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Vernesta Cyril (OBE)
Lives: Newport, Blaenau Gwent
Time lived in area: More than 10 years
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Vernesta, originally from St Lucia, talks about settling in Wales and how her choice of language changes when she gets angry.
Language of interview: English
Duration: 01:10 (mins/secs)
The participants were asked to describe how they spoke in their own words.
How do you describe your accent: "Some Caribbean."
Have there been other influences on the way you speak: "I spent 18 years in St Lucia."
Do you have skills in languages other than English?: Yes
Other languages: Creole
VERNESTA: I was born on the island of St Lucia, I came here as a teenager to pursue my nursing career. Um, I've settled in Newport well over thirty years and made lots of friends, got a family, my husband is there, like gardening. We do speak a broken French, which is Creole and we do remember it, and sometimes if I am angry, I speak in Creole. When Peter and I have a row, I'd rather speak in Creole. INTERVIEWER: He's not from St Lucia? VERNESTA: He is from St Lucia, but I've settled here and made lots of friends. I love Wales, I go to London and can't wait to come from Wales. They make fun of me in London and say what are you living in this country for, you know, because when you go to London, it's all, everything is happening there, and I've got nephews who come from London, the posh part and she's got a very pukka accent you know. I try to imitate it, you know - pukka. I've got my telephone voice so people don't know I'm very pukka!
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Also on Voices:
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What do you think about your local accent?
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If someone refers to you as a Cuddie Wifter, a Ciotach or Corrie Fisted it's probably because they have realised you are left-handed.
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