Professor Peter Trudgill's Column
Professor Peter Trudgill is one of the most outstanding sociolinguists, a well-known authority on dialects, an academic and author. He studied modern languages at King's College, Cambridge and obtained a PhD from the University of Edinburgh in 1971. Before becoming professor of sociolinguistics at the University of Essex, he taught in the Department of Linguistic Science at the University of Reading. He was professor of English language and linguistics at the University of Lausanne, Switzerland, the University of Fribourg, Switzerland, where he is now Professor Emeritus of English Linguistics. He is Honorary Professor of Sociolinguistics at the University of East Anglia, in Norwich, England. On June 2, 1995 he received an honorary doctorate from the Faculty of Humanities at Uppsala University, Sweden. He also has honorary doctorates from UEA, and La Trobe University, Melbourne.
Peter Trudgill's weekly columns on language and languages in Europe are published in The New European http://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/home
You will also find a new article by Professor Peter Trudgill, by his courtesy, each week on our website.
This week's text: 14.06.2018 Solving the Bergamot puzzle
Some of the previous texts, also those published in Eastern Daily Press (till 23rd January 2017), to be found below.
2018.05.24: Why it's Istanbul not Constantinople
2018.04.26: The tangled word web spanning from stews to brothels
2018.04.12: Rambling Moors who added spice to our language
2018.03.28: Hipsters and their feminine roots
2018.03.22: What's in a name for Europe's football clubs?
2018.03.15: Steppes forward.. How language moved on from its roots
2018.03.01: How nothing came out of something
2018.02.22: The whey of the world
2018.02.15: Europe's ongoing shame over the silencing of languages
2018.02.08: Irish mysteries
2018.01.25: Lost causes: how our language is missing out
2018.01.18: Turkic delight
2018.01.11: The mysterious origins of girls and boys
2018.01.04: Imperial march of the spoken word
2017
2017.12.21: Tastes that travel: surprising origins of our food names
2017.12.14: Dual meaning: when two doesn't become one
2017.12.07: There's something in the water to find origins of language
2017.11.30: Time to make four into one
2017.11.23: Finding the roots of Fizz
2017.11.16: The places so good they names them twice
2017.11.09: In the name of the father - Europe's ancient ID code
2017.11.02: The sequence of stringing sentences
2017.10.26: Why a good burgundy comes from further north than you might think
2017.10.19: Being definite about the definite article
2017.10.12: The Minoan mystery
2017.10.05: The common language fallacy
2017.09.28: A pithy history of the word orange
2017.09.21: Eureka moment in study of language
2017.09.14: Language, lexicon and lollipops
2017.09.07: When it comes to greeting and eating, European do it better
2017.01.23: Lennon's wordplay reveals different meanings of have
2017.01.16: Yorite? Here's a short history of popular greetings
2017.01.09: You may not have known origin of the word till until now
2017.01.02: Unique way of looking at how illogical language can be
2016
2016.12.26: Human languages are as varied as our societies
2016.12.19: Origins of some place names are not what they seem
2016.12.12: Smart-alecs scornful of Paxman show total ignorance
2016.12.05: On the trail of how Snailgate became Calvert Street
2016.11.28: Christmas advert finally treats Norfolk accent with respect
2016.11.21: Intelligence shows in what you say, not your accent
2016.11.14: Confused by American pronunciation? I’ll explain why
2016.11.07: The Maori language may be alive – but it is not well
2016.10.31: It's quite understandable why some Americans might find the use of this word rather confusing
2016.10.24: A hamlet in north Norfolk with a very interesting name
2016.10.17: Where English is being replaced by a native language
2016.10.10: English has hunted other languages to point of extinction
2016.10.03: Believe it or not, English was once a minor language
2016.09.26: Different spellings and questions of house style
2016.09.19: Beware our 'faux friends' in the world of language
2016.09.12: Why do we pronounce these place names differently?
2016.09.05: Be careful which experts you believe to tell the facts
2016.08.29: Banter - or just plain rude. It depends on the situation
2016.08.22: Why Norfolk folk can be confused with Australians
2016.08.16: If it's alright with you, it's alright with me... if that's alright?
