Illiterate, 1/1

[jedimastercait]

“How’re we s’posed t’ read this?  ‘S jibberish, that is.”

“That’s because you can’t read, Allan.”

“Yeah, and neither can you.  Anyway, I don’t need t’ read it t’ know wot this says.”

“You don’t?”

“No.  See, right here is says Robin’s mad, don’t it?”

“That’s not what it says.”

“It could! How d’ we know it don’t say that, him leadin’ us into a

Comments

[precious_rosie]

I wouldn't say Allan has a pronounced accent, but then I speak with a similiar London accent (I'm from North London, Joe Armstrong is from South London) and so it's not something I'm conscious of. If you aren't used to hearing it either... ;-)

[roh_wyn]

Actually, to the untrained (read American) ear, all the accents on the show are fairly pronounced, although each character seems to have a slightly different accent...and not always the right accent for their role and/or geography.

For example, I've always thought Much sounded far too posh to be anyone's manservant.

[robinfanatic]

Very true (being the untrained (read American) ear)! And I love everyone one of those accents! : )

[jedimastercait]

Me too! Yay accent love!

[precious_rosie]

As I said, if you're unused to hearing the accents then you're not going to know.

I guess with Much is that he's been so long in the family's employ, he's bound to pick up the accent from Robin. Then again class = accents aren't always clear, it has been long been suggested that Richard III spoke with a broad Northern accent because he spent years in the North of England. The accent has long been associated with the working class.

I've always maintained that if anyone is uncertain, get your fics Brit picked.

[roh_wyn]

I don't think I made myself all that clear, sorry about that. My grouse is not so much that the accents are thick, but that they feel wrong somehow.

For example, I would buy the explanation for Much's accent if Robin sounded similarly posh, but it doesn't. (Marian does, on the other hand, so maybe Much used to be at Knighton?)

Also, given the location of towns like Locksley, all the actors should have slightly more Northern-sounding accents, shouldn't they (with no regard to class, as you suggest)? Rochdale is nowhere near London, so why should Allan have a London accent?

[precious_rosie]

My own theory to this is that in the series, Allan is actually from London and has been travelling around the country. Rochdale may have been one the places he has visited, perhaps even adopting the name 'A Dale' and maybe was the place he thought when imprisoned in Ep.1, S1. It certainly fits in with his character as the compulsive liar.

And to be honest, when has this series ever been known for its accuracies, historically or otherwise? *bg*

[roh_wyn]

That theory totally works...Allan as the sort-of-Cockney itinerant trickster. Me like.

And to be honest, when has this series ever been known for its accuracies, historically or otherwise? *bg*

Ah, there is that! :)

[jedimastercait]

And to be honest, when has this series ever been known for its accuracies, historically or otherwise?

What? You mean this show isn't accurate? lol.

[precious_rosie]

Ha! Just like those army boots as worn by Harold in S1, Ep.10 or Marian's rather fetching red hat! ;-)

[darkentwisted]

Robin does tend to slip into Jona's Irish brouge at times.

My bff is English (from Devon)definitely a working class accent. but I've heard her go posh several times.

Considering that Sam is a Shakespearean actor. He puts more projection into Much than perhaps he should for a TV show. But it comes off as part of Much's character.
(He IS the manservant of an English Lord dammit and don't you forget it!):)

If you want a laugh, try listening to my hillbilly twang sometime.

[roh_wyn]

If you want a laugh, try listening to my hillbilly twang sometime.

Heh heh. You should hear the confused mishmash that is my accent when I visit my family! ;)

[robinfanatic]

Robin does tend to slip into Jona's Irish brouge at times.

And I melt every time he does... :::sigh:::

[jedimastercait]

Damn, I'm so jealous of you now. I want your accent.

[precious_rosie]

Hehe! You should 'ear me muvver! She's yer proper East End cockney. *vbg*