Being located at the fringes of England, at the course of the Scottish border, the North-East is often perceived as distinct from other English regions. Thus, this region has developed its unique local identity which is essentially borne by the distinctiveness of the spoken traditional dialect - Geordie. Despite its wide regional prevalence, the dialect’s identifiability aspects are especially rooted in the urban area of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Here, influencing factors such as football, a strong communal spirit, and recent media presentations have shaped the local patriotism as well as the identification with the spoken Tyneside English. However, the intense local language identification as an authentic “Geordie from the toon” has also been accompanied by a proceeding dialect levelling in the same area. These ambiguous circumstances arouse a sociolinguistic interest in a closer examination of the development, identification and perception of the Geordie dialect. How does the dialect contribute to the local identity? And does the local dialect levelling correlate with a changed attitude towards Geordie?
In order to provide a suitable approach to the raised issue, the outline of this work is structured as follows: The theoretical part will discuss i.a. a brief classification of the terminology “Geordie” (2.1), its historical background (2.2) as well as the phonological features of Tyneside English (3.1). Subsequently, the third chapter will focus on dialect levelling and diffusion in the area of Newcastle. Dominic Watt’s empirical study on FACE and GOAT vowels serves as an illustration for contact-induced levelling in the Tyneside vowel system (3.2). Hereby, further aspects such as gender and social class will extend the reflection of a “Geordie identity”. Taking these points into account, the current status of Geordie, its reputation in the United Kingdom (4.) as well as an outlook on the future of the dialect are presented towards a final conclusion (5.).
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Theoretical Part
- 2.1 Terminology - Speaking Geordie vs. Being a Geordie
- 2.2 Historical background
- 2.3 Dialect contact on Tyneside
- 2.4 Dialect levelling and diffusion
- 3. Linguistic Main Part
- 3.1 Phonetic features of Tyneside English
- 3.2 Case study by Watt: "levelling in the Tyneside vowel system"
- 3.2.1 Results of the study
- 4. Geordie nowadays - a beloved underdog among British accents?
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to explore the relationship between the Geordie dialect, local identity, and dialect leveling in the Tyneside region of England. It investigates how the dialect contributes to the sense of local identity among its speakers and examines the correlation between dialect leveling and changes in attitudes towards Geordie.
- The definition and multifaceted nature of "Geordie," encompassing both linguistic and socio-cultural aspects.
- The historical development of the Geordie dialect and its connection to the broader history of Northern England.
- The impact of dialect contact and leveling on the Tyneside vowel system.
- The current status and perception of the Geordie dialect within the United Kingdom.
- The interplay between language, identity, and social change in the Tyneside region.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage by highlighting the unique identity of the North-East of England, particularly its relationship with the rest of England and its strong local identity embodied in the Geordie dialect. It poses the central question of the dialect's contribution to local identity and the correlation between dialect leveling and changing attitudes towards Geordie. The chapter outlines the structure of the paper, foreshadowing the exploration of terminology, historical background, linguistic features, dialect leveling, and the current status of Geordie.
2. Theoretical Part: This section lays the groundwork for the subsequent linguistic analysis. It begins by clarifying the terminology, differentiating between "speaking Geordie" (the linguistic aspect) and "being a Geordie" (the socio-cultural aspect). The chapter delves into the historical background of the dialect, tracing its roots to the early history of Northern England and the impact of industrialization on the region’s linguistic landscape. The historical context illuminates the unique position of Newcastle and the origins of the term "Geordie." This chapter also foreshadows the study of dialect contact and levelling that will be covered in later sections.
3. Linguistic Main Part: This chapter shifts to a more in-depth linguistic analysis of Tyneside English. It examines the phonetic features that distinguish it from other English dialects. A significant portion focuses on Dominic Watt's empirical study on the FACE and GOAT vowels, providing a detailed example of contact-induced leveling within the Tyneside vowel system. This analysis considers additional sociolinguistic factors such as gender and social class, further enriching the understanding of "Geordie identity."
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview of Geordie
What is the overall focus of this paper?
This paper explores the complex relationship between the Geordie dialect, local identity, and dialect leveling in the Tyneside region of England. It investigates how the dialect contributes to local identity and examines the correlation between dialect leveling and changes in attitudes towards Geordie.
What are the key themes explored in this paper?
Key themes include: the definition and multifaceted nature of "Geordie" (linguistic and socio-cultural aspects); the historical development of the Geordie dialect and its connection to Northern England's history; the impact of dialect contact and leveling on the Tyneside vowel system; the current status and perception of the Geordie dialect; and the interplay between language, identity, and social change in the Tyneside region.
What is the structure of the paper?
The paper is structured into four main chapters: An introduction setting the scene and outlining the central research question; a theoretical part establishing the terminology, historical background, and relevant linguistic concepts; a linguistic main part focusing on the phonetic features of Tyneside English and a case study on dialect leveling; and a concluding chapter exploring the contemporary status and perception of Geordie.
How does the paper define "Geordie"?
The paper carefully distinguishes between "speaking Geordie" (the linguistic aspect) and "being a Geordie" (the socio-cultural aspect), acknowledging the multifaceted nature of Geordie identity that encompasses both linguistic and social elements.
What is the historical context of the Geordie dialect?
The paper delves into the historical background of the Geordie dialect, tracing its roots to the early history of Northern England and exploring the impact of industrialization on the region’s linguistic landscape. The historical context illuminates the unique position of Newcastle and the origins of the term "Geordie."
What linguistic features of Tyneside English are examined?
The paper examines the phonetic features that distinguish Tyneside English from other English dialects, focusing particularly on vowel sounds. A case study by Watt on the FACE and GOAT vowels provides a detailed analysis of contact-induced leveling within the Tyneside vowel system.
What is the significance of Dominic Watt's study?
Dominic Watt's study on the Tyneside vowel system serves as a key example of dialect leveling. The paper examines Watt's results in detail, considering additional sociolinguistic factors like gender and social class to enhance understanding of "Geordie identity."
What is the current status and perception of the Geordie dialect?
The final chapter addresses the contemporary status and perception of the Geordie dialect within the United Kingdom, examining its role in local identity and the ongoing processes of language change.
What is the overall conclusion of the paper?
The paper aims to show how the Geordie dialect contributes to a strong local identity and how dialect leveling correlates with changing attitudes towards the dialect. It uses a multi-faceted approach combining historical linguistics, sociolinguistics, and empirical data analysis to reach its conclusions.
- Quote paper
- Sebastian Nickel (Author), 2017, The Geordie Dialect. On Language Identity and the Social Perception of Tyneside English, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/444885
