I've been to Birmingham a couple of times. I'll say this, Brummies are some of the friendliest people in the UK. Everyone seemed helpful and hospitable. My recent visit was a joy.
People from Birmingham are very laid back. If anyone was rude about Liverpool or Manchester they would raise a lot of anger from the inhabitants but Brummies just laugh things off. That's the nice thing about them, but it means that the media feel they can carry on being rude about Brimingham even though they don't know it well. Trying to damage the reputation of England's second city does not improve the reputation of London, it just drags down the UK as a whole, because historically Birmingham has been a great engine of the UK economy and a place of great innovation and creativity.
Nathan Hill You saw it on Fox news, meaning you have not been there yourself. So if a media outlet said your father was a criminal would you believe it?
Lolalai They said the same thing about Paris which was false, now France is planning to sue fox news. Skid row is possible the biggest crap hole in western society.
theodor cole FFS I lived there for 3 months worked there 4 3 months & it was hell on earth = Birmingham wants to be a Muslim city = get on with it I have left & don't give a fuck what your shithole does but it was hell
Im a Yank, and to be honest the show "Peaky Blinders" brought me here. Thought id do some research and learn about you Red Coats ;). Just playin, you English are awesome. Love being deployed with your Brits! Love from the States!
Oh Ahhhh. We'll get off yer fookin computer yank, get over here and we'll take you round town and but you a pint. - welcome to the greatest city on earth son ;)
Problem is there is no reference to the Peaky Blinders in any History Book of Birmingham, the garrison pub was used by local gans yes but they were only pickpockets and general thieves, no one carried shot guns on their shoulders in Birmingham, may be Chicago and it was not filmed in Birmingham it was filmed in Liverpool and the Black Country Museum which is 15 miles from Birmingham, sorry to disappoint you, but as a True Brummie I am rather embarrassed about the trash of Peaky Blinders.
I grew up and spent my early adulthood in Birmingham. I'm constantly annoyed by the London centric media's lazy and misleading portrayals of Birmingham. It's a very green city, full of Parks and good sports and creative facilities for young people. It has more garden space than London houses - like for like. It's also surrounded by great countryside which is much easier to get to than if you live in London. The humour is dry and can be very witty. People are very can do but they don't boast about it. They just get on with it. JRR Tolkien spent his childhood there and his books were influenced by the countryside he saw there. Shakespeare lived not far off and was also influenced by the countryside around there. There is a lot of wonderful Victorian 20th century housing which is much more affordable than London.
I never stop being proud - the city that put the great into Great Britain through its incredible hard working people and their creativity. Very few other cities in the world could match our collective achievements. Londoners do seen to think they're special but in truth they're only the shop window of the uk - the real brain and the brains behind this country have always been the second city. And who else could boast of being a wonderful place to visit and live while at the sane time still being a useful major manufacturing and exporting city? Manchester certainly can't lol.
i m seeing the videos from B, and i love it. my neighbour is from leeds & have worked in london. (i live in sydney now).. he tells me B is very good. i m going to manchester soon for work. although some people say M is the second city in UK (and some say B is the 2nd) still i feel i like the videos from B more.:((( i can't ask the workplace to move to B !
Birmingham is very underrated - more green space than people think, a thriving arts scene and a lot to do (current situation apart). It's true though that there are still a lot of derelict sites even close to the centre (e.g. in Digbeth). "It's the second city but nobody takes any notice of it" sounds about right. I lived there for four years and definitely preferred it to living in London.
I went to Birmingham 2 months ago and Im so happy and proud to say I love it !!!! I want to go back and honestly I think is awesome !!! Bwt I'm Mexican :)
i am austrian (native austrian-german speaking) and i like the birmingham accent so much. it sounds more authentic, i mean typical english than the london accent. a very melodic accent.
I'm not even British. I'm Bulgarian and I currently live in Berlin. Last weekend I met this guy from Birminghan in an Irish pub and we spent the weekend together and needless to say now I totally adore the accent! :D I think it sounds really sexy and cute at the same time!
sam mark yeah but london is bigger and is the capital so it has to have a better rep so why not fix up rather than tryna shift focus to the second city.
Living in Edinburgh gives you very relaxed sense of aspiration. 500 a month for a flat overlooking a castle, while people in London are 'stretching every financial sinew' for a flat in Notting Hill.
as a foreign student of english i find the birmingham accent more difficult to understand, but it's great to see how the people are proud of their accent
The countryside and nature in and near to Birmingham inspired JRR Tolkien's description of "The Shire" in "The Hobbit" and "Lord of the Rings". It inspired the "Diary of an Edwardian Country Lady" and it inspired Shakespeare. Most of the national media is based in the South of England and most southern journalists are too lazy to get to know the rest of the country.
It could be both. The Wikipedia page on "Lord of the Rings" states "Some locations and characters were inspired by Tolkien's childhood in Birmingham, where he first lived near Sarehole Mill, and later near Edgbaston Reservoir.[33] There are also hints of the Black Country, which is within easy reach of north west Edgbaston. This shows in such names as "Underhill", and the description of Saruman's industrialization of Isengard and The Shire. It has also been suggested that The Shire and its surroundings were based on the countryside around Stonyhurst College in Lancashire where Tolkien frequently stayed during the 1940s". I've always thought of Lancashire as a fairly flat county. "The Shire" as depicted in Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit looks more to me like countryside around Birmingham - more undulating.
@@Athleticmaleuk J R Tolkien was inspired to write Lord of the Rings and Twin towers because of his childhood escapades around Sarehole Mill near Yardley wood in Birmingham, the two towers was again inspired by two towers in Ladywood Birmingham, Perrott's Folly and the water Works tower near Edgebaston reservoir, not the twin Trade Towers as some yanks thought. His Nephew is now a sculptor and designed a tribute to the Spitfire and stands on an traffic Island at Castle Vale in Brum outside the Jaguar plant where spitfires were assembled before being moved over the road to Castle Bromwich RAF Station where they were test flied by Alex Henshaw chief test pilot, this has now gone and it is the Castle Vale Housing Estate.
