Some Studies in the Glasgow Vernacular

Abstract

Qualitative and quantitative methods were used to investigate dialect maintenance and change, and linguistic attitudes, in an inner city area of Glasgow. Glasgow dialect is an urban variety of Scots which existed as a distinctive variety by the beginning of this century. It was found to be losing traditional lexis, especially from active use. This is partly balanced by neologisms, including slang. Lexicographical details are given of neologisms, and the dictionary record refined with regard to those words investigated in detail by means of a questionnaire. Features of morphology and lexical incidence were found to be maintained more strongly, and broad speech was recorded from all ages and both sexes. Qualitative comments from the informants provide insight into the significance to speakers themselves of the continuing erosion of the traditional dialect, particularly in terms of the 'generation gap', which is also relevant to swearing and linguistic decorum. This is placed against the background of the modernisation of the working-class and the uniformation of societies in the post-war world.

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