BBC World Service Online

The Why Factor

Documentaries

Factual

The extraordinary and hidden histories behind everyday objects and actions

The Why Factor: Accents

mouth_1024_why-factor.jpg

20/06/2014

Accents

BBC World Service - The Why Factor, Accents

What do our accents say about us? Why do they matter?

What do our accents reveal about who we are? Jo Fidgen explores why English sounds different across the globe and traces the American accent back to the Elizabethans.

On this week’s Why Factor Jo Fidgen meets an Englishwoman who suffers from a rare condition known as Foreign Accent Syndrome which causes her to speak with a French-sounding accent. What can her situation teach us about accents and why they matter? Jo explores why English sounds different across the globe and takes an accent lesson from a Canadian drama teacher. And did you know some animals have accents too?

Produced by Laura Gray

(Photo: A woman's mouth smiling. Credit: Getty Images)

Accessibility links

Programme Index

The Why Factor

Accents

Genres

Formats

Brand

BBC World Service Online

About BBC World Service