Immerse yourself in the richly detailed world of Charles Dickens by reading one of his novels, and you’ll find yourself transported back to the bustling streets of nineteenth-century London. Dickens’ mastery of descriptive prose and dialogue brings the sights and sounds of the era vividly to life, capturing the unique accents and expressions of the time.
While we may never be able to hear the voices of Dickensian London, YouTuber Simon Roper offers us a rare glimpse into the past with his video showcasing the accent of a Londoner in 1826. With attention to detail, Roper highlights linguistic features from the era, such as glottal reinforcement and non-rhoticity, giving us a glimpse of how English was spoken centuries ago.
Roper’s video takes us on a tour of London accents spanning over 660 years, showcasing the evolution of speech patterns and dialects. From the medieval accent of 1346 to the transatlantic tones of 1766, each recording provides a glimpse into the changing linguistic landscape of London.
Whether you’re a language enthusiast or simply curious about historical accents, Roper’s video offers a fascinating insight into the rich tapestry of English dialects. Discover how language has evolved over the centuries and how accents have shaped our perceptions of history.
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– Peter Sellers Presents The Complete Guide To Accents of The British Isles
– A Tour of U.S. Accents: Bostonian, Philadelphese, Gullah Creole & Other Intriguing Dialects
– Meet the Americans Who Speak with Elizabethan English Accents: An Introduction to the “Hoi Toiders” from Ocracoke, North Carolina
Colin Marshall writes and broadcasts on cities, language, and culture. His projects include the Substack newsletter Books on Cities and the book The Stateless City: a Walk through 21st-Century Los Angeles. Follow him on Twitter at @colinmarshall or on Facebook.
