Re: Of accents & dialects (was: Azurian phonology)

Eldin Raigmore wrote:
> On Mon, 20 Oct 2008 14:27:05 +0100, R A Brown
> <ray@...> wrote:
>> Benct Philip Jonsson wrote:
>> [snip]
[snip]
>>
>> But if we say someone is speaking a regional dialect, it means that not
>> only is the phonology peculiar to that area but that the person is also
>> using grammar (both syntax and morphology) which differs from standard
>> English and that there will be differences in vocabulary also e.g.
>> 'bairn' instead of 'child').
>>
>> It may be a peculiar use of the word 'accent', but it ain't synonymous
>> with 'dialect'.  The latter involves much more than a difference of accent.
>> [snip]
>
> Differences in dialect are much more commonly reflected as differences in
> vocabulary than as differences in grammar.
> Most dialects' grammar (especially syntax, but also morphology), are very
> close to standard;
Are you speaking from an American or British perspective? Traditional
British _dialects_ often differed quite markedly from standard English -
particularly in the use pronouns and in certain verb forms. Many of
these dialects disappeared during the 20th century, leaving only more or
less standard English spoken with a regional accent.

If someone speaks standard English with a Geordie accent, we southerners
can generally follow what's said. But if someone speaks in the Geordie
dialect, then we haven't a hope    ;)

--
Ray
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Frustra fit per plura quod potest
fieri per pauciora.
[William of Ockham]

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