Language and Communication
1. Accent and Dialect
- Each region has its own accent and dialect. These may well be quite different from anything you have heard in your own country. International students are often surprised at how difficult it can be at first to get used to local accents. Don’t worry! You will get used to the local accent.
- Don’t be afraid to ask people to speak slowly or to explain things again. Remind them that you are new to the country and are not yet familiar with the many different accents and dialects.
- Your accent may be new to some British people as well. Please do not be offended if others sometimes ask you to repeat things or speak more slowly.
2. Sheffield English
- When you first arrive in Sheffield, you will notice that the local variety (dialect, accent and vocabulary) is quite different to that anywhere else in the country.
- There are many other aspects of Sheffield English, too numerous to mention here. It may be difficult to understand at first but you will get used to it within a surprisingly short time.
`Love!´
One characteristic of language in Sheffield (and many other areas of Britain) is the affectionate names people use. You may find yourself being called `love´, `duck´, `darling´, `angel´, `sweetheart´ or `flower´ by total strangers. There is no need to be alarmed; this is quite usual and does not mean anything more than everyday courtesy and friendliness.
`Goodbye´
All over Britain, people say `I´ll see you later´, on parting. This can be confusing since it often does not mean that the speaker expects to see you later. It is simply a colloquial way of saying `good-bye´.