 |
|
Derry
mural
|
|
Derry / Londonderry: Stroke City
Its
very name speaks of deep-seated political, social, even linguistic
divisions. Known to one section of its inhabitants as Derry,
to another as Londonderry, Northern Ireland's second city
has a complex linguistic history shaped by waves of settlement
and political allegiance. Recently the city's inhabitants
have embraced the unofficial name Stroke City, circumventing
the linguistic minefield of Derry vs. Londonderry.
Melvyn Bragg travelled to the city with two communities, three
names and even more varieties of spoken English to investigate
how politics and prayer have influenced local speech.
You may need to download
the free to hear the clips.
Stroke
City
大象传媒 Radio
Foyle presenter Gerry Anderson on the origins of 'Stroke City'
All
in a name
Dr Loreto
Todd of Leeds University on the three main dialects of Northern
Irish English
Up
the Town on Me Own
13-year old
Cathy McDermott of Catholic Thornhill School reads her poem
'Up the Town on Me Own'
To
be or not to be
Dr Kevin McCafferty,
an expert on Derry English, on the distinctive use of 'be'
Broke
to the bone
Mary Murphy,
originally from Galway, describes the rich use of metaphor
in Derry English
Vowels
across the divide
Can political
and religious allegiances be heard in Derry English?
Deborah Steele and Alison Manning from Foyle & Londonderry
College think so
But Dr Loreta Todd
thinks not
And for Kevin McCafferty
it's more a matter of class
 |
|
Derry
on the River Foyle
|
|