@@peterwilliamallen1063 the shire is based on the malvern Hills in Worcestershire, he spent time alot of time in Worcestershire due to his mother living there, she is buried in St John's cemetery in bromsgrove, Worcestershire. He also took inspiration from his time in South africa
Really interesting video and provides honest insight into how the general public feel about their city and the invariably biased preconceived views from London. No one has any say over their accent and no one should feel inferior based on their accent.
I rather like Birmingham people. I accidentally left my mobile on the train and some stranger offered me his to make a quick call. People will more often than not hold a door open for the person behind them too. Decent folk.
john sam Oh isn't this funny on one video, you were saying that Birmingham is racist, crime ridden, segregated, full of chavs, the unemployed, uneducated, good to see that you change your tune. see Birmingham isn't a bad place as you thought due to the London and Manchester biasd media
Californian here This is the first I've heard of this brummie accent but I think it sounds nice just the same as the typical English London accent I've heard I don't understand why ppl criticize it , it sounds nice to me
***** Cant help but notice you listed white areas after your accusation of brummies being racist. Are you suggesting the Asian and black people in the city arent racist? or perhaps that the Asian and blacks in the city arent proper brummies (which would actually be somewhat racist)?
john sam lies lies lies. You're a funny one. Birmingham is one of the most diverse cities in the country. You must love Birmingham though seeing as you spend so much time watching videos of the city. Try writing in proper sentences. Maybe the education isn't as good down South as it is here by the looks of your garbage paragraphs.
U r the most amazing commenter ever. I completely and utterly agree. I love London because my mother was born there but Birmingham is always first. We are very humble and have AMAZING accents! XD
Can't believe all the negative comments. Don't know Birmingham that well but actually visiting it today. I'm a Londoner and whilst it's a huge city and the only real UK city with a global significance, personally I can't wait to leave! London has become a city that's only a great place to live if you're super wealthy. It's over crowded and stressful which means the people are often in a bad mood. I've visited most parts of the UK and most have a certain charm about them. I prefer the countryside to cities but have had some great times visiting cities like Liverpool and Edinburgh for example.
john sam Your a Fucking troll, i bet you'll shit yourself when i give out your address online with your picture. Its about time trolls get there beatings
Having been born and bred in Birmingham the reputation we have saddens and angers me. People think Brummies sound stupid, but we're not. I'm very proud of my city and wouldn't live anywhere else.
Birmingham is not an unsafe city , maybe its a bit rough but in the real world id rather be in Birmingham rather than some other places. Solihull (10km east) got awarded the safest , cheapest and best quality of life in Western Europe this year
@@kimberley2189 Brummies are racist and look how racist and segregated areas are in Birmingham with little integration the older generation especially are very backwards and bigoted and the younger generation are no better , Birmingham is a segregated shithole. Multiculturalism doesn't work in Birmingham and west Midlands as people are not used to mixing and never will most are only used to white and that's it .
@@Morecanalsthanvenice Segregated racist city and region Birmingham and west Midlands. Nothing is working no unity or care people in Birmingham and west Midlands are very backwards and not progressive the council is the cause of the poverty and deprivation and segregation in the city and region . People are in denial of thier racial agendas and try to suppress how they feel .
i love Birmingham. Been here my whole life and i think it is a very underrated city. I'm not the biggest fan of the accent and have been told by people that i don't speak with a Birmingham accent. BIG UP BRUM
Of course you speak with a brummy accent - most of is get told "you don't have a brummie accent" when we travel outside town - it's because most other people are a bit thick and think the Black Country accent is actually brummie
@@Steven-wf5ws people usually tell me I sound like a Londoner (Londoners say this) and they mean it as a compliment, which irritates me. I do sound like a fairly posh Londoner but I’m Brummie through and through and I refuse to be flattered by people being snobbish about the Brummie accent. I never feel quite at home until I’m surrounded by Brummie voices and proper midlands people.
I'm an American now. I lived in Birmingham before moving here when I was 3. We don't have any home videos from the time, so I came here to this video to find out what I must've sounded like as a kid. Nice to know I spoke like a boss back then.
my parents moved to canada ,people use to love the way my mother spoke and were affraid of my dads tattos he got after fighting his way to relieve malta
Birmingham just needs a good clean and decent investment. Like many once great English locations it fell foul of a lack of architecural regulation. Landlords and councils should be held accountable for the look of buikding e.g horrible/broken signs, wire hanings out dirt accumlating in corner, rubbish etc. Clean it up sector by sector showing what is possible. Given its location it should and deserves to be a hub of industry and investment. Yes the accent makes people sound like they are only qualified to hold a bucket and sponge but this is not the case. They are not simpletons, just normal people.
Birmingham has a lot going for it but it could do a lot more to promote istself in the arts; we need several big feel-good films set in the second city. Or a highly successful sitcom- similar to what Cold Feet done for Manchester or The Full Monty done for Sheffield
I'm German, currently studying in Birmingham. I just love the accent. It's like music. I'm really sad about it but I'm sure I'll never learn how to speak that way no matter how hard I rey.
I complained about it when I was younger and lived there, but now that I'm gone I kind of miss it. I liked Aston Villa Park and riding my bike around town, by the canals and passed City Centre to Spark Hill and Small Heath, stopping by William Powell full of old fashioned tweeds, even UCE professors were nice compared to boring American ones. Oh well..
Birmingham is such an unambitious city and I live here. A city of over a million people and at best it's only relevance is that it has one half decent shopping centre, the Bull Ring. Our airport isn't even one of the bigger ones in this country even though Birmingham is the second biggest city. Our football teams suck compared to Manchester and Liverpool, let alone London. Manchester has a media hub in MediaCityUK. We have no real tall buildings or a decent skyline to show off. This city is so unexciting. Manchester is miles ahead of us despite having half our population.
