I think I need to flag this up today. Fascinating news on the communication aid front: researchers in america are developing VOCAs with regional accents. They have developed a database of voices, taking samples from as many people from different areas and of as many ages as possible, so that people like myself can have the accent associated with the area they come from. I say it’s about time! Back at uni, it was a long-running joke to ask why I had an American accent. At least with this new tech I would be able to sound like the Cheshire lad I am, or perhaps adopt a south-east London twang when I need to blend in down here.