The Mancunian Way: Where are all the northern accents?

NewsGreater Manchester NewsThe Mancunian WayPLUS: Dine and dash... literally16:26, 07 Aug 2026Hello‘The next stop is Piccadilly Gardens,’ says the neutral, automated voice as the bus pulls in. The new technology was one of the many upgrades buses were brought back under local control in Greater Manchester.‌But, what if Manchester’s bus announcer had a Manchester accent? That’s the question one academic is asking as he tries to start a debate on the importance of local dialects.‌“People might say there are more important things to worry about, but it’s a nice thing, and it gives people that extra opportunity to have a bit of pride in their community,” said Rob Drummond, professor of sociolinguistics at Manchester Metropolitan University. “The more people hear their voices around the more th