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28 October 2014

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You are in: Devon > People > Dialect > Talking the local lingo

The cast of the 大象传媒 TV series 'Down to Earth'

The cast of the TV series Down to Earth

Talking the local lingo

You turn on the telly, a programme supposedly based in Devon comes on - and you cringe. We don't REALLY sound like that - do we? Here's an opportunity to listen to some true local Devonians from across the county so you can make up your own mind.

Is it in the ear of the beholder or do TV programmes always get the accent wrong when they're basing their storyline in Devon?

Do we all sound like we've straw coming out of our mouths and that our trousers are kept up with a piece of old twine?

True, we have our own special words that have been handed down through time but - just as accents change between Scotland and Ireland, England and Wales - there's also a big difference between someone who lives in North and South Devon, the middle of Dartmoor or the heart of Plymouth.

We've been chatting to groups of local residents. Take a listen to some clips from the discussions and compare what you hear:

Dartmoor Diehards

Ena Medland and Dave Perrymen still live on farms run by their children or grandchildren.

Derek Lavers still lives in the house he was born in a tiny moorland village, and Cyril Friend spent his whole life working for the Forestry Commission.

Their experiences of farming and village life have heavily influenced how they speak.

Ena Medland

Ena Medland

Ena and Dave discuss harvesting hay and shearing sheep as children. Ena Medland and the group reminisce about what fun these times of year were but that you have to be aware of the "catchy weather".

Derek Lavers

Derek Lavers

Derek discusses watching his uncle teach his daughters to ride on a Dartmoor pony - he describes how 'cream your knees' was the phrase shouted at the 'maid' so she would grip her knees tightly.

Plymouth Janners

All of the group describe themselves as working class Plymothians. All were born in the city, although a couple moved away for a time before returning home.

They were most excited when they realised they all shared and used the same slang terms like "innit". They all have strong local accents, which vary slightly within the group - mainly according to age.

Christine Horkins

Christine Horkins

Christine Horkins and the group discuss the slang words used in everyday life such as innit and bet'n'I. They are relieved they share the same language and laugh about how it sounds a bit 'common'

Lee Young

Lee Young

Lee Young and the group laugh about using the phrase "dont buck my hair". Lee says it's one of her favourite phrases.

last updated: 17/03/2008 at 14:45
created: 13/02/2008

You are in: Devon > People > Dialect > Talking the local lingo

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