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30 December 2009
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The Voices Recordings
Interviewee Madge Elliot

Born: 20 June 1928

Lives: Hawick, Roxburgh

Time lived in area: All my life


Find out more about the group

Listen to
Madge remembers being teased by colleagues, when she was a young apprentice, over the phrase 'emerso' which means I am.

Language of interview: Scots

Duration: 00:22 (mins/secs)



About the interview

The participants were asked to describe how they spoke in their own words.

How do you describe your accent: "Understandable."

Have there been other influences on the way you speak: Not Given

Do you have skills in languages other than English?: No

Other languages: None

About this interview
ROBERT: Hemerso means I am. MADGE: Ah'll tell ya, I wis in the habit o sayin that whin ah started work as a fourteen-year-old, an apprenteece, in an offeece in Hoyck. I used ta answer by sayin "emerso". An they used ta tell me that wisna the way ta speak at aw so every time ah said emerso they aw said "EMEEEEER"! An by gosh I broke the habit (laughs)!
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Did You Know?
95% of people in Northern Ireland think of themselves as having a moderately strong accent, compared to only 63% of people in the east of England.
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