Variety within languages

A. “Language” is, strictly speaking, an artificial, arbitrary concept. Not only has the first language developed into 6,000, but almost all of these languages are, viewed close up, bundles of variations on a theme. These are dialects of the languages.

B. Here are some British dialects of English. Note that many are different enough from Standard English that they require translation.

STANDARD                          The government has today decreed that all British beef is safe for consumption.

SCOTS                                  Efter he had gane throu the haill o it, a fell faimin brak out i yon laund.

                                            “After he had gone through all of it, a great famine broke out in the land.”

LANCASHIRE                      Ween meet neaw ta’en a hawse steyler at wur mayin’ off with’tit.

                                           “We have just now taken a horse stealer who was making off with it.”

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE        Tha mun come one naight ter th’ cottage, afore tha goos; sholl ter?

                                            “You must come one night to the cottage before you go, will you?”

CORNWALL                        Aw bain’t gwine for tell ee.

                                            “He isn’t going to tell you.”