even knows where Wolverhampton is, let alone if it is a "good" accent of not. 😅
I can hear the difference in the different UK accents although being from Canada , I couldn’t begin to identify where a person lives based on the accent . I think they are all charming and you have a wonderful calm way of speaking .
I’m in Ontario , across from Detroit Michigan , and some people further into Ontario ( past Toronto ) sometimes say we sound “American “, and yet my American friends laugh when we say words like “ about “( people from Michigan think we say
“ A-boot”) and the word “ out “ .. they claim we say “ OOt “ .. they also notice when we say “ eh “ at the end of a sentence .
I feel people from Newfoundland and Labrador have the most pronounced accent in Canada .
To be fair she is trying hard not have a real yam yam accent.
Savannah - Don't feel like you need to fit in, if you're middle class, then so be it!! I am from Wolves, went to university in Bristol, worked in London, then moved to the States. My accent is now somewhat London/Oxford/neutral, etc. A lot of people do ask where's my Black Country accent? Well, given my global way of life, I have somewhat of a global accent.!
I stumbled on this video(probably because I'm from the black county)You raise some very interesting points, and it's nice to see someone doing so well from the region . I hope it's something you will keep in your heart and can be proud of You have a very bright future ahead of you, and I wish you well🏳️⚧️
I like all the UK accents and I remember many of them from my youth when we travelled UK wide. However, over the past 30 years those accents have slowly become weaker as travel and social media has increased. I've had my accent described by many as "posh" but to me I've lost my accent completely and adopted this Londonesque style of speaking which has left me identity void. Don't lose your accent or feel others are judging you by it after all they're the ones being saft.
in the u.s. regional accents are disappearing fast i'mm 55 and clearly remember when regional american and canadian accents were strong and noticeable but like you said unfortunate side effect of modern media. i haven't been to the u.k. in years but ive read alot of people online complaining that the accents are becoming "americanized" and they're very unhappy about it which i can definitely understand.
I'm from Kidderminster, so have the accent, but not technically in the Black Country because weren't above the coal seam, even though an 1868 written description of it's area included Kidderminster,
Wolverhampton was NEVER in the Black Country - they hadn't got City status and wanted to elevate their importance so, in the 1970/1980s, they put signs up to say "Wolverhampton - in the black country." The Black Country was mainly Tipton, Netherton, Sedgley, Dudley etc.
What a load of old bollocks.
Absolutely this. The coal seam that the Black country grew around never stretched to Wolvo. Even quite a few Wolvo folk I know will say they aren't Black Country
Hello Savannah. I found this very interesting. I was born in and I’m still in Streetly which is between Walsall and Sutton Coldfield, north Birmingham. I have friends from Dudley who have thick Black Country accents and I have friends who are from more inner city Birmingham and have definite Brummie accents. I feel my immediate family have some brummie ‘wordisms’ and a slight accent but not a pronounced brummie accent. I have cousins who are from south Birmingham and have more defined brummie accents. Neither of my sons have any brummie accent at all!
Accents are a strange thing! Xx
I'm from Stourbridge. I don't really have a strong BC accent compared to people who live in Dudley or Wolverhampton areas. People always ask me 'Are you from Birmingham?' which is annoying because when I explain that I am from the Black Country, they ask where is it? I simply say to them ANYTHING west of the M5 to Birmingham is the Black Country. People's ignorance of the area I am from does get irritating sometimes although it is unintentional.
Well West of the M5 Accept for parts of Smethwick or The Hawthorns the border with Brum is just after it. It isn't a straight border it is wriggles around most of it though does fall West Of The M5
I learned about the Yam Yam accent from listening to Rob Halford of Judas Priest's book. He grew up in Walsall.
Those who say its ugly are ignorant!!!!
The accent belongs to your Anglo Saxon ancestors ( germans) Danes (vikings) its ancient as us the language !!!! Not slang at all but ancient germanic sounds and words.
Ancient Town names like Darlaston Ton ( is Saxon for town) willenhall was (William's hall ) a local chief !! Wednesfield was Wotans field or Odins field viking god !! After the famous battle there.
