For your report (Bias against working-class and regional accents has not gone away, report finds, 3 November), as a northern student at Nottingham University almost three decades ago, I attended lectures by the late Professor Ron Carter. His “socks on the fourth floor” lecture sticks in my mind as an example of how people used accent features to decide whether others were “like us” or not. In the socks example (quoted from an elevator operator at Bloomingdale’s), research by Michael Halliday showed how wealthy New Yorkers related to people from Cornwall, having heard tapes of conversations as both pronounced their Rs with these words. Encouraging me to retain my Merseyside accent, Professor Carter said: “As long as you’re distinct, that’s all that matters.” He was right – my accent was never a problem.Thomas RyderNottingham
There is a lot of focus on the supposed disadvantages of a northern accent. However, more northern accents are heard on TV these days. What you never hear is a Southwestern accent, unless it’s Stephen Merchant speaking. To talk like me outside of my area is to be subjected to endless “oh rants” and “jokes” with straws and tractors. It’s not just them, oops north, who catch Mickey. Jane Goss Bristol
Kirsty Major’s article reminded me how I could never lose my northern accent because I didn’t know I had it. Several incidents, then, left me wondering. For example, the woman from Kent who said I might live a middle-class life, but I couldn’t really be middle-class and talk like I did. Then the shrew from Shropshire who sent us to an awful pub because they didn’t expect us to like good restaurants. Worst of all, the London cab driver who said that Londoners think people who talk like me must be “educationally substandard”. Frances WorsleyWhaley Bridge, Derbyshire
I arrived in the UK in 1968 but people still notice my Australian accent. During my decades in London, I was chairman of many schools and other organizations with a mix of middle and working class members. My lower background and accent proved to be an advantage in that I was considered neutral should there be mutual suspicions between the two groups. So I’m glad I still have an accent despite being told by a cruel friend: “Ian, you’re not classless. as an Australian you just have no class.” Ian D RichardsonEaling, London
My Birmingham accent paid off. I moved to Buckinghamshire and applied for a teaching job at a posh school. I interviewed the governors and the chief. “Oh dear,” said a governor, “what about her accent?” “No problem,” said the chief. “He’ll get on well with the kids on the estate.” I got the job. Irene ZetieStreetly, West Midlands
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