+Top Gear It used to be very ambitious. It was the biggest jewellery maker, the biggest small arms manufacturer. It had a big car industry and made other engineering products. It also had great art schools and public amenities - lots of great swimming baths, and parks and great industrialists and social reformers. It has some great schools. It has theatres where a lot of famous actors/actresses got their start, cinemas and its own orchestra.I believe the Ballet company Sadlers Wells has moved there from London. I grew up there and there was loads to do. I came from a working class family but never thought twice about using the libraries, the swimming baths, the cinemas, the parks, dance classes, pottery classes etc. There is lots of lovely architecture in the form of Victorian houses. Birmingham is not just the centre but the surrounding suburbs and countryside. It's a very green city compared to some I've lived in or visited. Various recessions have hit it hard and the government has never seemed to take an interest in or wish to support cities north of London. Osborne is only paying lip service to Manchester now as he has a constituency around there. Thank God Birmingham has no tall buildings. They are going up thick and fast in London and are ruining the city. Often they are just vanity projects for foreign investors with no taste or they are empty property investment vehicles. Birmingham does not want to be copying that. Unfortunately its council has had a history of no vision or taste. They knocked down most of the Victorian centre of the city but they have recently paid more attention to looking after what is left. I love how the old Moor St station looks now. It's like going back in time - lovely. In terms of media, don't forget that Birmingham has "Pebble Mill" studios.
+Top Gear P.S. And the great thing was that you didn't have loads of other people competing to use the facilities as you do in London - so it's a much more relaxing and pleasant experience. London has great amenities too but it mostly means spending lots of time in queues.
I agree to some extent (the lack of ambition thing is true, the city doesnt shout from the rooftops about how great it is, which is part of its charm in a way. Manchester is the total opposite and has been excellent at marketing itself.) but to be fair regarding the skyline thing, Brums skyline is easily the most built up and "biggest" looking of any city outside of London. Manchester has the biggest non-London skyscaper but its one building amongst an otherwise low rise skyline. Brums skyline has far more density. Also theres a hell of a lot of development happening here over in more recent times. The new bull ring, the library, new streets revamp, the mailbox, the cube etc etc, none of that stuff was there in the 90s and theres more on the way constantly. Digbeth is really starting to become something special too.
Top Gear We have 'We made a building with discs, not bricks, " the ICC, and we have Old Joe, the worlds tallest self standing clock tower. Birmingham is great and city centre is a warm, modern atmosphere.
nice clip and highlights Brummies true assets... laid back... good sense of humour... notice no need to slag off other places. We are, after all, at the very heart of this nation and Brummie accent is same as Stratford (seeing as we were once a town in that shire). All good. :)
Hey guys! Im thinking of moving to Birmingham from Nottingham when I go to university. My plan is that if I move there for uni, im wanting to stay and live here after. Do you think Birmingham is a good place to study and move to? Thanks! :D
Birmingham city center is very nice and clean. It looks very modern and center could be compared to London's bests parts. The only problem is that there are some parts out side the center of Birmingham which are not that clean but even London has lot of parts like that.
I'm from Nuneaton :/ but like Birmingham have you ever been to white moors tea rooms or Sutton chinney warf near Stoke Golding and Hinckley It's the best country side in Britain in my opinion plus there's a lovely train station called chentton which you can get to if you walk through the woods at bosworth battle field
West Midlands is a great region and Birmingham is a bright spot on the map. But city council must think big. Big and brave projects must be introduced to fight with other cities in the UK.
well im a brummie and proud, when i lived in canada i was known as the british girl with a unique british accent. i like having an accent that people can clock, its nice being recognised as a brummie in another country by other english peeps
Birmingham is a cool city, a couple of developments short of being a great city. Perhaps the new station will make the difference. I still think Manchester is ahead in terms of claiming the title of England's 'second city'.
I love Birmingham and am proud to be a brummie! Couldn't live too far from the place. I don't understand all the hate! There are much worse accents out there...
Dirty???!!! PISS OFF. I'm proud of my Birmingham accent and we were the greatest leaders of the industrial revolution... I would describe London as DIRTY and Liverpool, no offence but CHAVVY. Look up our history, our accents are great and we are a fantastic modern well known city. These comments really piss me off...
That you have only experienced one other underground system, namely the one in New York and yet you claim London's is the cleanest in the World (!). a bit provincial if you ask me...
Birmingham is awesome! I live near there and I must say I wouldn't feel safe there at night but I do in the day if I go with friends or family. Birmingham is pretty clean and I'm proud to have a Black Country accent (not Brummie)
Politicians keep harping on about the North/South divide. The Midlands is a forgotten region by politicians. The only reason HS2 is coming to Birmingham is because it's on the way to Manchester. By the way, I moved to Birmingham 4 years ago and I love it here.
I been living in USA for 11yrs now...and miss brum more every year!!!...even ERDINGTON!!!...I watched the 2011 riots...and 2013 EDF...and see the tension...but despite all that its still a fact that "brummies" are and always will be the friendliest people of the nation...plus brim has always been the MUSIC HUB of England and the world!!!...second to none!!!
im proud to be a brummie, even though other english people dont like our accent, other countries love it. i have lived in canada for one year now and i am known as the "unique english accent" lol. everybody loves how i talk. will be a shame when i come back home in a few months as i will no longer have an accent but i'll be glad to have some decent shopping lol shopping is so good in brum and i missed the bullring, sad i know. but im brummie and proud :))
I've lived in Birmingham since I was little but I like it here but sometimes I wish I could just move away because Birmingham is so dirty looking and I just wish it looked a little bit better but all an all I love it! And tbf I have a brummie accent but I don't think it's that strong.
