Distinguished Discourse

The New Zealand accent has been declared the most attractive and prestigious form of English outside Britain. In the BBC survey, Britons responded to an online survey rating the prestige and social attractiveness of 34 different accents of English. The New Zealand “fush and chups” came seven places ahead of Australia’s “sex and Seedney” – and nine ahead of the American accent in terms of attractiveness. Director of AUT’s Institute of Culture, Discourse and Communication Professor Allan Bell said that the survey has shown that New Zealand English is relatively close to the prestigious British accent. “On the social side, it seems to represent generally positive British attitudes to New Zealand and New Zealanders,” The New Zealand Herald quoted him as saying. Bell also said the fact that British rate New Zealand English so highly is ironic, because studies of New Zealanders’ attitudes show they prefer British English to their own accent.