Job Discussion Forums

Unrung School Bell · Joined: 13 May 2015 Posts: 43

Can anyone identify the accent of the narrator of the Thoughty2 videos? I find them interesting but have a hard time understanding what that guy is saying. I need the closed captions on. The man's entitled to his own regional accent, but how is it he is chosen or chooses to narrate videos? Also the man is such a cold fish. He exudes a complete lack of humanity or warmth. Just the same, I like the series and have watched them all. He's more mysterious than the many mysteries he presents.

kpjf · Joined: 18 Jan 2012 Posts: 385

Although I can't be sure of exact city, I'd say it's Manchester or somewhere around that area.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

There is a continuing battle to present to learners a wide variety of authentic English accents. I know people who still come out with the line that only RP should be used !

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Silly to expect EFL learners in their own countries to understand anyone's very local accent - they have no need. If they ever relocate to an area where there's a strong local accent, and they thus need to understand it, then they'll pick it up in situ. It's far more likely they will need to understand the accents of other non-native speakers of English when using English as a medium of communication.

Sashadroogie · Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2015 2:49 pm Post subject:

Not a particularly hard accent, though, surely?

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Learners should be exposed to different varieties.
I mean like, you know, innit ?

HLJHLJ · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 1218 Location: Ecuador

I don't think it's Manchester, I'd put it more East Mids somewhere. The slight speech impediment doesn't help either.

kpjf · Joined: 18 Jan 2012 Posts: 385

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Wigan.