Really learn ya history.
Your to be proud of ya accent !! Ya bin Saxons !!!
I love all the northern accents, my mam was a Mancunian and that accent is part of my soul. I'm a Landaner😂
Nothing like a Black country accent, she now speaks brummie, real Black country accents dow sound like that cocka
Im an American and live in the west midlands. I’ve been going through black country every week for ⚽️. To be more specific, Dudley. The accent is not an issue for me
thats funny, I have not seen many Americans relocate from the US to the West Midlands. I am from Wolves and now live in California!
@@SpeedBird001 small world innit? Im from Northern California
@@anthonylong9067 oh wow !!! Where in NorCal? We are just outside of San Francisco on the East Bay!
@@anthonylong9067 .....and why from NorCal to Dudley of all places?? No disrespect to Dudley, but its hardly the most desired locations to live in the UK.... .
Yam fit yo are bab tbf yo Dow souwnd much like a yam. Yam bab 😂😂😂
Your accent is definitely more “posh” sounding than what I’ve heard. I moved from Swindon, Staffordshire when I was 7 and still have a bit of my accent. Especially when I go home, it come flooding back. Yow cun tek the boy out of the Black Country but yow cor tek the Black Country out of the boy.
I know I’m late but I am from the Black Country, I am from Walsall, where Noddy Holder of Slade is from, for those who don’t know, Wolverhampton isn’t far from Walsall, there’s actually a bus route from Walsall to Wolverhampton
Yes, the 529! I used to get it to school :)
@@SavannahPhillipss I live in a small place Called Bentley which comes under Walsall just passed J10 M6 and I used to catch the 529 into Walsall for college
They always say our accent sound like farmer's
This young lady is very articulate and isn't really speaking in a Black Country accent so if you're from overseas or outside of the area, this won't be very helpful to the ear! Black Country is quite flat & vowel-y (not a real word) but the emphasis on some vowels. Also some pronouns are quite shocking - instead of saying "She's off to the shops." You're more likely to hear "Her's of to tha' shops". The only example I think of would have been the fictional character Amy Turtle from Crossroads - "But I aye going there"
I am a Black Country boy and I was always told that the term came from the fact that coal was so near the surface that you could see it as you walked around. Of course, that has always been dug up.
My Dad always used to say that you should be proud of your accent wherever you're from because basically that's where you are from, there is nothing wrong with it, in fact, the Yorkshire accent is far more broad. I was born, raised and still live in Willenhall.
As a Brummie. I moved to the Cannock area and fitted right in .As my Dad was from Hednesford stock, etc.
I think that Peaky Blinders' accents were more London South. Not Midlands.
Keep up your good work.
Ok, before anyone gets their knickers in a knot. She is discussing the perception of others that don’t know the area. She’s right regarding how the accent is perceived. I love my Black Country background and have an accent. However, if you have a position out of the area, especially in London, it is still perceived negatively in a professional setting. It does not mean anyone is ashamed of their roots or is pretentious. It’s just reality.
She is toning down her accent a lot for a Black Country woman from Dudley. I like the British Countryside regional and sub-regional accents.
Like all accents, if you listen hard enough and long enough, you appreciate the difference....Black Country accent always sounds beautiful to me
As a fellow black countrymun the accent I the best
Oh dear, I wish I learnt English with black country accent (not just for the peaky blinders) but for me Hispanic fella, somehow your accent is easier (letter A) . I lived in Jamaica for nine yrs (2002-09) and I used to listen BBC news and the Barclays premier League. And one of the accents I loved to hear the most was when there was a Newcastle or Birmingham game.
