BUCHAREST / AGILITYPR.NEWS / May 21, 2026 / No accent is more correct than another: they are all reflections of where people come from and how they evolve as they move, connect and create new communities. Ahead of World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development (21 May), the British Council, the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities, presents the findings of This is English, a research-led project with expert insights from Professor Rob Drummond of Manchester Metropolitan University.

The study defines accent as ‘how words sound when spoken’ and explores regional accents across the UK and global Englishes, examining their origins, defining features, and how they are evolving today, driven by new generations, the use of social media, and the influence of culture and migration.

According to Chris Mathews, Managing Director, English and Exams, at the British Council: ‘English grows through the many accents and voices that use it. Our work at the British Council is about supporting that growth – creating spaces where learners, teachers and communities can share their voices with confidence and learn from each other’.

Key findings from the research-led project

1. No accent is more correct than another. What we call ‘standard’ or ‘proper’ English is simply the accent associated with power at a particular moment in history – not a linguistic gold standard. These accents evolve over time through history, power and social influence, including education and institutions.

The idea of a ‘correct’ version of English often comes from writing, where shared rules help people understand one another. In spoken language, however, there is no single standardised accent.

In this regard, Rob Drummond, Professor of Sociolinguistics at Manchester Metropolitan University, states: “When people say someone has a ‘strong’ accent, what they usually mean is that it sounds different from their own. But different isn’t wrong – it’s just different. An accent isn’t something to be corrected — it’s a record of where you’re from, who you are, and where you belong, and no accent is inherently better than any other.”

2. Received Pronunciation (RP) was a conscious construction, not a natural standard. The RP accent, associated with the British royal family, was adopted by the BBC in 1926 as the ‘standard’ or reference accent in broadcasting, particularly in news media.

Today, that picture is shifting, and even RP itself has changed significantly over the decades. Audiences now hear a wider range of voices, reflecting greater diversity and a growing value placed on authenticity.

3. Every accent carries a story. An accent is not something to be corrected; it holds meaning, experience and personality, making spoken language more diverse, expressive and human.

Accents do not usually change after early adulthood, but they can still shift with new experiences and environments. They are influenced by factors such as age (language and accents change across generations), gender (social expectations can influence how people speak), class (accent can reflect education, work or social background), and ethnicity (heritage can shape pronunciation and rhythm).

4. Accents are not dying out – they are transforming. English is not one fixed entity: because it belongs to everyone, it grows through shared use and influence. Communities around the world adapt it to fit their lives, cultures and contexts – and that is its strength.

Migration has long been a driving force behind language innovation. Today, this creativity continues through dynamic forms of English such as Black British English, British Asian English, and Multicultural London English (MLE) – flexible ways of speaking shaped by migration, culture and community.

5. Young people are the engine of language change – and always have been. They mix local accents with global influences to express identity and belonging. This can include shifts in pronunciation, vocabulary and even speech rhythm. Music, film and social media are spreading accents and slang globally faster than ever before.

From grime to global pop, musicians drive new ways of speaking by influencing vocabulary and pronunciation. Comedy has also helped reshape how English is spoken, bringing regional speech, slang and rhythm into the mainstream through shows such as Derry Girls.

Young people also hear a wide range of voices every day on platforms such as TikTok and YouTube. Some naturally pick up features like the American ‘liderally’ instead of ‘literally’, and over time these sounds can move from online spaces into everyday speech.