First name please.

Bill.

Spell that please.

B-i-l-l.

That's Bill!

I know.

But you're saying Bull! Surname?

Taylor.

Spell that please.

T-a-y-l-o-r.< That's Taylor.

I know.

But you're saying Tyler! So you're called Bull Tyler?

This ignominy befell me some 35 or more years ago when I first came to Lancashire, from a Brummie upbringing.

(Born in Leeds with 3 Scottish grandparents, don't forget).

So what's in an accent? Try this link from the British Library.

That's Jim Wade, born 1885, a retired sheep farmer from Read, recorded in 1953.

When I first came here people spoke of being a-gate, camping, being flummoxed. I had to learn.

We holidayed near Nimes a few years back. I had to use a local garage.

Armed with my usual get-byable school boy French I just could not follow the chap.

I went back the next day with Gwyn, who'd taught French in schools for 35 years. He couldn't either.

Next day, me, Gwyn & Andre Roze, from Paris went.

No, still we couldn't follow this guy's French twang!

I've been working in Bristol recently. Tricky again.

Then I read that a Yorkshire accent is the most trusted regional accent in UK.

I have Scottish friend that has two accents. One when she wants you to understand - one when she doesn't.

But she doesn't talk of stotting the ball, gigot chops and such like, like my mum.

Our pals from Morpeth make us feel sometimes that they're speaking a different language. I've had to laarn worself some Geordie!

Please be patient with the Bull Tylers of this world!