WITH the greatest respect to Dr Amanda Cole and her researchers at the University of Essex (Gazette, March 15, “Shut up! Does our accent hold us back?”), the conclusions reached regarding accents have completely and utterly missed the “bleedin’ obvious”, in my opinion.

What ultimately matters is the actual clarity and content of what people say, rather than the accent they say it in.

If what is said is succinct and intelligible, then it will be understandable to all, regardless of accent.

However, if people are too lazy to properly articulate, then they will rightly be perceived as less intelligent, whatever their accent, because they put little or no effort into what they’re trying to convey.

As with most things in life, you’ll get out what you put in.

This research seems to me to be a classic case of trying to find the ‘facts’ to match the theory.

And the “dan saaf ” example is more akin to London’s east end rather than Essex.

Furthermore, the article is littered with bias, using phrases like “vicious circle” and “privileged speak”.

Clearly the author has an issue with perceived class.

Generally speaking, those who speak well do so because they realise this enables them to communicate more effectively with those around them; thus to be more productive.

The opposite of that leads inevitably to misconceptions and isolation.

Paul Hart

Alexandra Drive, Wivenhoe