Bermudian English

Gombeys
Bermudian English
Native toBermuda
Native speakers
63,917 (2016)[1]
Latin (English alphabet)
Official status
Regulated bynot regulated
Language codes
ISO 639-3
IETFen-KY

Bermudian English is a regional dialect of English found in Bermuda, a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic. Standard English is used in professional settings and in writing, while vernacular Bermudian English is spoken on more casual occasions.[2] The Bermudian dialect began to develop following settlement in the early 17th century and retains traits of Elizabethan English.[3][4][5] Bermudian Creole is also spoken in Bermuda, especially among younger Bermudians.[6][7]

Casual observers tend to have difficulty in placing the Bermudian dialect, as it differs from those that are clearly British, American, or Caribbean; they also note that the accent tends to vary between individuals.[8] It is often said to sound American or West Indian to a British ear, and quaintly British to American listeners.[9]

  1. ^ "2016 Census Report" (PDF). Government of Bermuda, Department of Statistics. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 July 2020. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  2. ^ Ruth Thomas, "Notes on Bermudian Language", in "Bermuda connections", Smithsonian Folklife Festival. 2001. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution, 2001.
  3. ^ "Culture: Talking The Bermudian Talk". Bernews. 22 November 2010. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  4. ^ Shorto, Lieutenant-Colonel A. Gavin (2011-02-04). "The roots of Creole charm". The Royal Gazette. City of Hamilton, Pembroke, Bermuda. Archived from the original on 2023-03-30. Retrieved 2023-03-30.
  5. ^ Petrone, Kelly. Welcome to the Bermuda Department of Tourism's Media Information Kit Archived December 22, 2010, at the Wayback Machine, Corbin & Associates, Ltd
  6. ^ Tom McArthur (ed.), Oxford Companion to the English Language. Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press, 1992. ISBN. pp. 116, 352.
  7. ^ Bourne, Stephen (2005). Black in British frame. Continuum International Publishing Group. p. 106. ISBN 978-0-8264-7898-6.
  8. ^ Weller, Anthony. Celebration Bermuda Archived 2017-07-26 at the Wayback Machine, The New York Times, June 15, 2003
  9. ^ "From chingas to chopsing: introducing Bermudian English". Oxford English Dictionary. 2021-03-15. Archived from the original on 2023-01-05. Retrieved 2023-01-05.