“This is the victory Bristol needs”
Actor and radio presenter Joe Sims argued his case for the accent(Image: Bristol Post)
The Bristol accent has regularly sparked something of a debate over the years, from being ranked as the most trustworthy, sexiest, nicest or worst regional accent. But now it has gained a new accolade – it’s been inducted into an unofficial ‘UNESCO list of the world’s greatest accents’.
The Bristol burr – or more specifically the Knowle West accent – was selected for the list being compiled by comedians and presenters Ellis James and John Robins, on their BBC podcast of the same name.
It came through a rigorous vetting process up against the Glaswegian accent, which involved the podcast hosts chatting to someone from Glasgow and someone from Bristol – and that person was Broadchurch actor, BBC Radio Bristol breakfast presenter and professional Bristolian Joe Sims.
Each week on their show, the two comedians put two accents up against each other and select one for their unofficial list of the world’s greatest accents, and specifically wanted the Knowle West accent to be part of their selection process.
They met something of a problem, however, and couldn’t find someone with a Knowle West accent to take part. “We found out that Knowle West was very hard to source,” said John, with Ellis citing Bristol and England rugby star Ellis Genge and music legend Tricky as being potential candidates.
Joe Sims, who is originally from the South Gloucestershire part of Bristol and not even from South Bristol, said he would have to do because he now lives in Knowle. “That’s the thing, Ellis Genge is playing for the Lions so he’s going to be busy. Tricky once produced an album called ‘All the Best from Knowle West’, which is a brilliant name for an album, but I’m afraid you’ll have to make do with me, who lives just across the road in humble Knowle,” he said.
John Robins, who was born and raised in Thornbury but has largely lost any West Country accent he had, highlighted that the Bristol accent is under-represented in the media, politics and national public life. “We don’t hear much of the Bristol accent on our media,” he said, asking Joe Sims if he has to mask his accent to get acting, presenting or voiceover work.
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“It’s a bit of both,” replied Joe. “I think I would be ploughing a bit of a narrow furrow if I was just doing my native brogue. It’s interesting that, because we don’t hear it so often, the people hear my accent and they don’t believe that it’s legit.
“I presented Sarah Beeny’s New Life in the Country, and the amount of people who were going ‘no one from the West Country sounds like that’ and I thought ‘well if you heard me, you should hear me dad, his is even worse,” Joe added.
He cited The Wurzels classic song ‘Thee’s Got’n Where Thee Cassn’t Back’n, Hassn’t’, about a driver who got their new car stuck in Bristol city centre, as his favourite bit of Bristolian. “I think it’s an absolutely brilliant Bristolian phrase. It means you’ve got where you can’t back out, haven’t you?’”
Given 20 seconds to sum up why the Knowle West, or Bristol, accent should be included in the list, he said: “I’m gonna throw myself at the mercy of the jury. We’re no strangers to being at the bargain basement of the conversation when it comes to regional accents. And I’m sick of duking it out with the Brummies. I think we’re absolutely lovely.
John Robins, left, and Ellis James, right, have a popular BBC podcast(Image: BBC)
“I’m proud as punch of coming from the West Country. It’s where all the best people I know are from, from Roni Size and Reprazent to 3D and Massive Attack. We come with a massive amount of culture. We brought you Trip Hop. We’re very laid back, we’re very cautious, and I’ll tell you what, with an accent like mine you’d let me look after your rabbit,” he added.
With that pay-off, the panel chose on a split decision to pick the Bristol accent over the Glasgow accent.
John Robins said the Bristol accent was not globally known. “If you stood outside the Empire State Building and said where does Joe Sims come from, and he was stood next to you talking, I don’t think there would be a single American who’d know that.
“But I want UNESCO to bring Bristol to the world, however I am aware that it’s like I’m arguing against Durham Cathedral and for Turbo Island. Is there not something to be said, though, for the lack of representation for Knowle West? I don’t think we should be just throwing it Glasgow’s way just because it’s a bigger, more familiar accent,” he added.
“This is the victory Bristol needs,” said Joe.