About Voices

Every word we say tells a story.

The Voices project aims to present a snapshot of the many ways we speak across the UK in the early 21st century. At its heart is a ground-breaking recording of 1,000 voices across the UK.

From farmers in the Glens of Antrim to black Londoners in Peckham, from Treorchy to Taunton, the geography of the UK can be mapped in accents and dialects.

Our voices are a fundamental aspect of our identity. How we talk can express where we are from, and much that has happened to us by way of culture and education. It can reflect a common identity, but it can also serve to exclude and differentiate between people.

We've asked you to tell us on the Voices website about the languages, words, accents you use, your styles of talk and how the way you talk has shaped your life.

Voices Recordings
The biggest survey of regional English ever undertaken in the UK, recorded by BBC radio.
Search the Voices Recordings
More about the Voices Recordings

Language Lab online surveys
A ground breaking attempt to measure, online, some of the ways we use spoken English across the UK.

The idea and inspiration for Voices came from Mandy Rose of the BBC Wales New Media department. The project director was Mick Ord of BBC Radio Merseyside.

This website won a Webby Award nomination in 2006 for the BBC Wales New Media team, including Anna Guina, Gavin Johnson, Sharon Cooper, Philippa Law, Lee Carrotte and Faith Mowbray.