Summary
Highlights
The famous Cockney accent of East London is under threat from a new accent called Multicultural London English (MLE). Accent expert David Hornsby explains that MLE is the voice of young London, influenced by various global cultures such as Caribbean, Greek, Asian, and African. Unlike Cockney, which often dropped 'h's, MLE is bringing 'h's back. The rapid spread of MLE, even within a single generation, is an extraordinary phenomenon.
The physiological formation of MLE is notably different from Cockney. Cockney vowels are often 'diphthongs' (requiring tongue movement), while MLE vowels are 'monophthongs' (tongue remains still). This results in a more relaxed, 'back of the mouth' speech for MLE, contrasting with the more pronounced mouth movements of Cockney speakers. Examples include 'play' becoming 'ble' in MLE.
As MLE takes over in East London, the Cockney accent has been migrating. Since World War II, many Cockney speakers have moved out of London, with a significant number settling in Kent. This has led to local Kent accents slowly dying out, as traditional Kentish speakers like John Phillips demonstrate unique vowel placements and rolled 'r's, which are becoming less common due to the influx of Cockney influences.
MLE's rapid spread is an exciting development in accent evolution. While it has prominent figures in media like Ali G and athletes like Rio Ferdinand, it's not yet commonly heard among newsreaders or presenters. MLE's influence is also seen in other UK cities, blending with local accents, such as Amir Khan's speech in Bolton which mixes Boltonian with Pakistani influences. This represents a dynamic and exciting period for accent study.
MLE is not just an accent but also a dialect, with its own evolving vocabulary. Young speakers adopt and discard words quickly, reflecting a constant state of linguistic change. Historically, new slang and accents have faced criticism from older generations, much like Cockney rhyming slang, which was initially used to exclude parents and police. Parents today express concerns about how MLE might affect children's future job prospects, highlighting the ongoing social perceptions and judgments associated with evolving language. The video concludes by mentioning the evolution of David Beckham's speaking style as a reflection of increased confidence rather than an accent change.