Issue 17, dialects and slang

Language is where creativity meets culture. Dialects and slang show us how words can be colorful expressions of the places and people they come from. They break the rules and reshape language, making it more vibrant and alive. Today, we’re diving into how language, dialect, and slang are creative forces that add richness to our daily lives.

"Accent is the soul of language. It gives it both meaning and truth."

Jean Jacques Rousseau, philosopher and writer

Ever wonder how actors nail (or totally butcher) accents in movies? Usually, they'll have a dialect coach like Erik Singer to help them hit the mark. In this video he analyzes the accents of some of Hollywood's biggest names. How accurate were they really? Watch it to find out.

"My culture and my language have the right to exist, and no one has the authority to dismiss that right."

James Kelman, author

When James Kelman’s How Late It Was, How Late snagged the Booker Prize in ’94, it sparked a big debate: can a novel drenched in dialect really be considered 'literature'? Kelman writes as a stream of consciousness in thick Scots dialect. And let’s not forget his revolutionary use of the F word which shows up no less than 4000 times (about 10 times per page!). He took that one little word and made it do everything: noun, verb, punctuation mark, sentence-padder. If that’s not creative, we don’t know what is!

"All slang is metaphor, and all metaphor is poetry."

Gilbert K. Chesterton, author

Trying to keep up with the latest American slang? You’re not alone. This guide breaks down the trendiest words of 2024, from 'sus' to 'rizz', and helps you navigate the fast-evolving landscape of lingo. Perfect if you want to stay in the know or impress your friends with some new vocab.

Alter. Writing in dialect

Language isn’t just about talking — it’s a snapshot of who we are and where we come from. Irvine Welsh nails this in Trainspotting, using the Edinburgh dialect to give his characters depth. Today, you’ll get to play with your own dialect or one you know, pushing your creative brain into new territory!

practice

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