World | UK
Dialects 'on the brink of extinction'
Britons are struggling to get to grips with the country's rich vocabulary of regional dialects to such an extent that they are "teetering on the brink of extinction".
- Agencies
- Published: 23:50 October 14, 2008
London: Britons are struggling to get to grips with the country's rich vocabulary of regional dialects to such an extent that they are "teetering on the brink of extinction".
A survey of 3,000 people revealed 90 per cent of Britons could identify foreign words such as "hasta la vista" - the Spanish for "see you later" - but only 34 per cent knew "scran" was the Merseyside expression for food.
And while 85 per cent of Britons knew "weiner" was German for sausage, almost half did not know the Cornish word "oggy" was a pie.
"The diversity of regional dialects in the UK should be celebrated but this research shows that they're teetering on the brink of extinction," said professor Paul Kerswill of Lancaster University.
"Britons should be encouraged to experience the rich diversity of accents and language in their own country to help keep the idiosyncrasies of the English language alive."
Share this article
UK
UK paper asked to pay compensation to Iraqi PM
Brown consoles mother grieving over Afghan death
Legislation to access texts and e-mails on hold
80% of hospital infections going unreported
Britons more optimistic about the economy
Afghanistan commander calls for staying the course
Sexual assaults on children soars
Tough love moulds young minds best
More from World
News Editor's choice
-
King Tut's tomb set for project
Observers note strange brown spots marring lavish wall paintings
-
Thieves caught with Dh6m in gold
Twenty-five gold bars were stolen from the luggage of a Malaysian tradesman
-
What to expect at the Dubai Airshow
We preview what types of aircraft to expect at the Dubai Airshow
