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The formation of dialects is an interesting topic. It is especially useful in understanding early British history for which actual historical records are not available. Dialects formed because without the existence of modern mass media, transportatioin, and communcation, people had much more limited horizons. People living in small communities with few outside coontacts tended to develop dialects. We do not fully understand the process in England, but some elements of the process do stand out.
The most interesting aspect of English dialects is that they tend to conform to the boundaries of the early Anglo-Saxon kingsoms. In general, however, English dialects are divided into Nothern, Midlands and Southern. Further diversity is provided by the Celtic-based Welsh and Cornish to the West. This corrspons to rhe Anglo-Saxon settlement pattern Northumbrian, Mercia, West Saxon, and Kentish, along with the Celtic Fringe (Cornwall and Wales). As late as the early 20th century, the British people spoke an amazing mix of English dialects. Americans may remember Professor Higgins complaining about Eliza's Cockney dialect in London. There were, however, many more regional based accents. Some English speakers such as in Yorkshire, Scotland, Lancashire, and Somerset were very difficult for Americans and some English people to understand. English dialects are not only helpful in understanding English history, but they are also part of the reaon for the developmnt of regional dialects in American English.English regional dialects are not just historical anomalies. For many years they had social class connotations. Many English people did not see people with regional accents as educated as thoes with standard public school accents which of course were the affluent clasx that attended the public schools. This attitude has moderated over time, but has not disappeared. The dialects and accents in Britain were much more pronounced than regional American accents. This rather surprised me. I had assumed that America as a larger country with more diverse roots would have more pronounced regional dialects. This is not in fact the case. America does have regional dialects, but they are much less pronounced than those in England.
The formation of dialects is an interesting topic. It is especially useful in understanding early British history for which actual historical records are not available. Dialects formed because without the existence of modern mass media, transportatioin, and communcation, people had much more limited horizons. People living in small communities with few outside coontacts tended to develop dialects. We do not fully understand the process in England, but some elements of the process do stand out.
The most interesting aspect of English dialects is that they tend to conform to the boundaries of the early Anglo-Saxon kingsoms. The history of these kingdoms is not well know, althouh the Anglo Saxon Chronivles provide some interesting information. These kingdoms were destoyed in inerecine wars and by the Vikings with only Wessex surviving. The fact the English dialects generally conform to the boundaries of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms confirms the fact that the original Celtic Britons were eliminated and Celtic had little influence on the development of English. The Anglo-Saxon kingdoms were founded by the Germanic tribes (Angles, Jutes, and Saxons) invading Britain (5th century). This means that the modern dialects are founded on variations in the Germanic language of the invaders, today commomnly referred to as Old English. Further reginal differences resulted from the Old Norse of the Viking invaders. The Viking influence was especially prevalent in the east and north. Norman French had a profound impact in English, but I do not believe that the impact was regional. Church Latin was another language affecting English and there may have been a regional influence. The Celtic Church played a major role in the conversion of the north while the Roman Church was more important in the south.
In general, however, English dialects are divided into Nothern, Midlands and Southern. Further diversity is provided by the Celtic-based Welsh and Cornish to the West. This corrspons to rhe Anglo-Saxon settlement pattern Northumbrian, Mercia, West Saxon, and Kentish, along with the Celtic Fringe (Cornwall and Wales). [McCrum, Cran, and MacNeil, p. 63.] As late as the early 20th century, the British people spoke an amazing mix of English dialects. Americans may remember Professor Higgins complaining about Eliza's Cockney dialect in London. There were, however, many more regional based accents. Some English speakers such as in Yorkshire, Scotland, Lancashire, and Somerset were very difficult for Americans and some English people to understand. A Lancashire reader writes, "Tha's rote a reht gradely page aboot istoory ov th Inglish language. This is my my best attempt to express in the Lancashire dialect about this page being a very good one." A British reader writes, "An American couple I once had the pleasure to have dinner with commented thus, 'We have been to France and understood the French people when we spoke in English but we meet an Englishman and can't fully understand what you say. When I was 12. I went to Brighton in Sussex. I met relations who had lived there all their lives.It was two days before I became used to their accent and could fully understand them. Even so there are some words spoken in Tajikistan that are similar sounding to Lancashire dialect words and they mean the same too. One is 'nay' meaning no. 'Nay lad tha can't have a toffee.' ( No son you can't have a candy.)" Another reader writes, "In lessons story's about northern people were read such as Bill Nauton's 'Goal Keeper's Revenge.' The pupils enjoyed the story best when the reader was from the North of England. The strangest experience is that people in the South of England like to copy a Northern accent and will spoke with you in this way. Such is the impact of the Northern Dialect. It is fun to listen too when Hollywood gives it a try. They get it wrong and have a Northern people speaking with a cockney accent. There are lots of jokes about teachers from London coming to a Northern town. One joke has the London teacher asking, 'Where's the bin?' This person is asking for the waste paper bin. However Northern folk ask it to find out ' Where a person has been.' This misunderstanding is the joke.'"
English dialects are not only helpful in understanding English history, but they are also part of the reaon for the developmnt of regional dialects in American English.
English regional dialects are not just historical anomalies. For many years they had social class connotations. Many English people did not see people with regional accents as educated as thoes with standard public school accents which of course were the affluent clasx that attended the public schools. This attitude has moderated over time, but has not disappeared. .
The dialects and accents in Britain were much more pronounced than regional American accents. This rather surprised me. I had assumed that America as a larger country with more diverse roots would have more pronounced regional dialects. This is not in fact the case. America does have regional dialects, but they are much less pronounced than those in England.
McCrum, Robert, William Cran, and Robert MacNeil. The Story of English (Viking: New York, 1986), 384p.
Taylor, J.P.
Anglo Saxon Chronivles.
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