What is a Geordie? Where does a Geordie live? And how does a Geordie speak and write? There have been countless debates about the definition of the term ‘Geordie’. Oftentimes it has been applied to people all across the Northeast of England. In contrast to this, recent studies consider the term rather inappropriate for people living elsewhere than in Newcastle and its direct surroundings, i.e. the so-called Tyneside. Wells claims the term is to be applied to “anyone who comes from Tyneside” (Wells 1982: p. 374). However, there is hardly any evidence for either theory. The name ‘Geordie’ is obviously derived from the early 18th century, when the inhabitants of Newcastle supported the English kings George I and George II. Thus they had formed an opposition to Northumberland, where it was obligatory to support the Scottish Jacobite rebellions (cf. Smith 2007).
What can be said without a doubt is that people living in Sunderland, not more than twenty miles south of Newcastle, would probably feel offended when being called a Geordie. They prefer the term ‘Mackem’ in spite of quite a number of similarities to the Geordies with regard to language. According to Andrea Simmelbauer, Tyneside English, spoken in and around Newcastle, is a dialect which is “restricted to an area which stretches some 10-12 kilometres to the north and to the south of the river Tyne”(Simmelbauer 2000: p. 27). Nonetheless, the task of a final definition of the term ‘Geordie’ remains and will probably remain unsolved. So what can this paper do?
At least it can give an overview of the linguistic features which characterize the accent that is commonly used in Newcastle and its surroundings. This topic has been covered by a wide range of linguists not only in academic papers, but also in popular, commercial literature: Scott Dobson humorously made the suggestion to “Larn Yersel’ Geordie” and Dick Irwin even published a book which contains “100 Geordie Jokes.”
If so, why not start off with such a joke right from the beginning. It goes as follows: A Geordie in a wheelchair visits a medical doctor. The doctor says: “You’ve made good progress and it’s time to try to walk again.” The Geordie replies: “Work? Why man, Aa cannet even waak!” The joke only works under a certain condition. The listener or reader needs to be aware of particular Geordie pronunciations which are rudimentarily reflected in the semi-phonetic spellings of the words ‘I’ as Aa, cannot as cannet and walk as waak...
Table of Contents
- I. Introduction
- II. Historical Aspects of Tyneside English
- III. Tyneside Grammar
- III.1 Introductory Comment
- III.2 Verb Phrases
- III.3 Interrogatives
- III.4 Noun Phrases
- III.5 Sentence-final Elements
- III.6 Prepositions
- IV. Tyneside Phonology
- IV.1 General Overview
- IV.2 Newcastle Vowels
- V. Geordie Lexis
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to provide an overview of the linguistic features characterizing the accent commonly used in Newcastle and its surroundings (Tyneside). It explores the unique aspects of Geordie, examining its grammatical structures, phonological characteristics, and lexicon, and comparing them to Standard English. The paper also touches upon the historical influences shaping the dialect and its social significance within the community.
- Historical Development of Tyneside English
- Grammatical Features of Tyneside English
- Phonological Characteristics of Tyneside English
- Lexical Items Unique to Tyneside English
- Social and Cultural Significance of Tyneside English
Chapter Summaries
I. Introduction: This introductory chapter defines the scope of the paper, addressing the ambiguity surrounding the term "Geordie" and its geographical application. It establishes the focus on the linguistic features of the Newcastle accent and its surrounding areas (Tyneside), acknowledging previous research and emphasizing the social and cultural significance of the dialect. The introduction also sets the stage by highlighting the contrast between Geordie and other regional dialects, particularly Standard English, and touches upon the stereotypes associated with the accent. A humorous anecdote illustrates the differences in pronunciation between Geordie and Standard English, showcasing the potential for misunderstanding based on dialectal variations. The chapter concludes by stating the paper's intention to explore the key linguistic features of the Newcastle accent.