Wolverhampton is Black Country the City Centre, Molienux and the areas leading to Wednesfield, Bilston, Willenhall and Dudley but beyond Chapel Ash Island or Maybe Penn that isn't the Black Country Wolves play in the Black Country but train in Staffordshire in Compton despite being a mile or two from the Ground to the Training Ground. Also nothing ugly about our Accent I was speaking to a Scotsman on the Internet who went to the Pie Factory and he loves the word Bostin. We cor help we way come from or ow we spake. I think a lot of the stigma comes from us being bunged in the Brummies who have the thickest sounding Accent in the UK. A survey on West Brom Fans or Football Fans showed West Brom Fans were intelligent amongst other fans
I don't support either team so I'm neutral but I am very interested in the black country's invisible borders if you look online at the coal authorities map you'll find Wolverhampton City centre is is outside the black country coalfield by at least a mile, molineux further still. Hawthorns is also outside but only by a few hundred yards west brom town centre is inside. Even Walsall's bescot stadium is just outside but only by a stones throw. The only team actually inside is Halesowen town fc.
I love Anya chalotra and the way she talks and I guess she has the same accent?
As a swedish person this accent is lovely to hear!
Thank you so much! That’s so coincidental you would say that - we are from the same suburb of Wolverhampton!
@@SavannahPhillipss Really? That is cool!
I was looking for black country accent and i found this video. Very nice your explanations.🇧🇷
Ironically Wolverhampton was thought of the Capital or Metropolis of the Black Country when it truly existed back in the 1850s-1930s. This was because the area thought of as the Black Country lay mainly in Staffordshire, when county status was important to people. Dudley, lying in Worcestershire back then, couldn't claim Capital status of a region mainly in adjoining county. Can't tell you are from the region at all, you have a refined middle class accent. Not a criticism!
That may of been been the opinion of some journalists at the time but doesn't necessarily mean it was true. For example Elihu Burritt thought Birmingham was the capital but you'd struggle to find anyone today that agreed with him on that! East Wolverhampton is undoubtedly black country but the fact the city centre lays off the coalfield denies it any right to claim capital status and as the city grew north and west more and more of the area Wolverhampton residents live fell ouside of the black country. I'm not anti Wolverhampton by the way but I am a descendant of chain makers and nail makers of the Worcestershire sections of the black country mushroom green and lye waste so feel I should stand up for it!
@@MidlandsClassicMotors I partly agree, but you are presuming the BC was defined by the coalfield when in fact there is no evidence to suggest that is true. If you look at the views of local people, local papers including those in Dudley, from the key industrial period 1830-1900, they all considered Wolverhampton the Capital. I accept western Wolverhampton wasn't BC but then the likes of Tettenhall and Penn were separate villages anyway at that time. Sedgley also lies off the coalfield yet made nails and chains, of course it is BC but if you base it on the coal seam it isn't. But as I said, back then, the coalfields limits were certainly not seen as the defining feature of the BC, they were part of it yes but teh iron works and brick works were key defining factors. The main part of the BC iron industry was based in central and east Wolverhampton where 15,000 people were employed in its vast ironworks. It had the worst smog, as seen from Dudley castle. Only the BC Society in 1968 proposed that the BC was defined by the limits of the coal seam, this was the first time that was proposed. Dudley was never considered teh traditional Capital of the BC because it lay in an enclave of Worcestershire yet the great BC iron industry and coalfield lay predominantly in Staffordshire, so it couldn't claim Capital of an area that lay primarily lay in an adjoining County. Nowadays we all live in the all-unifying West Midlands, but back then county status was important to people.
@OldWolflad it is interesting that Sedgley is thought of a core black country town despite not being on the coalfield. Also, interesting how Walsall is generally thought of as more black country than Wolverhampton despite its town centre also laying just off the coalfield. I don't agree solely with the black country societys definition, i grew up in Wordsley and Kingswinford both of which lie only partly on the coalfield and that definition would dismiss Wordsleys glass manufacturing industry which i condider black country. When I was a child I was told the black country was only Cradley, the Lye, Netherton, Brierley hill, Cradley heath, Old hill and Quarry bank and I lived outside it wasn't until I was much older and did my own research that i didcovered it was a much larger area and the definition was so complex. I don't doubt Wolverhampton was thought of as much more a black country town during the industrial revolution than it is today but for whatever reason it may be it seems to of culturally taken a step away from it. Personally i don't really feel there is a capital, Dudley is just the best fit as its the largest town that is surrounded on all sides by other black country towns and is at the geographical centre i think some of the smaller towns are more black country than Dudley to be honest such as Tipton, Netherton, Bilston etc. I don't know when the first recorded use of the term black country was applied to the Worcestershire section but ive got a map of the area in 1835 and it shows plenty of iron works, collierys and furnaces on the Worcestershire part also so it must of been equally black. Unfortunately there's nobody alive today who can really answer the question.
