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Features of the Geordie dialect:
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What is Geordie?
The word Geordie refers both to a native of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and to the speech of the inhabitants of that city.
Where did it come from?
There are several theories about the exact origins of the term Geordie, but all agree it derives from the local pet name for George. It is sometimes mistakenly used to refer to the speech of the whole of the North East of England. Strictly speaking, however, Geordie should only refer to the speech of the city of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and the surrounding urban area of Tyneside.
Perceptions of the dialect/accent
Varied opinions:
- cheap - Geordie Shore
- funny - Ant & Dec
- sexiest in Britain. Researchers believe celebrities from Newcastle such as Cheryl Cole have helped raised the profile of the accent, making it seem more friendly and attractive. - The Guardian
What's distinctive about it?
Most Geordie consonant sounds are similar to standard English except for the famous "r" sound which is similar to French pronunciation.
It can be heard in words like "plaster" pronounced "plarster" which goes back to the old French
But it is the vowel sounds that give Geordie its unique sound with words like "toon" (town), "broon" (brown) and "poond' (pound).
Geordie intonation patterns are also different with a rising expression at the end of many sentences.
The Geordie grammar also has a way of its own with pronouns like "our" pronounced "wor" and words like "yous" for "you".
But whatever the 'crack' (good conversation) 'wor Geordie' today is becoming 'reet sophisticated, like'.
Phonological features:
Geordie dialect
Grammatical features
It is extremely difficult to collect examples of dialect grammar, compared with pronunciation or even vocabulary. In an interview lasting an hour, for instance, you are likely to hear most of the vowels and probably all the consonants, but very few if any non-standard grammatical constructions.
Nee - no
Dee - do
Gan - go
Divvin' - don't
Doon - down
Toon - Newcastle city centre and Newcastle United FC
Propa - very, really or significantly
Owa - over
Neet - night
Us - me
Mortal - drunk
Howay - to express excitement
Wye aye! - yes
Hinny - wife
- The foot-strut merger, meaning that the syllable in foot and could is pronounced with the same syllable as strut and fudge
- Non-rhoticity (not pronouncing the written letter "r" unless it is followed by a vowel) e.g 'firm'
- The /ai/ dipthong in kite is raised to IPA (international phonetic alphabet), so it sounds a bit more like American or Standard British “kate.”
- The /au/ dipthong in “about” is pronounced IPA u: (that is, “oo”) in strong dialects. Hence bout can sound like “boot.”
- The English: i was playing with the kite
- The Geordie: ah wez playing wi the kate