Oxford Accent

When freshmen return in October, they will be second year men and women. Academically, they will be approaching middle age. How much of a stamp has Oxford put on them already? Have they started to acquire an Oxford accent?

The Oxford accent exists, but it defies definition. It is not as the French think the kind of English which is spoken within a twenty mile radius of the city. Indeed, it is not an accent at all, but a manner of speaking. In particular it is a manner of pausing in your speech, of pausing not at the end of sentences, where you might be interrupted, but in the middle of sentences. Nobody, it is to be hoped, will be so rude as to interrupt you when you are in the middle of a sentence. So pause there to decide what your next sentence is going to be. Then, having decided, move quickly forward to it without a moment's pause at the full stop. Yet, jumping your full stops - that is the Oxford accent. Do it well, and you will be able to talk forever. Nobody will have the chance of breaking in and stealing the conversation from you.

The Oxford accent, so called, is also a matter of redefining the other person's statement on your terms. Wait for him to say whatever he has to say. Then start yourself: "What you really mean is ...". Nothing could be ruder.