Lexical Variation of an East Midlands Mining Community

This book is the first to examine the language of coal miners in the East Midlands of England. It explores the relationship of language and identity, and investigates an important aspect of intangible cultural heritage. The language used by miners is distinctive to the East Midlands and this book provides insight into their everyday work and lives.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 15 November 2023
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

The East Midlands of England has long been a hub for coal mining, a crucial industry that has shaped the region's economy and culture. However, with the decline of coal mining in the UK, the language of coal miners in the East Midlands has been largely neglected. This book aims to fill this gap by examining the language of coal miners in the East Midlands and exploring its significance as an important aspect of intangible cultural heritage.

Coal mining has a rich history in the East Midlands, dating back to the 18th century. It was a hard and dangerous job that required a strong sense of community and camaraderie among the miners. The language used by coal miners was a reflection of their working conditions and their way of life.

Pit talk, a distinctive form of colloquial language, was developed by coal miners in the East Midlands. It was a mixture of slang, jargon, and regional accents that was used to communicate quickly and effectively in the noisy and dangerous environment of the mines. Pit talk was not just a way of talking; it was a way of identity, a symbol of the miners' pride in their work and their commitment to their community.

This book explores the language used by coal miners in their everyday work and lives. It examines the vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation of pit talk and its relationship to the miners' identity and sense of community. The book also explores the impact of the decline of coal mining on the language of coal miners and the efforts being made to preserve and promote it.

Coal mining has left a lasting legacy in the East Midlands, and the language of coal miners is a testament to the hard work and dedication of those who have worked in the industry. This book is a valuable contribution to the study of language variation and change, language and identity, community heritage, fragmented communities, and post-industrial societies. It will appeal to academics, researchers, and anyone interested in the history and culture of the East Midlands.

In conclusion, this book provides a unique insight into the language of coal miners in the East Midlands and its significance as an important aspect of intangible cultural heritage. It explores the relationship of language and identity, the impact of industrial decline on communities, and the efforts being made to preserve and promote cultural heritage. This book is a valuable resource for academics, researchers, and anyone interested in the history and culture of the East Midlands.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781474455558