@OldWolflad I'm just reading your book again for the second time and I'm partly In agreement, but partly still in agreement with the black country society. From my own research I agree with you that the iron as well the coal defined the original black country and the heaviest concentration of the iron works was between horseley fields and Bilston and that the black country society claim that were was open pasture between the mineral plateau and Wolverhampton is incorrect and appears to be purposly misleading. However I do agree with their claim that the black country came about around where the 10 yard seam came to the surface I emphasise around more than necessarily on as the they seem to have been purposely built around the canal network, after researching exactly where the thick seam came to the surface which can be found with a bit of research from the British geological surveys maps portal, it did indeed come to the surface very close to the centre of Wolverhampton at rough hills, monmore green and parkfield. Judging from the tithe maps from the 1820s and the cassini map of 1834 the heaviest of the iron workings and colliery’s appears to be from East Wolverhampton through Coseley bilston Tipton Darlaston Wednesbury into the west part of west Bromwich which align closely with the thick seams outcrop, however the part that I disagree with you over is the other area where the thick coal outcrops to the south of Dudley was also heavily industrialised at this running from Gornal through to Russell hall down through Netherton Brierley hill Quarry bank Cradley and lye infact going from the interpretive maps available on Dudley councils website going back to 1750 these where some of the first areas industrialised before the black country really existed. As you said in the book county status was important to people back then but part of the southern black country was already heavily industrialised by at least the 1820s so well before the name existed was in also in Staffordshire such as Brierley hill and Amblecote. However I agree the first references known are referring to the northern section only.
Hi Alex, you're putting yourself through the mill mate, reading it once is bad enough (:-, but thank you.
I am undoubtedly very defensive about Wolverhampton, but that is only because it is so badly let down by those responsible for promoting BC history in more recent times.
Firstly, I don't doubt that the thick seam is a very important part of the whole BC legacy, but actually the uncelebrated thin seam around Wolverhampton was arguably more important, because that is where the rich seams of ironstone were found - adjacent to the thin seam and not so rich adjacent to the thick seam. The Dudley iron works often transported iron ore mined in Wolverhampton to smelt. The thin seam miners were worse paid than their thick seam compatriots, and it was a harsh occupation.
In terms of defining exactly what or where the original BC was, it has nothing to do with merit or what I think, I was merely trying to highlight the prevalent point of view of those at the time it truly existed, through numerous writers both local and national, but also through local eyes of 1800s BC people. Back then, you barely saw the thick coal seam mentioned as a defining feature. Although undoubtedly an important component, it was the smog and bleakness that seemed to have gained it its name 'Black Country'. This is where, during the mid-1800s, as viewed from Dudley Castle, writers noted that the worst smog lay over central Wolverhampton and Bilston, in sharp contrast to cleanliness over the rolling Rowley hills of Netherton. The first quotes to be found of 'Black Country' refer to Wolverhampton. Initially, the use of the term 'Black Country' seemed to refer to the South Staffordshire section only.
This 'County-issue' for Dudley town (Worcestershire) was even highlighted by the editor of the 'Dudley Chronicle' on 7 June 1913, who wrote: -
"Some correspondence has taken place this week as to which town is the 'Capital of the Black Country'. The honour is claimed for Wolverhampton, but a writer has now also claimed it for Dudley. I don't think there will be too much quarrelling in Dudley. As a matter of fact, Dudley is by no means 'Black Country', although surrounded by it. Dudley too, is in Worcestershire while the generic term 'Black Country' has, I always understood, been taken to mean the iron and coal-producing fields of South Staffordshire. Dudley can afford to let that honour pass".
