The people of Manchester, Greater Manchester, and its surrounding areas have a unique way of speaking, distinct from other English accents.
While the accents in each of these places differ, we'll focus on the similarities today as we examine the broad definition of the Mancunian accent.
Manchester, Mancunian, or Manc?
Firstly, let's clarify the terminology. We could discuss Manchester, Mancunian, or Manc dialects and accents.
All of these words mean the same thing in this context. Manchester is the place, and Mancunian and Manc refer to the adjective or people or things from Manchester.
Manc is more colloquial than Mancunian, so you'll typically see the latter used in more official documents, broadcast media, etc., though there's nothing offensive about using the term "Manc".
Remember that while the plural is Mancs, the term Manx is not the same thing and refers to the Gaelic language spoken by the Manx people of the Isle of Man.
Unfortunately, across the United Kingdom, the words referring to people and accents from certain places across the UK are rarely simple or easy to understand. You have to learn that Scouse is from Liverpool, Brummie is from Birmingham, Geordie is from Newcastle, and Cockney is from part of London.
Where Exactly Is the Mancunian Accent Spoken?
So Mancunian must mean Manchester, then?
Well, yes and no. Geographically, "Mancunian" refers to people and things from Manchester, but linguistic borders are rarely so cleanly defined.
After all, dialects and accents don't immediately stop at the end of a geographic border; most accents and dialects exist on a continuum.
This means that many of the hallmarks linguists could use to classify a Mancunian accent could also apply to the accents of people outside Manchester (Greater Manchester) and in certain neighbouring towns.
With its status as a major urban centre, Manchester's linguistic influence extends beyond its geographical borders, creating a sense of shared identity among its speakers.
You can also hear Manc accents in places like Birchwood, Bury, Gamesley, Handforth, Hattersley, Oldham, Rochdale, and Stockport.
| Place | Approximate Distance from Manchester |
|---|---|
| Birchwood | 25 km |
| Bury | 12 km |
| Gamesley | 23 km |
| Handforth | 14 km |
| Hattersley | 18 km |
| Oldham | 11 km |
| Rochdale | 17 km |
| Stockport | 10 km |
The accent typically only extends into some places in Greater Manchester. While some people in certain areas will have a linguistically Mancunian accent, it's common for people in Bolton, Oldham, Rochdale, and Wigan to speak somewhat differently.
There are also many other factors to consider, such as background, socioeconomics, and social factors, which can affect how somebody speaks and their accent. Please don't assume that everyone in Manchester has a typically Mancunian accent or that the accent automatically changes once you go outside any of the places that we've mentioned thus far.
How the Manchester Accents Differs from Other English Accents
As accents and dialects are related, the Mancunian dialect and accent will naturally share certain qualities with other English accents, mainly from northern England.
Like many other accents in England, the Mancunian accent is non-rhotic. This means that when "r" appears after a vowel, the vowel's sound is changed rather than pronouncing the "r" itself.
Conversely, many accents in Scotland and North America are rhotic, with the "r" being pronounced in almost every situation. However, most Scottish accents favour the trilled or rolled "r".
You can hear a Manchester accent in how certain words like "funny" sound. For example, in the word "funny", the "y" at the end is pronounced more like the way many English speakers would pronounce the "e" in "dress".
Here's a comedian, Jason Manford, from Salford in Greater Manchester, joking about the accent.
Like other northern English dialects, the Mancunian English accent pronounces many "a" sounds like "glass" and "castle" with a broader sound. Southern English and London accents tend to pronounce the "a" in these words differently.
A Manc accent is also famous for being quite nasal, with very flat vowels across the board. It's famous for having less of an intonation than certain accents with a more melodic quality, like certain Welsh accents.
The combination of the letters "ng" is typically much stronger than in other English accents. Words like "singer" and "banging" sound almost like a "k" has been added (for those who don't speak Mancunian English, of course).
It's pretty standard for Mancunian English speakers to drop the "h" at the start of words. This occurs in many different dialects around the world, particularly in the UK.
Mancunian Vocabulary
Like many of the dialects in the UK, Mancunian English has a unique sound and pronunciation, as well as many interesting lexical features and vocabulary that can be learned.
Here, we've picked some of the most common and recognisable words to serve as an example of the vocabulary that somebody in Manchester who speaks Mancunian English could use.
