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Listen: Liverpool's famous Scouse accent
If you've ever been to Liverpool, one thing you surely remember about Liverpudlians (no really, that's what they're called) is their distinctive accent. If you haven't been to Liverpool and you think you know what they sound like there, read on."Scouse," as the accent is called, is an expressive, melodic speech comprised of emphatic vowels punctuated with harsh rasps. Think less of the Beatles (their accents were rather posh by the time we got to know them) and more of ... well, there are surprisingly few good examples of Liverpool accents in mainstream US TV and movies -- odd, because they're very popular in UK television. "Hollyoaks", for example is set in a fictional suburb of nearby Chester and is a goldmine for Scouse, both real and feigned. Dancin' Through the Dark has some proper Scousers, if you can get your hands on it.
The BBC attributes Scouse to Irish and Welsh influences in Liverpool, and calls it a fairly new dialect, noting that it only developed a distinction from the Lancashire accent in the mid 19th century. Today, teenagers speak fairly differently from their grandparents, a sign that the accent is still evolving.
On my recent trip to Liverpool, I happened to meet one particularly choice Scouser -- none other that Erica Dillon from Visit Liverpool. She graciously permitted me to tape her accent, so I got her talking about Liverpool, and here it is, folks.
It's hard to listen to that without reflexively attempting to imitate some of the words. Scouse is fascinating. Thanks, Erica!
This trip was paid for by VisitBritain and VisitLiverpool, but the ideas and opinions expressed in the article above are 100% my own.
This trip was paid for by VisitBritain and VisitLiverpool, but the ideas and opinions expressed in the article above are 100% my own.
Filed under: Learning, United Kingdom
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
boomer147 Feb 9th 2010 8:36AM
My wife and I have had the pleasure of visiting Liverpool on three occasions, over the last eleven years. We even went there on our Honeymoon (in-be-tween London and Paris) and found the Liverpudians to be a lovely people. I can't get enough of their accent and could listen to the them read the phone book and be entertained. Four of us went to the yearly "Beatlefest" held in Liverpool and it was one of the best times I have ever had. Liverpool really knows how to throw a party; 300,000 people, 6 different stages set up throughout the city, constant entertainment throughout the weekend, most of it outdoors and free. If you are a Beatle fanatic you have got to make the pilgrimage to Liverpool for the festival at least once in your life. It is held at the end of August every year and even if you are not a Beatles fan you will still have a great time as the city is beautiful and the people are genuine and friendly. Go and enjoy, you will not be dissapointed!
sue Feb 9th 2010 1:38PM
i so love this accent...my former daughterinlaw was from Liverpool and i could listen to her talk all day long
deb Feb 10th 2010 12:21PM
I am from Liverpool and Erica's accent although is scouse.. Her accent is quite subdued for a scouser probably due to the fact that she is tourism press officer and needs to be understood. There is a set of scousers whose accent is so pronounced that even I have a hard time understanding them. My husband is American and when my brother calls and leaves a telephone message I have to translate ha !!! Speak to someone from the Dingle or Scotland Rd (Scottie) and you will see the difference.
Elaine in FL, formerly NJ Feb 10th 2010 6:06PM
In 1981 I visited friends Brian and Irene in Liverpool. I'd just met them the year before in Spain "on holiday" and they graciously invited me to their home.
Their son, Craig, was then a teenager and, since this was my first trip to the UK, he spoke Scouse knowing full well I couldn't understand a word he was speaking! For instance, he said: "OWWD-SKERR" (or something like that) which translated to "Old Skirt" which then translated to "Mother" or "Mum."
For the record, I understood every word his native Liverpudian parents spoke.
It was one of my fave trips abroad and has remained so since. Love those Beautiful Brits!