'Tykes' are better than others in Britain at identifying Yorkshire accents

A new study, led by the University of York, is investigating the ability of people across the region to identify their own accent, and initial results show people from Yorkshire are more skilled than others in Britain at identifying Yorkshire accents.

Jim Hoskin, from the department of language and linguistic science from the university, said: “Yorkshire folk who have so far taken the test have done really well—much better than Londoners, for example."

The research is part of a project which is aiming to improve language analysis used in processing asylum applications.

Mr Hoskin said: "In assessing applications for asylum the British government uses a procedure known as language analysis. But at present only one test is administered.

"In it, the asylum seeker is interviewed and his or her accent assessed as to whether it matches the place where he or she claims to have originated.

"The problem with this single test is that it’s not infallible. It’s known from previous research that some people fail who should have passed, and some people pass who should have failed.”

He said the project could result in developing new tests to make language analysis more robust.

"If I find that Yorkshire folk are better than non-Yorkshire folk at identifying their own accent, then speakers of Arabic from, say, Syria should be similarly accurate in distinguishing fellow Syrians from Egyptians," he said.

"If this turns out to be so, I can use the results to develop new tests to make language analysis more robust."

The survey is open to all, but, in results so far, Jim has found that people from Yorkshire have done the best.

Australian-born Jim said: “I come from a country with a distinctive accent, and in that respect it’s similar to the English spoken in Yorkshire. But how well can people generally distinguish a Yorkshire accent from others? That’s what I’m interested in finding out.

He added: "Yorkshire folk who have so far taken the test have done really well—much better than Londoners, for example.

"The Yorkshire accent and Yorkshire folk are vital to the success of the project.

"I’m looking for people from all walks of life with a wide range of Yorkshire accents from across the county to take part.”

To take part in the research click here. Join our new coronavirus Facebook group for the latest confirmed news and advice as soon as we get it________________________________

Editor’s note: first and foremost - and rarely have I written down these words with more sincerity - I hope this finds you well.

Almost certainly you are here because you value the quality and the integrity of the journalism produced by The Yorkshire Post’s journalists - almost all of which live alongside you in Yorkshire, spending the wages they earn with Yorkshire businesses - who last year took this title to the industry watchdog’s Most Trusted Newspaper in Britain accolade.

And that is why I must make an urgent request of you: as advertising revenue declines, your support becomes evermore crucial to the maintenance of the journalistic standards expected of The Yorkshire Post. If you can, safely, please buy a paper or take up a subscription. We want to continue to make you proud of Yorkshire’s National Newspaper but we are going to need your help.

Postal subscription copies can be ordered by calling 0330 4030066 or by emailing [email protected]. Vouchers, to be exchanged at retail sales outlets - our newsagents need you, too - can be subscribed to by contacting subscriptions on 0330 1235950 or by visiting www.localsubsplus.co.uk where you should select The Yorkshire Post from the list of titles available.

If you want to help right now, download our tablet app from the App / Play Stores. Every contribution you make helps to provide this county with the best regional journalism in the country.

Sincerely. Thank you.

James Mitchinson