Downton Dubbed

“Are you from Australia or England?”
                                      “You’re Irish, right?”
                            “Pardon, could you say that again?"
                     “Dude, I can’t understand a word you’re saying.”
                                                                                                                             “Pants?”

Oh, barristas, bartenders, strangers; there's just no need to be so apologetic like. I don't mind if you're 3000 miles off, or you don't know your Yurkshure from your Landan. But in mean time, watch Peaky Blinders and get an education.

Because, Peaky Blinders, a show set in 1919 Birmingham (no, not in Alabama), is chock-a-block with accents. Northern Irish, Irish, Sam Neill’s attempt at Irish, all accents Brummie and not so Brummie, lockjaw cockney. Accents so thick and fast some kind blogger suggested they tone it down, tone it down so it'll wash with American audiences, so used to that crisp an' clear, oh so ABC sound.



Nah. Just watch it. We, Jan and me, cocked our heads at the screen and squinnied at far wall about a thousand times in our six hour marathon. Because we couldn’t understand a bloody word of it, which was bloody funny. Talk about British as a Foreign Language.

People say how it’s grand to listen in on language you don’t understand, all the boring crap about doctor’s bills and haemorrhoid cream flushed out. “It just sounds nice, dun’t it?” And did you know folks watch Downton with the subtitles on? Why?! Bloody hell, you sing along in the car without knowing the words. So, cheerily pitching out we’re going to Salt Lake city! Before you know title of Bowie’s catchy number is 'Suffragette City' is way more fun than knowing the words, Karaoke like.

Besides, compared to Downton, Peaky is the crack of accent porn. Lets 'ave it. Lets 'ave whole series built round the British sound being various, the more the better. I'll translate for yah.