I found in the Montse’s Blog a description of an 'English class test'. It is very interesting, illustrative and funny. I wasn't aware about most of the 'class indicators' Montse explained so well.After reading Montse’s comprehensive ‘report’ I put myself an immediate question. What is my reaction to the English classes (EC) endless subject?
I love English language and I love many features of the English way of thinking and behaving. I love many English traditions too. It could be almost said that I am an English culture fan. In addition I worked close with many English people and I spent some leisure time with some of them too.
After all here is my honest opinion about the EC subject. I’m not referring to the test but the actual social class pattern.
Being a foreigner I feel very little sensitive to EC. My level of English language is far from being able to differentiate between subtle accents and vocabulary diferences. Even more important is that not leaving in the country makes me look at the EC as a theme belonging to some classical black & white films rather to real life. And my last view is that if for any reason one of us had to live in the UK, according the current times he or she would be appraised fundamentally by what he or she was and did rather than his or her accent, wealth level or specific manners.
I don’t think I’m too much naïve. And I know that in England as in many countries there are still strong social segments closed and conservative. They try to keep their privileges and they look down on other lower segments. But modern times and ECONOMY are imposing an unstoppable trend to dismantle those unfair and even ridiculous positions. I don’t care much about social classes even if they are English. My natural reaction in front of people believing they are upper-whatever (like our Spanish rich-pijos) is to laugh at their faces.
At least that’s what I honestly think.
JA JA JA JA
ReplyDeletevery goood very good....
TO LAUGH AT THEIR FACES.....
montserrat.-
Hello!
ReplyDeleteFirstly I agree and I hope you are not laughing in my face, I hope everyone understands that I am not a snob and I find it funny that people think I am posh!
Also, I wanted to say that I went to Girona with a friend on Friday to see the flowers. She has been living here for many years but had never been to Girona so she was in love with the city, and the flowers were not bad either!
I think in England the social class divide is mainly present in the conservative area known as 'middle England', which I think has recently been chanegd to 'middle Britain'. I'm not sure why as being politically correct is not that important to these people! They typically read The Daily Mail and the woman on 'keeping up appearances' the sitcom, is one of them. England's most extreme right-wing political party (the BNP - British National Party) has most supporters there, although I read recently that 'New Labour'and the BNP are now equal in public opinion polls!
This is where 'standard' English is thought to be spoken and maybe the reason that the BBC decided to include other regional accents in its broadcasts - so as not to be associated with the politics of the accent.
My accent is more neutral than standard because I never really picked one up, but if I am around Manchester or Sheffield folk for long enough, I start to imitate the accent without meaning to, and sometimes my friends think I'm making fun of them, but I don't even realise I'm doing it!
Anyway, I think accents are great and all are valid and none should be discriminated against!
See you soon
Felicity