DX I have a brummy accent i'm really offended. The first school in England to get a platinum singing award was in Birmingham and I am in the choir of that school and my brother was. We have sang at symphony hall and with famous singers such as Joe Boyce We were visited by E.L.O(electric light orchestra) there all from BIRMINGHAM! our football team may be bad at the moment but our fans are extremely loyal. Were a stunning city with more canals then Venice and more trees then Paris.
Looking for a buy to let and judging the locals as part of it. Yesterday was in Portsmouth and today in Birmingham. I'd rather invest in Brum. City center constant work in progress but obvious improvement. Yet opening hours of new library meagre half a day Sunday closed!?! Ladywood council estate a proof what to avoid in life and business. Best part of the center resembles London and pleasantly surprised by the mix of Greek, Italian and Russian spoken around canalside new-builds, where a studio sells for the price of a three bed down the wrong end
Im from Puerto Rico. I speak english basiclly like an american (no i dont have the sexy latina accent) and i must say i actually find the accent really sexy... yeah its hard to understand but still... i wouldnt mind putting in the extra effort lol
Seeing a lot of our little ankle biters from Manchester here trying to big themselves up and giving us Brummies abuse. No offence but, who are these little people again? Do they have any comparable achievements? Or are they just small town types with a chip on their shoulders?
Hi, I made the video and the track is by Pepe De Luxe, and is called either Woman In Blue or Before She Came.....the latter is what I have written on my ipod but I've been told it's also called Woman In Blue!
I had personally never heard about the "bad rep" of the Brummie accent until AFTER I got back from there (I'm Australian), and I actually have to say that I prefer it to all other English accents!
I am so proud to say "I'm a brummy". Our accent is wonderful, only really maligned because sadly, the average Englishman doesn't really hear too many genuine examples of it, and bases their views on one or two very poor comic impressions on the telly. We'll, you have it be a special kind of stupid to make judgements like that I guess..... But as a brummie? That's their problem - not ours. Brum is a city of hard workers, engineers, scientists, craftsmen, inventors. Three quarters of ALL inventions patented in the uk. One from Birmingham and it's close surrounding area. We produce the majority of jewellery in the uk, automobiles, and most of Britania manufactured goods. The only reason Brum gets bad press is the snobbery from idiots in London who think they are superior due to being the capital. Ironically, Brum is now seen as the number one city destination for Londoners to escape to as life in London is becoming increasingly intolerable. Brum is far cheaper, far safer, and seen increasingly as far more desirable a place to live Perhaps the others are just jealous? Probably :) Brum rocks :)
I've been to Birmingham a couple of times. I'll say this, Brummies are some of the friendliest people in the UK. Everyone seemed helpful and hospitable.
My recent visit was a joy.
People from Birmingham are very laid back. If anyone was rude about Liverpool or Manchester they would raise a lot of anger from the inhabitants but Brummies just laugh things off. That's the nice thing about them, but it means that the media feel they can carry on being rude about Brimingham even though they don't know it well. Trying to damage the reputation of England's second city does not improve the reputation of London, it just drags down the UK as a whole, because historically Birmingham has been a great engine of the UK economy and a place of great innovation and creativity.
It's Muslim no go zone everyone is Muslim, saw it on Fox News so it must be true
Nathan Hill You saw it on Fox news, meaning you have not been there yourself. So if a media outlet said your father was a criminal would you believe it?
Lolalai They said the same thing about Paris which was false, now France is planning to sue fox news. Skid row is possible the biggest crap hole in western society.
+Anesha Begum I think Nathan Hill is being ironic.
+Anesha Begum lol dude said Fox News!!!! That just shows u how ignorant dude is! Brainwashed media
Brummies are the friendliest people in the country.. All the Brummies I've met have been down to earth, decent, humble people.
Unlike Londoners!! Couldn't agree more! #Brumrules 😝
+Ricki Paddon it's a disgusting city
+best349 How is ANY other big city less disgusting?
theodor cole FFS I lived there for 3 months worked there 4 3 months & it was hell on earth = Birmingham wants to be a Muslim city = get on with it I have left & don't give a fuck what your shithole does but it was hell
theodor cole Muslims having a go at gay's & sexually coming on to women & mangers turning blind eyes = Birmingham - sick
Im a Yank, and to be honest the show "Peaky Blinders" brought me here. Thought id do some research and learn about you Red Coats ;). Just playin, you English are awesome. Love being deployed with your Brits! Love from the States!
Oh Ahhhh. We'll get off yer fookin computer yank, get over here and we'll take you round town and but you a pint. - welcome to the greatest city on earth son ;)
Ps.... I love peaky blinders mate. The garrison pub is still there, have drunk in it a few times though it's closed at the moment.
Problem is there is no reference to the Peaky Blinders in any History Book of Birmingham, the garrison pub was used by local gans yes but they were only pickpockets and general thieves, no one carried shot guns on their shoulders in Birmingham, may be Chicago and it was not filmed in Birmingham it was filmed in Liverpool and the Black Country Museum which is 15 miles from Birmingham, sorry to disappoint you, but as a True Brummie I am rather embarrassed about the trash of Peaky Blinders.
I grew up and spent my early adulthood in Birmingham. I'm constantly annoyed by the London centric media's lazy and misleading portrayals of Birmingham. It's a very green city, full of Parks and good sports and creative facilities for young people. It has more garden space than London houses - like for like. It's also surrounded by great countryside which is much easier to get to than if you live in London. The humour is dry and can be very witty. People are very can do but they don't boast about it. They just get on with it. JRR Tolkien spent his childhood there and his books were influenced by the countryside he saw there. Shakespeare lived not far off and was also influenced by the countryside around there. There is a lot of wonderful Victorian 20th century housing which is much more affordable than London.
Thank you 👏👏 at least someone is proud
I never stop being proud - the city that put the great into Great Britain through its incredible hard working people and their creativity. Very few other cities in the world could match our collective achievements. Londoners do seen to think they're special but in truth they're only the shop window of the uk - the real brain and the brains behind this country have always been the second city.