2016.08.08: You can speak the language – but can you speak headline?
2016.08.01: The ins and outs of using ‘then’ and ‘than’ in our language
2016.07.25: He right – he knows just what he talking about
2016.07.18: Discriminating by accent is a prehistoric way to do business
2016.07.11: How the meaning of words has changed over time
2016.07.04: Julian's message shows just how English has changed
2016.06.27: Saying it with words - and they were often confusing
2016.06.20: OK... so just what are the origins of this quirky word?
2016.06.13: Does being nice aggravate you? Well it upsets some
2016.06.06: Speaking freely in your native language is a basic right
2016.05.30: How the early railways helped bring Cly to Clay
2016.05.23: The meaning of duzzy is still intact after 1,200 years
2016.05.16: What's in a name? A lot more than you might think
2016.05.09: Ditching a vowel - and its effect on the Norfolk dialect
2016.05.02: Look at Bunyan, Defoe and Coleridge– that’ll learn you
2016.04.25: Wesker knew you can speak Norfolk and be eloquent
2016.04.18: There’s no need to apologise – what you say is quite OK
2016.04.11: Here’s the reason why it’s better to say best
2016.04.04: There is no reason why infinitives cannot be split
2016.03.28: It takes two to make a word – but that W still remains
2016.03.21: Have you noticed the name’s the same in several places?
2016.03.14: Sure thing, Shirley and surely are pronounced the same
2016.03.07: Is that a weak cup of tea? You can take it as red
2016.02.29: If you prefer to say Peking rather than Beijing – that’s fine
2016.02.22: Sometimes clues to the past are all in a name
2016.02.15: In the ever changing world of words there’s a lot to take in
2016.02.08: We’re moving away from synthetic to analytical speech
2016.02.01: Mawther – a word associated with region for centuries
2016.01.25: So, are you a Scot called Inglis or a Britain from France?
2016.01.18: A name that defies all attempts to find common ground
2016.01.11: Author enjoyed Norfolk but that doesn’t make him an expert on the dialect
2016.01.04: It’s more than just bridges that link Scandinavia
2015
2015.12.28: It’s a long way from warehouses to chic bedrooms
2015.12.21: Hey guys! Are you aware of the adopted American words?
2015.12.14: Our schools should reflect our local historical legacies
2015.12.07: When using the wrong word is just not quite right
2015.11.30: Those who think wong isn’t an English word are wrong
2015.11.23: Language and national borders do not always coincide
2015.11.16: Ridiculous theory on Aussie accents should be forgotten
2015.11.09: It’s what you say, not how you say it, that matters
2015.11.02: When City and Town fans shared a sense of solidarity
2015.10.26: ‘They’ are plural – but ‘they’ are also singular read on
2015.10.19: Anti-semitic? You had better mind your language
2015.10.12: Wee dram of whisky flows through one of our rivers
2015.09.28: I’m sorry readers but I am right about the word ‘none’
2015.09.21: Languages can be an opportunity – not a barrier
2015.09.14: You may be singularly confused by this explanation...
2015.09.07: Yes or no... help us shed light on two little words
2015.08.31: A flock of seagulls, or should that be gulls? Discuss...
2015.08.24: The past is another language when we think about it
2015.08.17: I’m taking a punt on the origins of the word ‘quant’
2015.08.10: How did our fine city get its name? It’s all about directions
2015.08.03: What’s in a Christian name that can be used for either sex?
2015.07.27: Dialect would be welcome if I was minister for education
2015.07.21: I’m laying it on the line – how our language is changing
2015.07.13: The letter that has seen a change in pronunciation
2015.07.06: Keeping us on our mettle over the spelling of words
2015.06.29: Have you fathomed the roots of our measurements?
