Accent and Dialect

Accent and Dialogue

 

Dialect: specific variety of English that differs from other varieties in three specific ways: lexis, grammar and phonology. English dialects might be different but all speakers within the English speaking world can still generally understand them.

 

Accent: refers only to the differences in the sound patterns of a specific dialect.

Scouse Terms:

• Abar - The correct way to pronounce the word "about"*
• Arlarse (often shortened to Aarlee,  Auld-arse, Owlarse or even Old Arse)
• Auld - "Old" (pronounced "Arld")
• Baltic - Extremely cold weather
• Belter - The Scouse word for "Fantastic!".
• Bevvy - Beverage, alcoholic drink
• Bifter - A cigarette. Also in the phrase "Giving it the bifters", meaning "To do something really well".
• Bills - Underpants
• Bird - A girl. "Me bird" means "my wife". Often pronounced as "beard"
• The Bizzies - The local constabulary. The 5-0.
• Boss! - "Very good stuff!"
  Geordie Terms:
  Ma: Mother.
  Mam: Mother. The preferred northern term for Mum (or for Americans Mom).
  Mac: Make, especially in the Sunderland area.
  Mac' N' Tac: Alternative term for a native of Sunderland. See Mackem.
  Mackem: A native of Sunderland Probably referring to shipbuilders - 'We mackem, ye tackem' For a full explanation view this page on Sunderland mackems.
  Mags: Magpies - a Sunderland football club supporters' term for a Newcastle United fan.
  Man: Frequently used as a form of address. Divvent dee that man, howay man - even when talking to a woman.
  Me: My.