11 Difficult English Accents You WON'T Understand
TLDRThis video script explores the rich tapestry of English dialects around the world, challenging viewers to identify various accents and their origins. From the Scandinavian-influenced Northumbrian English to the diverse Creole of Trinidad, the script delves into unique linguistic landscapes shaped by history and culture. It highlights the distinctiveness of each dialect, such as the sing-song rhythm of Trinidadian English and the 18th-century Irish influence in Newfoundland English. The script also touches on lesser-known dialects like the Glaswegian in Scotland and the Liberian settler English, showcasing the fascinating evolution of language in different regions.
Takeaways
- π¬π§ The script discusses various English dialects from around the world, challenging the idea that being a native English speaker means understanding all forms of English.
- π° The Northumbrian English dialect has roots in the same language as Scots, shaped by the Angles, and has some shared words with Scandinavian languages due to Viking invasions.
- π¦ The term 'butter Logie' refers to a butterfly in the Northumbrian dialect, showcasing unique local expressions.
- ποΈ Trinidadian English is influenced by its diverse history, including African slaves, French, German, Chinese, Portuguese, African-American, and Venezuelan immigrants, resulting in a Creole language.
- π΄σ §σ ’σ ³σ £σ ΄σ Ώ The Cape Flats English in South Africa is a divergent dialect influenced by Afrikaans, with unique grammatical structures and a double negative feature.
- ποΈ Appalachian English, spoken in the Smoky Mountains, retains old speech forms from Scots-Irish immigrants and has phrases that date back centuries.
- πΈπ¬ Singaporean English, or Singlish, is an efficient dialect with a unique grammatical structure that emerged from the need for communication among the diverse local population.
- π―π² Jamaican Patois is a pidgin language with many African loanwords, but Jamaicans also speak standard English, reflecting the island's complex history of colonization.
- π³π« Newfoundland English has an 18th-century Irish influence and traces of Gaelic, due to the isolated nature of the island's early settlers.
- π¬πΎ The official language of Guyana is English, but the local dialect, Creolese or Guyanese, is a mix of English and West African languages, with influences from Indian indentured workers.
- π΄σ §σ ’σ ³σ £σ ΄σ Ώ Glasgow's dialect is a blend of Irish, Eastern European, and Italian influences, shaped by the port city's history of immigration and work opportunities.
Q & A
What is a 'butter Logie' and which dialect is associated with it?
-A 'butter Logie' is a term that might be familiar to speakers of Northumbrian English, which has roots similar to Scots and was shaped by the Angles, a Germanic people who lived mostly in present-day Denmark.
Why is Northumbrian English considered to have Scandinavian influences?
-Northumbrian English has Scandinavian influences due to the historical presence of the Angles and the fact that the first Viking invasion of England occurred in this region, leading to a mix of Old Norse words.
What is the origin of the word 'batalogy'?
-The word 'batalogy' comes from a Viking word and means 'butterfly'. It is used in some dialects to call someone over.
What makes the English spoken in Trinidad unique?
-Trinidadian English is unique due to its sing-song sound and the influence of various cultures, including African, French, German, Chinese, Portuguese, African-American, and Venezuelan, which have all contributed to its diversity.
Why is the English spoken in South Africa's Cape Flat area difficult to understand for outsiders?
-Cape Flat English is difficult to understand due to its divergence from standard English, being heavily influenced by Afrikaans, and the use of a double negative, which is a feature inherited from Afrikaans.
What historical factors contributed to the development of Appalachian English?
-Appalachian English developed due to the isolation of Scots-Irish immigrants in the Smoky Mountains, who maintained old speech forms and blended them with Native American and African influences.
How did the English spoken in Singapore evolve?
-Singaporean English evolved with a unique grammatical structure known as Singlish, influenced by various local Chinese dialects and the need for efficient communication. It became more prevalent in the 1970s and is now seen as part of Singaporean identity.
What is the relationship between Jamaican Patois and standard English?
-Jamaican Patois is not considered a dialect of English due to its many loan words, mostly African, but Jamaicans also speak standard English, which has been influenced by the Patois over time.
How did the Newfoundland English dialect develop?
-Newfoundland English developed from early immigrants mainly from Southwest England and Southeast Ireland, who lived in isolation for a long time, resulting in a dialect that sounds 18th-century Irish with traces of Irish Gaelic.
What are some characteristics of Guyanese Creole?
-Guyanese Creole is characterized by a mix of English words with sounds and features of African languages, influenced by the history of the region being exposed to various cultures and languages, including Dutch and West African.
How does the Glasgow dialect differ from other Scottish dialects?
-The Glasgow dialect is influenced strongly by Irish and Italian immigrants who arrived as desperate immigrants and workers, resulting in a unique combination of linguistic features and a tendency to speak very fast.
