Why doesn’t the East Midlands have a distinctive accent in the way others regions do? I know it does have an accent, but it’s mild and very similar to surrounding regions. Compare that to the West Midlands which has a noticeably unique accent.

by Dragonfruit-18

4 comments

  1. As someone who lived in Nottingham for 20 years and with family from Leicester, I’d say the East Midlands has a very distinctive accent (with variations between areas). Just ask anyone to say a word that starts with ‘H’, or ends in ‘Y’ (or ideally both) and enjoy…..

  2. They definitely do. The East Midlands is broad.

    It’s the same with East Anglia, people from Norwich and Cambridge sound completely different.

    We supposedly have between 40-50 dialects so it’s no surprise that some cover a real small area, but will still be unique to others.

  3. Are you from East Midlands by any chance? People never think they have an accent until they go to other parts of the country. I’ve got friends in Derby and there’s definitely an accent! Also, I’m from West Mids and the accent is broad and varied if you travel 30 minutes in any direction!

  4. You answered your own question, it’s because it’s in the middle of the country surrounded by regional accents.

    The northerners view us as having a southern accent, southerners view us as having a harsh northern accent. Also go to north Nottinghamshire and tell me they don’t have a strong accent. A common trait in the East Midlands is dropping letters in words.

    Where I grew up in the Leicestershire border, in the countryside, between Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire, there is a very thick local accent, often described as being near to scooby doo, albeit it is dying out.

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