SPEECH FAULTS

Hokitika Guardian, 19 September 1933, Page 8

SPEECH FAULTS

INSTRUCTOR’S ANALYSIS. OXFORD ACCENT AND DRAWL. LONDON, Septemeb r 7. The remark by the Dominions Secretary., Mr J. H. Thomas, that a Rhodes Scholar “does not use the Oxford accent, but the Morris-Oxford accent,” is recalled in an article by Mr St. John .Rumsey, instructor of speech at Guy’s Hospital. The writer says the Oxford recent is (•voti .due 'to incorrect mouth-shapes, • such as is the speech of curates and cockneys, but to faulty basis of the vocal tone. This produces a drawl, giving the impression of weary,, boredom with ■ life generally, and the immediate audience in particular,. 'The faulty tone is due to incorrect voice-production. “The throat mu s cles are tensed, instead of relaxed,” he says. “I am not aware why it is attributed to Oxford, when it is heard both in Oxford and Cambridge, but it is. even more prevalent in ‘artistic London. There is more drawl in Chelsea than i n Oxford and Cambridge combined.” Commenting on professional differences of speech, Mr Rumsey said that solicitors speak slowly, to obtain tine to think .and .remember what was saidBarristers speak quickly and incisively in order to muddle and frighten people.