Northern English: A Social and Cultural History

English as spoken in the North of England has a rich social and cultural history; however it has often been neglected by historical linguists, whose research has focused largely on the development of \'Standard English\'. In this groundbreaking, alternative account of the history of English, Northern English takes centre stage for the first time. Emphasizing its richness and variety, the book places Northern speech and culture in the context of identity, iconography, mental maps, boundaries and marginalization. It re-assesses the role of Northern English in the development of Modern Standard English, draws some pioneering conclusions about the future of Northern English, and considers the origins of the many images and stereotypes surrounding Northerners and their speech. Numerous maps, and a useful index of Northern English words and pronunciations, are included. Innovative and original, Northern English will be welcomed by all those interested in the history and regional diversity of English.

• Gives an alternative account of the history of English, with Northern Dialects, rather than Standard English, as the focus • Provides numerous maps, and a useful index of Northern English words and pronunciations, so that the reader can easily locate political, geographic and linguistic boundaries • Offers a brand new assessment of the history of Standard English, and makes some innovative new predictions about the future of Northern English

1. The north-south divide; 2. The origins of northern English; 3. Northern English and the rise of ‘standard’ English; 4. Northern English after the industrial revolution (1750–1950); 5. Northern English present and future.