2015.06.22: What’s in a word? Well, it all depends on the sentiment
2015.06.15: To stress or not to stress? It used to be so easy in the past
2015.06.08: Logic can put eager learners on the wrong track
2015.06.01: Different words might mean a different outcome for us
2015.05.25: With dialect it’s not what you say – it’s how you say it
2015.05.18: There’s nothing wrong with writing like what we talk
2015.05.11: Can’t see the wood for the baum, boom and tre
2015.05.04: How familiar place names have evolved over centuries
2015.04.27: The ‘unseethroughableness’ of our English language
2015.04.20: You don’t have no need to worry about double negatives
2015.04.13: Traumatic means by which Norfolk village was named
2015.04.06: The long journey of a surname to his part of the world
2015.03.30: O my.... those Normans do have a lot to answer for
2015.03.23: Familial words suggest there was parent language
2015.03.16: Ignoring foibles of speech would make us happier
2015.03.09: The times they aren’t a-changin’ for Norfolk dialogue
2015.03.02: Remarkable scientific discovery leads to toilet closures
2015.02.23: Just speaking English is not enough in the world we live in
2015.02.16: Maps show changing importance of towns and villages
2015.02.09: It’s what you know and what you say, not how you say it
2015.02.02: Such a small word with such a big story behind it
2015.01.26: The demonic dog with a name that is all East Anglian
2015.01.19: We’ve all got an accent, however much we say we haven’t...
2015.01.12: Some so-called ‘rules’ are just made to be broken
2015.01.05: There’s ple’y to like about the way we pronounce words
2014
2014.12.29: The story of how this word washed up in our region
2014.12.22: Blame the prejudice – not the words that are used
2014.12.15: Speak out loud and proud if you have a Norfolk accent
2014.12.08: Borrowing words offers plenty of food for thought
2014.12.01: We may speak with a Norfolk accent but we aren’t stupid
2014.11.24: Like a circle in a spiral like a wheel within a wheel
2014.11.17: As the ancient Romans said It’s all Greek to us
2014.11.10: I stand by my views on local place name pronunciations
2014.11.03: Speaking ‘properly’ isn’t necessarily speaking correctly
2014.10.27: Language changes around us - there is no right or wrong
2014.10.20: Smelly city drains made unpleasant news 120 years ago
2014.10.13: Let me tell you the mysterious tale of Wiveton bridge
2014.10.06: Learn another language... but maybe not Mandarin Chinese
2014.09.29: Local dialect can overcome communication problems
2014.09.22: Why we put the ‘great’ in so many of our place names
2014.09.15: What’s in a name? A whole world of difference
2014.09.01: Our dialect is just as moving and lyrical as any other
2014.08.25: Don’t blame the Americans, this is all our own fault
2014.08.18: Set apart by their language as well as their religion
2014.08.11: Children should not feel insecure about natural speech
2014.08.04: Strictly speakin there is no G to drop when you’re talkin
2014.07.28: Nil desperandum – Americans are adopting Briticisms!
2014.07.21: Speak out loud and be proud of your Norfolk accent
2014.07.14: How do you tell the difference between men and women?
2014.07.12: Putting the accent on the way we speak can be a stressful matter
2014.07.06: Being able to enjoy a mardle is quite a new concept
2014.06.30: Why is ‘on’ used for ‘of’ in Norfolk and Suffolk dialect?
2014.06.23: Marvellous memories of a special day in Swardeston
2014.06.16: So, Mr Gove, do you really know what an adverb is?
2014.06.09: Countries at odds with one another have similar languages
2014.06.02: We’re not lazy... dropping syllables in pronunciation is correct
2014.05.26: Our place names should be given the respect they deserve
2014.05.19: Pronunciation problems are now a part of Norfolk life
2014.05.12: The history of this ancient street is a piece of cake
2014.05.05: So, just what does it mean to eat fruit in the afternoon?
