53: The Black Country

Individuals can share a common language, but it can sound different due to accents and regional dialects. In some cases, there are profound differences between areas that are in close proximity to one another. The Black Country, an area of the West Midlands in England, is known for a unique dialect that can be difficult for modern English speakers to clearly understand. In this episode, Alex Adey shares stories of the history and torchbearers of the Black Country dialect.

You can find more resources and educational material about the Black Country at the Black Country Museum.

For more on the history of Gullah, watch “The Adventure of English, part 5” on Youtube: