Following your research into people's attitudes and perceptions of the Birmingham accent, write a paragraph which summarises your main findings and include a personal response to this.
Consider:
-Were these ideas new to you?
Yeah, definately. I wasn't aware that people judged the Birmingham accent so severly. I think their opinions are really harsh.
- Were you aware of your own attitudes towards the accent?
Not really, I don't really judge people, especially towards their accents, I don't think the way someone talks defines them as a person, you shouldn't be judged just because you talk in a particular way - it doesn't change the way you are or how well you'll do in life.
- Do you think that having a Birmingham accent puts people at a disadvantage?
I guess so, if majority of people share the opinion that the Birmingham accent is dirty and undesireable - especially from an employment point of view because they're less likely to get jobs if the employers judge them solely upon their accents.
- Do you think accents matter? Why/why not?
Personally, no. I don't think that accents matter because they don't really affect the way you live your life, i mean you could be judged because of the way you speak but, when it comes down to it, accents are just a small part of who you are and it change how well you'll do in life.
I agree with you Melissa that the way someone talks doesn't define them as a person, however as your research so far might suggest, it seems that unfortunately it MAY sometimes impact how well you do in life due to social assumptions and stereotypes. So perhaps accents do matter...
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