大象传媒

For centuries the way you spoke was clear proof of your class and background. Now there's new evidence that the Cockney accent and the plummy tones of the English upper classes are in decline.

Researchers analysed the voices of nearly two-hundred young people from across south-east England and London - and grouped them together by how they pronounced vowels. Three new accent categories have emerged, which the researchers said were due to the increased movement of people, the spread of universal education and a growing emphasis on a so-called "correct" way of speaking.

The 大象传媒's Zoe Conway reports.