And who else could boast of being a wonderful place to visit and live while at the sane time still being a useful major manufacturing and exporting city? Manchester certainly can't lol.
SPENT71 Don't forget the city of Ozzy!
i m seeing the videos from B, and i love it. my neighbour is from leeds & have worked in london. (i live in sydney now).. he tells me B is very good. i m going to manchester soon for work. although some people say M is the second city in UK (and some say B is the 2nd) still i feel i like the videos from B more.:((( i can't ask the workplace to move to B !
No one says Manchester is britains 2nd city , unless they're thick, Birmingham is, and has always been the 2nd city
Love my Brum,,, very proud of it,,,miss it the old brum,,,never mind,,,great place
Yes I like the old Brum.
Birmingham is very underrated - more green space than people think, a thriving arts scene and a lot to do (current situation apart). It's true though that there are still a lot of derelict sites even close to the centre (e.g. in Digbeth). "It's the second city but nobody takes any notice of it" sounds about right. I lived there for four years and definitely preferred it to living in London.
I went to Birmingham 2 months ago and Im so happy and proud to say I love it !!!! I want to go back and honestly I think is awesome !!! Bwt I'm Mexican :)
Glad you loved by City.
i am austrian (native austrian-german speaking) and i like the birmingham accent so much. it sounds more authentic, i mean typical english than the london accent. a very melodic accent.
I'm not even British. I'm Bulgarian and I currently live in Berlin. Last weekend I met this guy from Birminghan in an Irish pub and we spent the weekend together and needless to say now I totally adore the accent! :D I think it sounds really sexy and cute at the same time!
***** Thanks!
sam mark yeah but london is bigger and is the capital so it has to have a better rep so why not fix up rather than tryna shift focus to the second city.
Living in Edinburgh gives you very relaxed sense of aspiration. 500 a month for a flat overlooking a castle, while people in London are 'stretching every financial sinew' for a flat in Notting Hill.
I used to live in Birmingham, I left some parts of my soul there! I missed the place, the people and the accent!
as a foreign student of english i find the birmingham accent more difficult to understand, but it's great to see how the people are proud of their accent
Its mad to see how much town has changed since 2009 to now.
The countryside and nature in and near to Birmingham inspired JRR Tolkien's description of "The Shire" in "The Hobbit" and "Lord of the Rings". It inspired the "Diary of an Edwardian Country Lady" and it inspired Shakespeare. Most of the national media is based in the South of England and most southern journalists are too lazy to get to know the rest of the country.
I'm sure it was Lancashire that inspired Tolkien since he wrote the Lord Of The Rings at Stoneyhurst College which is based in Lancashire.
It could be both. The Wikipedia page on "Lord of the Rings" states "Some locations and characters were inspired by Tolkien's childhood in Birmingham, where he first lived near Sarehole Mill, and later near Edgbaston Reservoir.[33] There are also hints of the Black Country, which is within easy reach of north west Edgbaston. This shows in such names as "Underhill", and the description of Saruman's industrialization of Isengard and The Shire. It has also been suggested that The Shire and its surroundings were based on the countryside around Stonyhurst College in Lancashire where Tolkien frequently stayed during the 1940s".
I've always thought of Lancashire as a fairly flat county. "The Shire" as depicted in Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit looks more to me like countryside around Birmingham - more undulating.
+Helen Trope your correct
@@Athleticmaleuk J R Tolkien was inspired to write Lord of the Rings and Twin towers because of his childhood escapades around Sarehole Mill near Yardley wood in Birmingham, the two towers was again inspired by two towers in Ladywood Birmingham, Perrott's Folly and the water Works tower near Edgebaston reservoir, not the twin Trade Towers as some yanks thought. His Nephew is now a sculptor and designed a tribute to the Spitfire and stands on an traffic Island at Castle Vale in Brum outside the Jaguar plant where spitfires were assembled before being moved over the road to Castle Bromwich RAF Station where they were test flied by Alex Henshaw chief test pilot, this has now gone and it is the Castle Vale Housing Estate.
@@peterwilliamallen1063 the shire is based on the malvern Hills in Worcestershire, he spent time alot of time in Worcestershire due to his mother living there, she is buried in St John's cemetery in bromsgrove, Worcestershire. He also took inspiration from his time in South africa
Really interesting video and provides honest insight into how the general public feel about their city and the invariably biased preconceived views from London.
No one has any say over their accent
and no one should feel inferior based on their accent.
I rather like Birmingham people. I accidentally left my mobile on the train and some stranger offered me his to make a quick call. People will more often than not hold a door open for the person behind them too. Decent folk.
Jon Hunter Yes, the people are very nice, it's just that stupid accent that bugs me.
john sam Oh isn't this funny on one video, you were saying that Birmingham is racist, crime ridden, segregated, full of chavs, the unemployed, uneducated, good to see that you change your tune. see Birmingham isn't a bad place as you thought due to the London and Manchester biasd media
@@itsjemmabond What is so stupid about the Brummie accent, there are loads of accents in the UK, so what is so different about the Brummie accent.
"One million people with speech impediment" , that was a bit rude.
***** Only because of the accent?
Paul Anderson oh come on it was a bit funny
+Paul Anderson Ashamed to live near Brum, it's a shit hole.
+Harmonic Grunt (TheGrunt) Ah fuck ya mate.
Harmonic Grunt the south west of the city with Edgbaston and Harborne is pretty nice mate. Great pic btw lol.
Californian here
This is the first I've heard of this brummie accent but I think it sounds nice just the same as the typical English London accent I've heard
I don't understand why ppl criticize it , it sounds nice to me
People criticise it because they’re snobs. It’s prejudice more than anything else, mixed in with classism and racism.
I don't care if it's rough, I love living in Birmingham and I'm proud of being a Brummie.
People of Birmingham are so down to earth.
