Accent and dialect are flags and indicators to other members of our 'tribe' - letting them know we are like them. I am from Sussex originally, but have lived in the north east for the last twenty eight years. My accent is different to most people I meet, work alongside - and live with. Sometimes even the words we use are different, so I have had to learn new ones and there is some blending of worlds. I find myself using geordie words with a southern accent - jarring - and some of my 'southern' words have leaked out to be used by the people around me.
Then we get to the thorny issue of using dialect in writing. It can sound clunky and clumsy if the writer is not 'fluent,' and has to be approached with caution. Yet it can add flavour and authenticity when used well. In my work in progress I use both geordie dialect and Romany words, as the story is set within the gypsy community; my mum came from a Romany family. I hope I have used dialect well - but that remains to be seen. My work is now with beta readers, so I will know soon...watch this space!
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