2014.04.28: It may be in the past but it still matters how you say it
2014.04.21: Thetford shares a lot in common with the Germans
2014.04.14: The only crime here is the attack on native dialects
2014.04.07: Remember your vowels... that’s a, e, i, o, u and schwa
2014.03.31: The day I thought mum was talking a load of ‘tosh’
2014.03.24: How our Norfolk dialect makes grammar clearer
2014.03.17: Father’s art reminds me of prejudice he faced
2014.03.10: Dialect names for a donkey avoid the rather ruder word
2014.03.03: We East Anglians really are a diverse bunch of folk
2014.02.24: Time for radio presenters to get their pronunciation right
2014.02.17: Tracing our county’s past links with the Roman Empire
2014.02.10: Olympic venue has a link to a language of the past
2014.02.03: I’m sorta kinda like explaining the use of these words
2014.01.27: A shame to see dialect words suffer from ‘lexical attrition’
2014.01.20: Fings ain’t wot they used to be with the use of English
2014.01.13: River names show difference in Anglo-Saxon dialects
2014.01.06: Five reasons to make you more cheerful about change
2013
2013.12.30: Iwan has a way with words as well as with a football
2013.12.23: Wonderful grammar is something to be celebrated
2013.12.16: It’s all in a name – and there are so many variations
2013.12.09: Language death is biggest cultural tragedy of modern age
2013.12.02: And there are rules. But I don’t know what they’re for
2013.11.25: Continuing lessons in the art of talking Correct Norwich
2013.11.18: Well, these discourse markers can mean a lot of things
2013.11.11: Strictly speaking, Tess, it takes two to tango
2013.11.04: Come on, use your loaf and take a butcher’s at this
2013.10.21: A world of many flags but English is the world language
2013.10.14: Punctuation is more important than spelling or grammar
2013.10.07: Can words ending in ‘man’ apply equally to women
2013.09.30: Norfolk dialect could make English grammar clearer
2013.09.23: Clue to impressive performance lies in the upbringing
2013.09.16: Most of us go with the flow when it comes to pronunciation
2013.09.13: Ve fing is... vis language has gone frough some changes
2013.09.02: What you say and what we hear makes a big difference
2013.08.05: From squatters to landowners... this name has a story
2013.07.22: Why there should be more chances to use the word 'less'
2013.07.01: Dewin’ diff’rent about swingletrees and eddish
2013.06.24: Having a nose for what a word means from its sound
2013.06.17: 'Hair it is' – all you need to know about word merging
2013.06.10: Mate can be the most appropriate way to address a man
2013.06.03: If in doubt, leave out the problematic apostrophe
2013.05.20: Togetherness is different here – youse can believe it
2013.05.13: We’ve all forgotten our weskets from our waistcoats
2013.05.06: Rules of pronunciation taught at Urt School
2013.04.19: Historical boundaries of place... and speech
2013.04.08: I k-now they’re doing what comes g-naturally
2013.04.01: So... what exactly are the rules of English
2013.03.26: Our vowel habits set us apart from the rest
2013.03.20: Decline in local accent is a sign of the times
2013.03.11: Norfolk and Romany? Now that IS a rumm’n
2013.03.04: To ‘t’ or not to ‘t’? Tha’s a Norfolk question
2013.02.20: What’s in a name? Well, quite a lot, actually
2013.02.13: Why we still ‘dew different’ after all these years
2013.01.30: Confusion created over ‘me’ and ‘myself’
2013.01.14: A sense of humour that’s not for outsiders
2013.01.04: Strangers who made our great city what it is
2012
2012.12.26: How’s this for a Norfolk quadruple negative?
2012.12.17: Some names are just not meant to change
2012.12.05: The real meaning of words – ass a rumm’un
2012.11.27: Those coastal folk really knew their sanfer
2012.11.21: It’s right up our street to talk like this
2012.10.24: 'Our' words crop up all over the country
2012.10.17: Stay alert or we'll go the way of Ipsidge
2012.10.10: Pronunciation problems keep getting worse
2012.09.18: memories
2012.09.12: Norwich and Norfolk accents are quite different
2012.08.29: Norfolk has its own grammar – yes it do...
2012.08.21: They don’t know their Rs from their elbows
2012.08.13: Championing the use of our local dialect
2012.06.23: Perhaps what we need is more local dialect, not less!