This original 'South Staffordshire-only Black Country' view was also confirmed by then local-writer and headmaster at a North Worcestershire elementary school Charles Allen, who wrote the following on 4 March 1905: - "Used in a general sense, the term Black Country includes the whole of South Staffordshire, with adjacent parts of Worcestershire and Warwickshire, although the name was 'originally' given to South Staffordshire alone".
Only since the creation of the BC Society in the 1960s has the drive to expel Wolverhampton gathered pace, though its western residents (often leafy suburbs) are only too pleased to accept that status of being 'outside'. I suspect the rest of Wolverhampton people are confused and views are mixed. My own ancestors were ironstone miners, forgemen, or cowmen! A reflection of perhaps of when agricultural occupations and environments in the region were transformed by the Industrial Revolution.
Irrespective of modern opinion, the original Black Country was clearly considered to be a different entity to that routinely proposed today, and that I think is the crux of my argument mate. I tried to present factual arguments, its nothing to do with my personal opinion which admittedly counts for little.@@MidlandsClassicMotors
For me the moment you describe an accent as 'posh' you've given yourself away as black country, childhood flashbacks are intense.
For me, it sounds beautiful, posh in the good sense, I also like the northern accent! I had a friend from Birmingham when I was in the UK in 1989 at Lancs Polytechnic, Hi John, it's me the lad from Ecuador, Heniber!
Keep Aat of thee hoss road is me advoice to anybody guin ta tha black cuntry.
N if ya dow ate ya tay, yal goo withaat.
Actually, Northwich and Middlewich and around Cheshire was worse environmentally with all the coal fired drying chimneys used to dry out the salt from the salt mine extracted using high pressure steam.
Makes the black in the black country less authentic. Though I remember the sky glowing red when the bottoms of the furnaces and qublows (cupola) was dropped. We used to stand outside the Packhorse pub top of Netherton watching the red glow from Round Oak Steelworks in Brierley Hill.
Further, I remember winning a very important case in Wolverhampton in the 1990s when Wolverhampton Council tried to prosecute me using Heseltines Council tax enforcement act.
Heseltine was so ruthless in forcing through the high Council taxes to pay for the profits of commercial service providers with the evil thatchers privatisation scams, he organised a training company to go around all the councils training them up on the enforcement act.
Except, they left much of the clauses and guidelines out of the training.
After reading that Wolverhampton had the record for the largest number imprisoned I took it upon myself to investigate. I'd already investigated Heseltine some yrars ago when I found out he'd been doctoring European laws.
I read the legislation and rented a flat off a pal then waited for the tax demand. When the demand came I realised it was incorrect and appealed explaining where they'd gone wrong, which the council decided to ignore and instead sent me the prosecution summons.
Just a day before the hearing I got another letter from the council apologising saying I was right but not cancelling the trial.
I attended and before the time the council asked to have a word.
Being Dudley born I told them they should be ashamed of themselves helping the nazi tories rip everyone off and told them to fuk off.
In the hearing I requested a solicitor, hisneyes nearly popped out when i showed him the previous days council letter, they were all expecting me to get a jail sentence.
The magistrates even had the cheek to ask how I wanted to plead, to which I told him, "If ya listen tomthem, you'll getbinto trouble '
They decided to adjourn the hearing.
The next day I had another letter off the council asking me how much money I wanted. I don't do these things for money, cheeky sods.
After a few days it came over the radio that ALL COUNCILS WERE ABANDONING PROSECUTIONS AND HAVING TO BE RETRAINED.
BUT WHAT ABOUT ALL THE POOR BUGGERS WHO'D ALREADY GONE TO JAIL ?
:,) As an American, I love all UK accents because there's a different melody to them. I realize that it's classism/elitism - it's like how we tend to make fun of southern accents in the usa.
Curse you class warfare.
I was trying to work out why I couldn’t hear an accent, then realised we sound the same 😅
How many accents are there in the UK?