What historical factors have influenced the Tangier Island dialect?
-The Tangier Island dialect has been influenced by its isolation and the early English settlers from Cornwall, leading to a unique way of speaking that has been passed down through generations without outside influence.
What is the status of English in Liberia and how has it evolved?
-English has been the official language of Liberia since 1824, spoken by about three million people. It has evolved into different varieties, including Liberian Settler English with archaic American expressions and a Creole known as Liberian Pidgin English.
Outlines
π² The Diversity of English Dialects
This paragraph introduces the listener to the complexity and diversity of English dialects around the world. It challenges the notion that being a native English speaker equates to understanding all forms of English. The speaker mentions 11 dialects that are particularly confusing and invites the audience to guess the country of origin and the specific dialect. The paragraph highlights Northumbrian English, its historical roots, and its unique vocabulary influenced by Old Norse due to Viking invasions. It also touches on famous figures associated with certain dialects and the social perceptions of these dialects throughout history.
ποΈ The Melting Pot of English Dialects
The second paragraph delves into various English dialects influenced by different cultural and historical contexts. It starts with the sing-song sound of Trinidadian English, shaped by its diverse population including African slaves, French, German, Chinese, Portuguese, African-American, and Venezuelan immigrants. The paragraph then moves to the unique dialect of the Cape Colored community in South Africa, influenced by Afrikaans, and the Appalachian English with its Scottish Irish flavor and old sayings. The influence of indigenous peoples and colonial history on these dialects is emphasized, showcasing the rich tapestry of English dialects worldwide.
πΊοΈ Exploring the Uniqueness of English Dialects Across Continents
This paragraph continues the exploration of English dialects, starting with Newfoundland English, which has a distinct sound due to the isolation of its early settlers from Southwest England and Southeast Ireland. The speaker then discusses the formation of Jamaican Patois from the blending of English and African languages, and its status as a separate language from English. The paragraph also covers Singaporean English, or Singlish, which has a unique grammatical structure and is seen as an integral part of Singaporean identity. The diversity and evolution of these dialects are highlighted, reflecting the linguistic history and cultural influences of their regions.
π° The Historical Tapestry of English Dialects
The final paragraph examines the historical development of English dialects in various regions, such as Glasgow, where the dialect has been influenced by immigrants from Ireland, Eastern Europe, and Italy, and Tangier Island, where the dialect has remained relatively unchanged due to isolation. It also touches on Liberian English, which includes settler English with archaic American expressions and a creole influenced by the country's history as a destination for African American immigrants. The paragraph emphasizes the historical and cultural factors that have contributed to the distinctiveness of these dialects.
Mindmap
Keywords
π‘Dialects
π‘Angles
π‘Vikings
π‘Creole
π‘Piracy
π‘Cape Flat English
π‘Appalachian English
π‘Singlish
π‘Jamaican Patois
π‘Newfoundland English
π‘Guyanese Creole
Highlights
The challenge of identifying English dialects from various countries and guessing their origins.
Northumbrian English, influenced by the Angles and Scandinavian words due to Viking invasions.
The unique character of Geordie dialect from Northumberland, once considered strange even by the London Elite.
Trinidadian English and its Creole, shaped by a diverse history of colonization and immigration.
Cape Flat English in South Africa, a divergent dialect influenced by Afrikaans and difficult even for other South Africans to understand.
Appalachian English, preserving old speech forms from Scots-Irish immigrants.
Singaporean English, or Singlish, known for its efficiency and unique grammatical structure.
Jamaican Patois, a language born from a mix of English, Irish, and African influences.
Newfoundland English, reflecting the isolation and unique blend of early settlers' languages.
Guyanese Creole English, a result of the country's multicultural history and colonial influences.
Glaswegian English, a dialect influenced by Irish and Italian immigrants in Scotland.
Tangier Island dialect, an isolated American English variant from the earliest settlers of Cornwall.
Liberia's English, influenced by American settlers and its unique colloquial forms.
The use of suffixes in Liberian English to convey emotions in speech.
The Story Learning method for language acquisition, using narratives to teach languages effectively.
Transcripts
Browse More Related Video
Evolution of the Indo-European Languages - Ancient Civilizations DOCUMENTARY
British Accents Ranked from Easiest to Hardest (+ Free PDF & Quiz)
Sanskrit connections to English | World History | Khan Academy
How the CELTS Changed The ENGLISH LANGUAGE
Why are there so many accents in the UK? LEP Video Podcast - Learn English with Luke Thompson
How the Normans changed the history of Europe - Mark Robinson
5.0 / 5 (0 votes)
Thanks for rating: