December 2006    

Northern English: a Cultural and Social History Author: Katie Wales Publisher: Cambridge University Press $90.00 Cloth (257 p.) ISBN: 9780521861076 B&T         YBP Reviewed by Amy Coddington, Cataloging Where would Standard English be if there were no other varieties of English to rival it? Before there were World Englishes, there were Island Englishes, and Katie Wales has written a social and historical study of one of the most important of these. Texts written in the language of northern England survive from the Anglo-Saxon period, when the kingdom of Northumbria encompassed several notable centers of culture. Although the region gradually declined in political and religious importance, it became a center of industry starting in the 18th century and continuing until the decline of manufacture and mining in England in the last part of the 20th century. Ms. Wales argues that Northern English has long existed in opposition to Standard, or Southern, English and will continue to exist because of the cultural perception of a divide between north and south in England. The language of the north may be considered provincial or working-class by those living down south or by those who leave the north hoping to "improve themselves" with a different accent and a higher wage, but it also has connotations of honesty and plain-speaking in contrast to the sophistication or vanity of the south. Although Northern English is influenced strongly by Standard, especially today with the southern accent heard in schools, television shows, and other audible media, it would be wrong to suppose the influence only runs one way. Trading networks, migrating workers, and marriage partners have all spread elements of the lower-status dialect into the higher-status one in the past even as today elements of the northern accent become fashionable from popular music or youth culture. The author writes with great pride in the history and tradition of the northern tongue and backs up her points with many quotations and examples. I did find it confusing at times trying to determine whether her examples applied to both sides of the Pennines or only to the northeast or the northwest, but it did not detract from my enjoyment of the book. The book is well supplied with maps, but those who mix their Tees and Tyne may wish to have a map of England at hand to keep track of the rivers and towns mentioned in the text. Also, while the book reads more easily if one is conversant with the standard phonetic symbols, those who, like me, find their knowledge of linguistics rusty will be glad to find a comprehensive list of the symbols at the front of the book. Published by YBP Library Services 999 Maple St., Contoocook, NH 03229 USA v: 800.258.3774   f: 603.746.5628 w: www.ybp.com   e: academia@ybp.com All rights reserved.