Just remember that not every example is unique to Mancunian English. Some examples, like "canny" and "divvy," are also used in Geordie English, which is spoken in Newcastle upon Tyne, roughly 180km and several accents away.
| Mancunian Vocabulary | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Baggin' | Excellent or great |
| Barm | Soft bread roll used for sandwiches |
| Barmcake | Soft bread roll |
| Bevvy | Alcoholic drink |
| Bobbins | Something that is not good or disappointing |
| Brew | A cup of tea |
| Buzzin' | Excited or happy |
| Canny | Good or nice |
| Chuddy | Chewing gum |
| Divvy | A fool or someone who is silly |
| Do one | Go away or leave |
| Fettle | To sort something out or fix it |
| Gaff | House or home |
| Gander | A look or glance |
| Geg | To borrow or ask for something |
| Ginnel | Alleyway or narrow passageway |
| Gob | Mouth |
| Graft | Work or labor |
| Mint | Excellent or great |
| Minted | Rich or wealthy |
| Manky | Dirty or unpleasant |
| Mither | To bother or pester |
| Moss | Refers to Moss Side, a district in Manchester |
| Narked | Irritated or annoyed |
| Nowt | Nothing |
| Owt | Anything |
| Plazzy | Fake or imitation |
| Rag | To play or mess around |
| R kid | Slang for "our kid," used to refer to a sibling or close friend |
| Sound | Good, reliable, or trustworthy |
| Tampin' | Very angry or furious |
| Tarra | Goodbye or see you later |
| Tight | Stingy or unwilling to spend money |
| T'owt | Anything |
| Skint | Having no money or being broke |
| Scran | Food, especially a meal |
| Skriking | Crying or whining |
| Snicket | Alleyway or passageway |
| Spice | To insult or mock someone |
| Yonder | Over there |
Misconceptions About the Mancunian Accent
Accents around the United Kingdom often carry certain connotations. While they can serve as a prominent marker of where somebody is from geographically, they can also have certain connotations that may or may not be true about the speaker.
In the United Kingdom, albeit less so in recent years, certain perceptions and stereotypes about people's accents have always existed. This is also true in almost every country, language, and language variant.
Perceptions are changing and apparently, Mancunian is the sexiest accent in the UK.
These perceptions can be positive and negative. Like many other northern English accents, the Manchester accent has been associated with warmth and friendliness. While this isn't necessarily untrue, it also means that the inverse isn't necessarily true. A southern English accent doesn't indicate that somebody isn't friendly.
Contrary to popular belief, the Mancunian accent, like many other regional English accents, is not a marker of social class or roughness. Challenging these stereotypes and appreciating the diversity of English accents is important. The Brummie accent is often misconceived as sounding uninterested, which isn't always true.
Similarly, the accent has been seen as less formal or acceptable in certain formal situations like professional or academic environments.
Luckily, there have been cultural shifts in recent years, with better examples of Mancunians in TV shows, films, and music and a change in attitude towards regional and "non-standard" English accents.
Rather than making assumptions about a person based on their accent, why not talk to them and learn more about them?
Famous Speakers of Mancunian
Listening to the people who speak a language is one of the best ways to understand how an accent sounds, how the words are pronounced, and the kinds of vocabulary used.
We can't guarantee you'll have neighbours, friends, or colleagues from Manchester. Still, luckily for you, Manchester has produced many famous people who all speak with the accent.
Manchester has long had a thriving music scene, with many famous Mancunian musicians. Two of the most famous are the Gallagher Brothers, Liam and Noel, who are famous for being in the band Oasis. They both have typically strong Mancunian accents that could serve as a good example.
Here's Graham Norton, from Ireland, interviewing Liam Gallagher, from Manchester.
Ian Brown, the lead singer of The Stone Roses, also has a Mancunian accent. However, it should be noted that Ian Brown is from Warrington, between Liverpool and Manchester, and doesn't have the same accent as the Gallaghers. That said, that doesn't mean his accent is halfway between a Liverpool and a Manchester accent as the Scouse accent is very distinct.
The football (soccer) player Marcus Rashford, who plays for Manchester United and the England national football team, also has a Mancunian accent.
Learn How to Speak or Understand Mancunian English
There are many reasons why somebody might want to learn Mancunian English or any particular English dialect or accent.
You may be an actor preparing for a role, and you want your performance to be accurate on a linguistic level.
Maybe English isn't your first language, but you're moving to Manchester and want to understand the language as it's spoken there.
You may also be interested in the large variety of pronunciation, vocabulary, and cultural identity that make up how English is spoken in the UK.
Whatever your reason, you can get help from English language tutors on the Superprof website. Whether you're looking for English as a foreign language or accent coaching, search for tutors on the website today!
You can find local and online tutors, but if you're in Australia and looking for Mancunian English tutors or accent coaches, it's best to broaden your search to include online tutors.
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