***** Cant help but notice you listed white areas after your accusation of brummies being racist. Are you suggesting the Asian and black people in the city arent racist? or perhaps that the Asian and blacks in the city arent proper brummies (which would actually be somewhat racist)?
ministryOFmuff mk
Bb
Emmy Jeffery Thanks
john sam lies lies lies. You're a funny one. Birmingham is one of the most diverse cities in the country. You must love Birmingham though seeing as you spend so much time watching videos of the city.
Try writing in proper sentences. Maybe the education isn't as good down South as it is here by the looks of your garbage paragraphs.
U r the most amazing commenter ever. I completely and utterly agree. I love London because my mother was born there but Birmingham is always first. We are very humble and have AMAZING accents! XD
Can't believe all the negative comments. Don't know Birmingham that well but actually visiting it today. I'm a Londoner and whilst it's a huge city and the only real UK city with a global significance, personally I can't wait to leave! London has become a city that's only a great place to live if you're super wealthy. It's over crowded and stressful which means the people are often in a bad mood. I've visited most parts of the UK and most have a certain charm about them. I prefer the countryside to cities but have had some great times visiting cities like Liverpool and Edinburgh for example.
+Gary Box I have to agree, I grew up in SW9 so I never got the rich shit yeah but it has become a real bad place
john sam Your a Fucking troll, i bet you'll shit yourself when i give out your address online with your picture. Its about time trolls get there beatings
I just love Birmingham! I miss it so much!
Great city, lovely accent, amazing people!
Daniel Peixoto Martins do you live in Baghdad now?
I miss so much Birmingham . I am French . Great souvenirs . Very kind people . 17 years after , Kelly I still love you .
Having been born and bred in Birmingham the reputation we have saddens and angers me. People think Brummies sound stupid, but we're not. I'm very proud of my city and wouldn't live anywhere else.
Birmingham is not an unsafe city , maybe its a bit rough but in the real world id rather be in Birmingham rather than some other places. Solihull (10km east) got awarded the safest , cheapest and best quality of life in Western Europe this year
Brum is officially Britains safest major city.
SPENT71 yet its been called gun crime capital of the UK so how does that work?
Won't get acid chucked at ya face up here mate.
Birmingham is riddled with drugs and violence and racist and chavs too. Areas are not nice or safe.
Birmingham is ranked the most dangerous part in the west midlands I wonder.
Brummies are true down to earth people they tell it how it is!
It is what it is as we say!
@@rogerdoger3347 no they are not racists. They may tell the truth and not brush things over though.
@@kimberley2189 Brummies are racist and look how racist and segregated areas are in Birmingham with little integration the older generation especially are very backwards and bigoted and the younger generation are no better , Birmingham is a segregated shithole. Multiculturalism doesn't work in Birmingham and west Midlands as people are not used to mixing and never will most are only used to white and that's it .
@@rogerdoger3347 that’s your opinion your entitled to it.
@@Morecanalsthanvenice Segregated racist city and region Birmingham and west Midlands. Nothing is working no unity or care people in Birmingham and west Midlands are very backwards and not progressive the council is the cause of the poverty and deprivation and segregation in the city and region . People are in denial of thier racial agendas and try to suppress how they feel .
i love Birmingham. Been here my whole life and i think it is a very underrated city. I'm not the biggest fan of the accent and have been told by people that i don't speak with a Birmingham accent. BIG UP BRUM
Of course you speak with a brummy accent - most of is get told "you don't have a brummie accent" when we travel outside town - it's because most other people are a bit thick and think the Black Country accent is actually brummie
@@Steven-wf5ws people usually tell me I sound like a Londoner (Londoners say this) and they mean it as a compliment, which irritates me. I do sound like a fairly posh Londoner but I’m Brummie through and through and I refuse to be flattered by people being snobbish about the Brummie accent. I never feel quite at home until I’m surrounded by Brummie voices and proper midlands people.
I have a 70% positive view of Birmingham. I used to study in Wolverhampton, I live in Sunderland now but im moving to the second city when I can.
I'm an American now. I lived in Birmingham before moving here when I was 3. We don't have any home videos from the time, so I came here to this video to find out what I must've sounded like as a kid. Nice to know I spoke like a boss back then.
From the USA and love me some Brummies!
my parents moved to canada ,people use to love the way my mother spoke and were affraid of my dads tattos he got after fighting his way to relieve malta
Birmingham just needs a good clean and decent investment. Like many once great English locations it fell foul of a lack of architecural regulation. Landlords and councils should be held accountable for the look of buikding e.g horrible/broken signs, wire hanings out dirt accumlating in corner, rubbish etc. Clean it up sector by sector showing what is possible. Given its location it should and deserves to be a hub of industry and investment. Yes the accent makes people sound like they are only qualified to hold a bucket and sponge but this is not the case. They are not simpletons, just normal people.
Agree the accent is annoying and the city is ugly.
Birmingham has a lot going for it but it could do a lot more to promote istself in the arts; we need several big feel-good films set in the second city. Or a highly successful sitcom- similar to what Cold Feet done for Manchester or The Full Monty done for Sheffield
I'm German, currently studying in Birmingham. I just love the accent. It's like music. I'm really sad about it but I'm sure I'll never learn how to speak that way no matter how hard I rey.
I live near birmingham uni and everyone i know says it's a good place to go. I moved here 9 years ago and love it here.
I am just a month in here...my opinion, super awesome place, very nice people and the weather...did i say bull ring !!...the bull without balls...
I loooove this!!
I complained about it when I was younger and lived there, but now that I'm gone I kind of miss it. I liked Aston Villa Park and riding my bike around town, by the canals and passed City Centre to Spark Hill and Small Heath, stopping by William Powell full of old fashioned tweeds, even UCE professors were nice compared to boring American ones. Oh well..
I live in Small Heath.
Great video, very interesting to watch.
