Lexical Variations in Northern and Southern British English

Authors

  • Adnan Mohaisen Alzuabidi

    Department of English, University of Misan, Amarah 62001, Iraq
  • Shaymaa Fouad Aliakbar

    Department of English Language, College of Education, Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad 10052, Iraq
  • Samah Ahmad Jamil

    College of Business Informatics, University of Information Technology and Communications, Baghdad 10011, Iraq
  • Estabraq Rasheed Ibrahim

    Baghdad College of Economic Sciences University, Baghdad 10064, Iraq

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i5.8830
Received: 22 February 2025 | Revised: 20 March 2025 | Accepted: 25 March 2025 | Published Online: 27 April 2025

Abstract

Northern and Southern British English exhibit different lexical variations that have historical origins tracing back to the Anglo-Saxon era, along with influences from the Vikings, indicating that Old Norse and German played distinct roles in the development of dialects. Each variation possesses specific pronunciation characteristics and phonological configurations shaped by vowel constructions. This article examines the lexical differences between Northern and Southern British English, focusing on the historical, social, and cultural influences that have shaped regional vocabulary. Although British English is often perceived as a unified linguistic system, notable lexical differences exist between the North and South, influenced by historical migrations, trade, and the development of local dialects. The investigation looks at variations in word usage, pronunciation, and meanings, utilizing corpus data and sociolinguistic research. Important lexical discrepancies include terms for common items (e.g., “bread roll" versus “bap"), ways of expressing politeness, and idiomatic expressions that are distinct to each region. Furthermore, the study explores how media, education, and mobility contribute to either the gradual merging or the continued existence of regional vocabularies. Results indicate that although some lexical characteristics remain firmly rooted in regional identities, others are evolving due to enhanced communication and social integration. Grasping these differences not only deepens the understanding of British English dialectology but also sheds light on broader linguistic transformations in modern English.

Keywords:

Lexical; British English; Linguistics; Northern and Southern British

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How to Cite

Adnan Mohaisen Alzuabidi, Shaymaa Fouad Aliakbar, Samah Ahmad Jamil, & Estabraq Rasheed Ibrahim. (2025). Lexical Variations in Northern and Southern British English. Forum for Linguistic Studies, 7(5), 387–400. https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i5.8830

Issue

Vol. 7 , Iss. 5 (May 2025): In progress

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Copyright © 2025 Adnan Mohaisen Alzuabidi, Shaymaa Fouad Aliakbar, Samah Ahmad Jamil, Estabraq Rasheed Ibrahim

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This is an open access article under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) License.