Estuary Accent of English

Abstract

For several decades ‗Estuary English‘ has always been presented as an argumentative issue. Un ignorable number of linguists, researchers besides the lay public brought this issue into discussion. This research paper provides an overview of what ‗Estuary English‘ actually is, what its functions are or whether it really exists, the social and geographical status of the new variety among other varieties of English used in Britain, the salient features of this variety, its nature, its origins and its speakers. Also this paper looks at how standard RP was influenced by the lowest working class - Cockney accent - and the result was the emergence of the so-called ‗Estuary English‘ on one hand. On the other hand, the paper touches on a number of views that tend to prove it as an independent variety in its own right. The linguists and researchers interested in issues mentioned above were two parties: Supporters and opponents, so it may replace the current RP and be the new Standard English in the future.