Bradden - I grew up in England where speech is a vital indication of status in life. There are many common accents, such as the famous "Cockney" dialect where words are rhymed and don't seem to make any sense (Rosie Lee=cup of tea). If you are born within the sound of the bells of St. Mary's you are a true Cockney and will grow up learning this language. Each area of Britain has its common accents, but only for the working-class people. The aristocracy speak a unanimous English which is "The Queen's English." Everyone who attends boarding school speaks the Queen's English, but the richer you are the more pronounced this accent becomes. So, speech in England not only defines the area where you come from, but it also can show the wealth of the family.