I live in Canada and i met someone with a brummie accent for the first time , like WOW ! I LOVE IT ,I THINK ITS THE SEXIEST ENGLISH ACCENT ! ! !
Cheers arr kid
Daniel Manu The Canadian accent sounds overly friendly to me 😂
Maybe i should move to Canada.....
Birmingham is such an unambitious city and I live here. A city of over a million people and at best it's only relevance is that it has one half decent shopping centre, the Bull Ring. Our airport isn't even one of the bigger ones in this country even though Birmingham is the second biggest city. Our football teams suck compared to Manchester and Liverpool, let alone London. Manchester has a media hub in MediaCityUK. We have no real tall buildings or a decent skyline to show off. This city is so unexciting. Manchester is miles ahead of us despite having half our population.
+Top Gear Show some civic pride my Brummie brother !
+Top Gear It used to be very ambitious. It was the biggest jewellery maker, the biggest small arms manufacturer. It had a big car industry and made other engineering products. It also had great art schools and public amenities - lots of great swimming baths, and parks and great industrialists and social reformers. It has some great schools. It has theatres where a lot of famous actors/actresses got their start, cinemas and its own orchestra.I believe the Ballet company Sadlers Wells has moved there from London. I grew up there and there was loads to do. I came from a working class family but never thought twice about using the libraries, the swimming baths, the cinemas, the parks, dance classes, pottery classes etc. There is lots of lovely architecture in the form of Victorian houses. Birmingham is not just the centre but the surrounding suburbs and countryside. It's a very green city compared to some I've lived in or visited. Various recessions have hit it hard and the government has never seemed to take an interest in or wish to support cities north of London. Osborne is only paying lip service to Manchester now as he has a constituency around there. Thank God Birmingham has no tall buildings. They are going up thick and fast in London and are ruining the city. Often they are just vanity projects for foreign investors with no taste or they are empty property investment vehicles. Birmingham does not want to be copying that. Unfortunately its council has had a history of no vision or taste. They knocked down most of the Victorian centre of the city but they have recently paid more attention to looking after what is left. I love how the old Moor St station looks now. It's like going back in time - lovely. In terms of media, don't forget that Birmingham has "Pebble Mill" studios.
+Top Gear P.S. And the great thing was that you didn't have loads of other people competing to use the facilities as you do in London - so it's a much more relaxing and pleasant experience. London has great amenities too but it mostly means spending lots of time in queues.
I agree to some extent (the lack of ambition thing is true, the city doesnt shout from the rooftops about how great it is, which is part of its charm in a way. Manchester is the total opposite and has been excellent at marketing itself.) but to be fair regarding the skyline thing, Brums skyline is easily the most built up and "biggest" looking of any city outside of London. Manchester has the biggest non-London skyscaper but its one building amongst an otherwise low rise skyline. Brums skyline has far more density.
Also theres a hell of a lot of development happening here over in more recent times. The new bull ring, the library, new streets revamp, the mailbox, the cube etc etc, none of that stuff was there in the 90s and theres more on the way constantly. Digbeth is really starting to become something special too.
Top Gear We have 'We made a building with discs, not bricks, " the ICC, and we have Old Joe, the worlds tallest self standing clock tower. Birmingham is great and city centre is a warm, modern atmosphere.
nice clip and highlights Brummies true assets... laid back... good sense of humour... notice no need to slag off other places. We are, after all, at the very heart of this nation and Brummie accent is same as Stratford (seeing as we were once a town in that shire). All good. :)
Hey guys!
Im thinking of moving to Birmingham from Nottingham when I go to university. My plan is that if I move there for uni, im wanting to stay and live here after. Do you think Birmingham is a good place to study and move to?
Thanks! :D
Finally an American guy who doesn't say "British accent"! I salute you mate
5:24 onwards is brilliant
Birmingham city center is very nice and clean. It looks very modern and center could be compared to London's bests parts. The only problem is that there are some parts out side the center of Birmingham which are not that clean but even London has lot of parts like that.
“Britain’s 2nd city’s” tbh it’s like its 10th most important city tho
I'm from the United States, and I can say I really like the Brummie accent.
after a week of being there, I had slightly picked up a Birmingham accent ! It was SO funny .But when I got home I quickly faded!
I'm from Nuneaton :/ but like Birmingham have you ever been to white moors tea rooms or Sutton chinney warf near Stoke Golding and Hinckley It's the best country side in Britain in my opinion plus there's a lovely train station called chentton which you can get to if you walk through the woods at bosworth battle field
1:58 as a foreigner living in Southampton for the last 3y, this made me fall off my seat laughing.
West Midlands is a great region and Birmingham is a bright spot on the map. But city council must think big. Big and brave projects must be introduced to fight with other cities in the UK.
well im a brummie and proud, when i lived in canada i was known as the british girl with a unique british accent. i like having an accent that people can clock, its nice being recognised as a brummie in another country by other english peeps
can someone tell me what is shown at 2:08
It is one of the standart windows 7 wallpapers and I always wondered whhat it could of been...
great video, enjoyable to watch and some real honest opinions
Birmingham is a cool city, a couple of developments short of being a great city. Perhaps the new station will make the difference. I still think Manchester is ahead in terms of claiming the title of England's 'second city'.
I love Birmingham and am proud to be a brummie! Couldn't live too far from the place. I don't understand all the hate! There are much worse accents out there...
My dear late ex girlfriend was from Birmingham and I have cousins from there and one much missed pen pal from the small heath area.
Dirty???!!! PISS OFF. I'm proud of my Birmingham accent and we were the greatest leaders of the industrial revolution... I would describe London as DIRTY and Liverpool, no offence but CHAVVY. Look up our history, our accents are great and we are a fantastic modern well known city. These comments really piss me off...
***** Like where?
***** You are only mentioning the underground in New York, anywhere else?
That you have only experienced one other underground system, namely the one in New York and yet you claim London's is the cleanest in the World (!). a bit provincial if you ask me...