II. Historical Aspects of Tyneside English: This chapter delves into the historical influences that have shaped Tyneside English, highlighting the geographical proximity to Scotland and its impact on the dialect. It traces the historical evolution from the Old English period, discussing the influence of the early kingdom of Northumbria, the impact of the Danish invasions, and the subsequent separation of Lothian from Northumbria. The chapter analyzes the role of the River Tees as a significant geographical marker, pointing to linguistic differences north and south of the river. The chapter also discusses the influence of immigration, particularly from Ireland and Scotland, and its effect on the development of the Tyneside dialect. The chapter ends by examining the decline of traditional industries in the region and its effect on the assimilation of Tyneside English with Standard English.
III. Tyneside Grammar: This chapter, beginning with an introductory comment, summarizes the key grammatical differences between Standard English and Tyneside English. Although the provided text only offers an introductory comment, a full chapter would delve into specific grammatical constructions, such as verb phrases, interrogatives, noun phrases, sentence-final elements, and prepositions, comparing their usage in Tyneside English to that of Standard English. It would analyze the syntactic structures unique to Tyneside English, exploring variations in word order, tense usage, and other significant grammatical features.
Keywords
Tyneside English, Geordie, dialect, grammar, phonology, lexis, sociolinguistics, historical linguistics, regional variation, Standard English, Newcastle, Northumberland, Scotland, Ireland.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview of Tyneside English
What is the overall focus of this paper?
This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the linguistic features of Tyneside English, commonly known as Geordie. It examines the dialect's grammar, phonology, and lexicon, comparing it to Standard English and exploring its historical development and social significance.
What topics are covered in the Table of Contents?
The paper includes sections on the Introduction, Historical Aspects of Tyneside English, Tyneside Grammar (covering verb phrases, interrogatives, noun phrases, sentence-final elements, and prepositions), Tyneside Phonology (with sections on a general overview and Newcastle vowels), and Geordie Lexis.
What are the key objectives and themes explored?
The paper aims to explore the unique grammatical structures, phonological characteristics, and vocabulary of Geordie. It investigates the historical influences shaping the dialect and its social relevance within the Tyneside community, contrasting it with Standard English.
What are the key themes addressed in each chapter?
Chapter I (Introduction): Defines the scope of the study, addresses the ambiguity of "Geordie," and establishes the focus on the linguistic features of the Newcastle accent. It highlights the contrast between Geordie and Standard English and touches upon associated stereotypes. Chapter II (Historical Aspects): Explores the historical influences shaping Tyneside English, including geographical proximity to Scotland, the impact of early kingdoms, invasions, and immigration. It discusses the role of the River Tees and the decline of traditional industries. Chapter III (Tyneside Grammar): This chapter summarizes key grammatical differences between Standard English and Tyneside English, focusing on verb phrases, interrogatives, noun phrases, sentence-final elements, and prepositions.
What are the key grammatical features of Tyneside English discussed?
While a full description is not provided in the preview, the paper indicates that it would cover specific grammatical constructions such as verb phrases, interrogatives, noun phrases, sentence-final elements, and prepositions, comparing their usage in Tyneside English to Standard English.
What is the geographical scope of the study?
The study focuses on the linguistic features of the accent commonly used in Newcastle and its surrounding areas (Tyneside), acknowledging the ambiguity surrounding the term "Geordie" and its geographical application.
What is the relationship between Geordie and Standard English?
The paper contrasts Geordie with Standard English, highlighting the differences in grammar, phonology, and lexicon. It also touches upon the social implications of using Geordie versus Standard English.
What historical factors influenced the development of Tyneside English?
The historical influences discussed include geographical proximity to Scotland, the impact of early kingdoms (Northumbria), Danish invasions, the separation of Lothian from Northumbria, the role of the River Tees, and immigration from Ireland and Scotland. The decline of traditional industries and its effect on language assimilation is also mentioned.
What are the keywords associated with this research?
Keywords include Tyneside English, Geordie, dialect, grammar, phonology, lexis, sociolinguistics, historical linguistics, regional variation, Standard English, Newcastle, Northumberland, Scotland, and Ireland.
- Quote paper
- Karsten Keuchler (Author), 2007, Geordie Accent and Tyneside English, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/161008
