Accents Quote by Peter Ackroyd
“I just wanted to be an ordinary, middle-class person. When I was at Cambridge, I made great efforts to lose the last remnants of my Cockney accent.”
About This Quote
Desire for social mobility leads to shedding regional accents to fit elite norms.
In simple terms: Want to fit in by losing accent.
Key Takeaway
Accept yourself while adapting.
Themes
identity
class
language
Mood
conflicted
aspirational
Type
philosophical
reflective
When to use this quote
- job interviews
- new social circles
- education settings
Key Concepts
sociolinguistics
social mobility
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do you want to change your speech?
- What does “ordinary” mean to you?
A Different Perspective
Accent loss may cause identity conflict.