Can you believe that this city is the source of incredible rock bands like Judas Priest and Black Sabbath? Man, I'll still live in this city!
Birmingham is awesome! I live near there and I must say I wouldn't feel safe there at night but I do in the day if I go with friends or family. Birmingham is pretty clean and I'm proud to have a Black Country accent (not Brummie)
Does anyone know what music track is used at the beginning (after Gorillaz - Kids With Guns) at 0:23 ?
Does anybody know if there's any footage inside the old bull ring anywhere?
Politicians keep harping on about the North/South divide. The Midlands is a forgotten region by politicians. The only reason HS2 is coming to Birmingham is because it's on the way to Manchester.
By the way, I moved to Birmingham 4 years ago and I love it here.
I love the Brummie accent, it's amazin'.
You must be deaf
Sheffield has a population of 640k or 513k if we are talking resident population so why aren't we on at the start?
Brummies: Love the people, hate the accent.
I been living in USA for 11yrs now...and miss brum more every year!!!...even ERDINGTON!!!...I watched the 2011 riots...and 2013 EDF...and see the tension...but despite all that its still a fact that "brummies" are and always will be the friendliest people of the nation...plus brim has always been the MUSIC HUB of England and the world!!!...second to none!!!
Really not much to miss about erdington now, it is a horrible place to live now.
@@thekings8425 Fraid not mate.
My grandad was a peeky blinder, only few will know.
im proud to be a brummie, even though other english people dont like our accent, other countries love it. i have lived in canada for one year now and i am known as the "unique english accent" lol. everybody loves how i talk. will be a shame when i come back home in a few months as i will no longer have an accent but i'll be glad to have some decent shopping lol shopping is so good in brum and i missed the bullring, sad i know. but im brummie and proud :))
I've lived in Birmingham since I was little but I like it here but sometimes I wish I could just move away because Birmingham is so dirty looking and I just wish it looked a little bit better but all an all I love it! And tbf I have a brummie accent but I don't think it's that strong.
I came for the accent, and stayed for the rest XD
are you from Philly?? Cos in your last post you said you were from Bordesley Green
I actually like Birmingham I wish I didn't move out of there
DX I have a brummy accent i'm really offended. The first school in England to get a platinum singing award was in Birmingham and I am in the choir of that school and my brother was. We have sang at symphony hall and with famous singers such as Joe Boyce We were visited by E.L.O(electric light orchestra) there all from BIRMINGHAM! our football team may be bad at the moment but our fans are extremely loyal. Were a stunning city with more canals then Venice and more trees then Paris.
3:22 sutton coldfield town centre high street
Hi Ciaran
only the news would show the rundown areas of birmingham, but the canal district near the NEC is brilliant
should I place Birmingham Uni as a UCAS choice on the basis of it being a nice(ish) city?
Looking for a buy to let and judging the locals as part of it. Yesterday was in Portsmouth and today in Birmingham. I'd rather invest in Brum. City center constant work in progress but obvious improvement. Yet opening hours of new library meagre half a day Sunday closed!?! Ladywood council estate a proof what to avoid in life and business.
Best part of the center resembles London and pleasantly surprised by the mix of Greek, Italian and Russian spoken around canalside new-builds, where a studio sells for the price of a three bed down the wrong end
Did than tool with the specs call it birnminam and hes from there ?
Published on my birthday,,,, let's collaborate,,, good video
Trey way
Im from Puerto Rico. I speak english basiclly like an american (no i dont have the sexy latina accent) and i must say i actually find the accent really sexy... yeah its hard to understand but still... i wouldnt mind putting in the extra effort lol
3:33 HIM! WHAT KIND OF ACCENT DOES HE HAVE? Or would you say he has/ is from?
I loooove the brummie accent. Its so cute!
@ItsEmmalicious fitting, because birmingham is also the largest city in alabama
Seeing a lot of our little ankle biters from Manchester here trying to big themselves up and giving us Brummies abuse.
No offence but, who are these little people again? Do they have any comparable achievements? Or are they just small town types with a chip on their shoulders?
Steven I know this comment is old but I have been to both alot and Manchester just feels really dead and gloomy
Hi, I made the video and the track is by Pepe De Luxe, and is called either Woman In Blue or Before She Came.....the latter is what I have written on my ipod but I've been told it's also called Woman In Blue!
I had personally never heard about the "bad rep" of the Brummie accent until AFTER I got back from there (I'm Australian), and I actually have to say that I prefer it to all other English accents!
I went out this weekend and bought a new Jack Russell puppy for the family. It's black & brown with a small white area...so I called it Birmingham...
I am so proud to say "I'm a brummy". Our accent is wonderful, only really maligned because sadly, the average Englishman doesn't really hear too many genuine examples of it, and bases their views on one or two very poor comic impressions on the telly. We'll, you have it be a special kind of stupid to make judgements like that I guess..... But as a brummie? That's their problem - not ours.
Brum is a city of hard workers, engineers, scientists, craftsmen, inventors. Three quarters of ALL inventions patented in the uk. One from Birmingham and it's close surrounding area. We produce the majority of jewellery in the uk, automobiles, and most of Britania manufactured goods. The only reason Brum gets bad press is the snobbery from idiots in London who think they are superior due to being the capital.
Ironically, Brum is now seen as the number one city destination for Londoners to escape to as life in London is becoming increasingly intolerable. Brum is far cheaper, far safer, and seen increasingly as far more desirable a place to live
Perhaps the others are just jealous? Probably :)
Brum rocks :)
love it
This video must be several years old because Birmingham is well over 1 million now
Brum home of Ozzy!
And ELO and they are famous all over the world, Wizzard
you should be proud no matter where you come from...
3:21 yes lads, Sutton FTW
It's interesting how countries around the world have internal stereotypes of each other
1:43 - sounds exactly like Alan Rickman