Wellington, Oct 12 (ANI): In a new survey, the kiwi accent has been rated the most attractive and prestigious form of English outside the UK.

Britons responded to an online survey rating the prestige and social attractiveness of 34 different accents of English.

In the BBC survey, the kiwi “fush and chups” came seven places ahead of Australia’s “sex and Seedney” - and nine ahead of the American accent in terms of attractiveness.

Professor Allan Bell, Director of AUT’s Institute of Culture, Discourse and Communication said that the survey has shown that New Zealand English is relatively close to the prestige British accents.

“On the social side, it seems to represent generally positive British attitudes to New Zealand and New Zealanders,” the New Zealand Herald quoted him as saying.

Bell also said the fact that British rate New Zealand English so highly is ironical, because studies of New Zealanders’ attitudes show they are prefer British English to their own accent.

New Zealand English was the 6th most socially attractive accent, placed above the Queen’s English (7th) and well ahead of Australian (13th) and American English (15th).

Kiwis also ranked high (7th) on prestige, again above Australian (11th) and American English (8th). (ANI)