Different Accents and Dialects within England
Within England, there is no single accent or dialect; estimates suggest there are around 40 different regional variations. Let's explore them, their origins, and the distinctions between them.
So, what exactly are accents and dialects?
An accent is the way a language is pronounced. It can be influenced by location, both on a larger scale (such as a country) and a smaller scale (such as regions within a country), as well as by social class. Conversely, a dialect is a variety of a language that differs in grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary.
Where do these accents and dialects come from?
Looking back at history, we can understand how different accents emerged nationwide.
In the 9th century, Germanic tribes travelled from Northwest Europe to settle in Britain. They brought with them the varied dialects of their Germanic language. As new settlements were established, Old English accents developed, slowly evolving into the modernised versions we can now see today.
So, what are these varied accents we're discussing? Let's look at some of the main ones.
The English accents and dialects of today:
1. Received Pronunciation (RP)-
Received pronunciation, sometimes referred to as ‘Queen’s English’, is commonly associated with those living in London and the Southeast of England. Features of this accent include clear and distinct vowels, long vowel sounds, and slower, more deliberate speech.
2. Cockney-
The Cockney accent is a traditional dialect and accent of the residents of East London. Its pronunciation is characterised by features such as h-dropping (e.g., “here” becomes “ere”), some vowels pronounced differently, and th-fronting where the “th” sound is pronounced as “f” or “v”.
Moreover, Cockney rhyming slang is a famous language variation where new phrases are created to convey meaning. For example, the word “stairs" is replaced with the phrase "apples and pears”.
3. Brummie-
The Brummie dialect belongs to those from Birmingham in the West Midlands of England. It has a monotone quality with extended segments maintaining the same pitch. However, when Brummies emphasise a word, it usually becomes significantly elongated, often accompanied by abrupt increases or decreases in tone.
Furthermore, Brummie includes unique words and expressions that are uncommon in other varieties of English. For example, 'bab' is a term of endearment widely used in Birmingham.
4. Scouse –
Originating in Liverpool, the Scouse accent is an important part of local identity. It is characterised by its musical quality with varied pitch and a quick, sharp rhythm.
Scouse also includes unique words and phrases, such as 'la,' which is used like 'mate' to address friends.
5. Geordie-
Geordie is a way of speaking from Newcastle and nearby areas in Northeast England. Geordie speech often has a unique way of sounding, with sentences going up in pitch at the end. The way people talk can change, sometimes it's faster and sounds melodic.
Additionally, Geordie has its own unique words and phrases, for instance, "hinny" means "darling" or "sweetheart."
6. West Country
The West Country accent can be found in – you guessed it – the west of England, specifically in the Southwest, including areas such as Bristol, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset, and Wiltshire. The origins of the West Country accent can be traced back to early West-Saxon dialects (remember the Germanic tribes we were talking about), which evolved into Old English during the Middle Ages.
The West Country accent is easily recognised by several distinct features. Firstly, it's known for retaining the "r" sound at the end of words, which is different from many other British accents. Additionally, vowels in words like "face" are often pronounced with elongated or altered sounds, such as "fayce". Consonant sounds also vary, with the "h" sometimes dropped in words like "him" becoming "im".
Conclusion
The variety of accents across England adds a rich variety to the country. From the clear tones of Received Pronunciation in the south to the unique sounds of the West Country and Northern dialects, each area brings its own style to English.