All the love from walsall
OK you have right if you say that for people from outside UK it sounds a bit easier this black country accent. Let me tell you so I'm Hungarian by mother language born in Romania especially in székelyland. OK maybe it's not so important but for me being Hungarian its more easier than I think any other accent of English. OK maybe I haven't heard all of them but I like it so much the Black Country accent. By the other hand I'm fan of Judas Priest they from black country as well 🤟
Oh by the other hand can you imagine that by example in a single county in Transylvania [Romania] especially székelyland ,county Hargita ,we having three different accent 😂
The flag is cool. The accent is cool.
I can understand this more than the other accent in the UK. Its not too far from the American accent 🤔
Sounds somewhat Victorian
I loved listening to yaw video bab propper bang on wore it,Core believe how good it was i ay sin any of yaw other video's but this one was alrite.
Yam a propa black countray walla ay ya same as me
@@wolfwest3031 i ay sure if it's a blessing or a curse either way bab we am stuck with it ay we like.
Can’t agree that the flag is a monstrosity!
Sister may Allah guide you sister understand the importance of your life
I've just moved to Dudley w. th my wife. The people near where i live seem to have a much stronger accent than you.
Savannah, you are a lovely lady with a wonderful accent. Just a pleasant hint of the accent but not overpowering. I am a Brummie and my accent is not strong either , but ask me where I am from and the way I say Birmingham is a give away. I worked for many years in Worcester where may people thought I was posh 😂. I could listen to you all day 👍
Am I the only one that thinks yow dow sound like Yowm from the black country? Cor be....
nothing ugly about a yam yam accent . London & Liverpool - yes, grim. Black Country & Brummigen accents are Bostin.
What's wrong with the flag behind you?
Monstrosity of a flag.....cheeky cow.
I love the accent
What’s wrong with our accent nothing at least we r not posh
Black country born...black country bred..strong o the arm and strong o the yed...ay it ar wench😊
Sorry , I don't hear you speaking with a Black Country accent. If you would like to hear what it sounds like check out the comedy character Doreen Tipton, portrayed by an actress but still a very good attempt.
Wolverhampton walsall and Stourbridge is not backcountry.. fact ....tbf if you born n bred backcountry ya never loose ya accent..
Im wolves, can me and walsall join?...
Walsall Bloxwich are proppa back country and sme of Wolverhampton is to its like a 20 mile radius with most in tha area speaking a proper yam yam tung
Can barely hear black country on her tbf
West Brom-👍
There are a million different accents in the Black, let alone Birmingham!
The Black Country and Birmingham is wonderful.
I personally think some uk accents sound idk maybe uneducated is the wrong word. Idk I think yours is very nice.
You resemble Sophie Turner 😊
Thank you! My sister gets told the same thing so there must be a family resemblance 😃😃
@@SavannahPhillipssAlso it’s interesting that here in the USA accents are mainly an indication of regions, whereas education or economic/social class are not the primary thought upon hearing various accents here. I feel sad it’s not like that in the UK-BUT I think it’s maybe better to be a UK citizen THESE days than an American… Also, any UK accent will be met with delight in America and you’d be treated a bit like a celebrity here as you may know 😊.
Fucking Wolverhampton? No chance.
😅??
That flag is very intense! Would have thought it’s for some extremist political movement.
There’s worse ay there
Tbf you don't sound blackcountry not one bit...
Literally
Is a very guy accent doan ya fink
Too much woffle . boring .
How on earth can YOU call something ugly???
She just did
Well you're not speaking in your accent - I can hear your accent anywhere.
So, no thumbs up.
So your saying British black is ugly, sounds kinda racist to me but ok
I couldn’t agree more, this is a despicable act, absolutely despicable…
yall do realise the black country is nothing to do with the race black 😭
@@joanie- why are you being so racist, are you saying things and people who are black aren't unique wow
@@ethanross4948 what are u on about love
Ffs
my great gramma was british, and after 40 years of her being in the US, sounds like her accent...very much her "been there," i recall. but she was originally from the south. so, yeah, to me, sounds the most like the brit-american accent or transcontinental than any other brit accent to me....i do like it lots as a yank! thanks for sharing. i think your accent is beautiful! :D.