Writing dialect poetry of any local region can be difficult. Words and phrases can vary within a few miles of where you live, and there will always be discussion as to just what any specific word can mean.
I have read, and still do read, a number of 19th century Lancashire and Yorkshire dialect poets, and find that their words are not just rhyme, but tell stories of life as they encountered it – life, death, poverty, good times and bad times. no embellishments, just honest observations, unless it was intended, as in the poem/song “Eawr Market Meet” by Sam Fitton (as sung by The Oldham Tinkers) or “Bowton’s Yard” by Sam Laycock (as sung by Harry Boardman)
A recent listen to a piece called “T’Coaler” read by Jenn Reid, a balladeer and collector of dialect writings (including a few of mine – thanks Jenn) has nudged me into digging some of my attempts at writing Lancashire dialect out of the archives (I suspect that, in reality, it is a hybrid of East Lancashire/West Yorkshire, because of where we live), so I will be posting a few of them over the next day or so. They will be on the “Lancashire” poetry page.
I hope you like and enjoy them
Alan
