The Yorkshire accent, particularly the Leeds variant, is a distinctive voice of Northern England that echoes through the urban valleys of West Yorkshire. This accent, characterized by its rich vowel sounds and unique pronunciations, can vary significantly even within short distances – traveling just 20 minutes between towns can reveal noticeably different speech patterns.
Leeds, as part of the Urban West Yorkshire English (UWYE) dialect region, showcases specific features that distinguish it from other Yorkshire variants. The accent is traditionally associated with the working class and has spread from the city centers to surrounding towns and rural districts. One of its most recognizable features is the ‘flat’ vowel sound, particularly noticeable in words containing ‘o’ sounds, where speakers tend to use a pronunciation closer to the vowel in ‘thought’.
Several prominent figures showcase the Leeds and broader Yorkshire accent in various forms. Dame Judi Dench from York, Sir Patrick Stewart from Mirfield, and Sean Bean from Sheffield are among the most recognized Yorkshire voices in entertainment. The accent has also been preserved through literature, featuring prominently in classics like “Wuthering Heights” and “The Secret Garden”. For those interested in hearing authentic examples, numerous YouTube channels demonstrate the accent’s features, including pronunciation tutorials that highlight the distinct characteristics of Yorkshire speech.
For authors writing Yorkshire characters, it’s crucial to understand that the accent varies by both geography and social class. The speech patterns of someone from South Leeds will differ noticeably from those in more affluent areas like Adel or Harrogate. The traditional Yorkshire dialect has experienced significant leveling throughout the 20th century, though many distinctive features persist, making it one of Britain’s most recognizable regional accents.
Here’s a comprehensive guide to writing in a Leeds/Yorkshire dialect:
Vowel Modifications
STRUT Words
– Words like ‘love’, ‘up’, ‘strut’ use /ʊ/: love → luv
– ‘One’ rhymes with ‘gone'[7]
– ‘Nothing’ becomes ‘nowt’
– ‘Something’ becomes ‘summat'[2]
Long Vowels
– FACE words become monophthongs: make → mek
– GOAT words become /o:/: home → ‘ome
– BATH words use short /a/: bath → bath (short a)
– Final ‘y’ becomes ‘eh’: happy → ‘appeh[7]
Consonant Changes
H-Dropping
– Initial ‘h’ is dropped: here → ‘ere
– How are you → ‘ow are you[5]
T-Glottaling
– Middle ‘t’ becomes glottal stop: butter → bu’er
– Final ‘t’ often dropped
– ‘the’ becomes ‘t’: to the shop → t’t shop[5]
Other Features
– ‘-ing’ becomes ‘in’: walking → walkin’
– Initial ‘th’ becomes ‘d’: that → dat
– ‘with’ shortens to ‘wi'[5]
Grammar Structure
Articles
– ‘The’ becomes ‘t’: going to the shop → goin t’shop[5]
– Often dropped entirely before consonants
Pronouns
– Myself → misen
– Yourself → thissen
– Ourselves → ussens[2]
Leeds-Specific Phrases
Greetings
– “Ey up” (hello)
– “Sithee” (goodbye/see you later)
– “Ere mush” (hi mate)[2]
Common Expressions
– “Bob into” (to quickly visit)[2]
– “Tin tin tin” (it isn’t in the tin)[2]
– “Am proper jiggered” (I’m exhausted)[1]
– “Chelpin'” (talking too much)[2]
Local Terminology
Everyday Words
– Spogs (sweets/candy)[2]
– Ginnel (alleyway)
– Radged (angry)
– Ketty (nasty/rancid)
– Laik/laikin’ (to play/playing)[1]
Example Dialogue
Standard: “Hello, are you going to the shop?”
Leeds: “Ey up, tha goin t’shop? Want owt?”
Standard: “I’m really tired today”
Leeds: “Am proper jiggered today”
Standard: “Stop talking nonsense”
Leeds: “Stop thi chelpin'”
Writing Tips
1. Be consistent with dropped letters
2. Use apostrophes to show omitted sounds
3. Keep the Yorkshire grammar structure
4. Remember ‘t’ replaces ‘the’
5. Use local vocabulary naturally
The Leeds accent is generally considered less broad than other Yorkshire variants but retains distinctive features that set it apart from standard English. Remember that modern Leeds speakers might use a milder form of these features, especially younger generations.
Sources
[1] Leeds Survival Guide, Part 2: Leeds Lingo – QUT Gone Global https://blogs.qut.edu.au/gone-global/2017/11/21/leeds-survival-guide-part-2-leeds-lingo/
[2] The 21 words and phrases you’ll only know if you’re from Yorkshire https://thehootleeds.com/news/the-21-words-and-phrases-youll-only-know-if-youre-from-leeds/
[3] 61 Yorkshire Slang Words And Phrases That Mean Nothing To … https://the-yorkshireman.com/yorkshire-slang/
[4] 50 Charming Yorkshire Slang Words and Sayings: Embracing the … https://www.secretyorkshire.co.uk/post/50-charming-yorkshire-slang-words-and-sayings-embracing-the-local-lexicon
[5] Yorkshire Sayings: Expressions And Phrases Explained ( A Dictionary) – The Yorkshire Press https://theyorkshirepress.co.uk/yorkshire/yorkshire-sayings-expressions-phrases-dictionary/
[6] Yorkshire Accent [Yorkshire English Tutorial, 5 Examples] https://golocalise.com/blog/how-to-do-a-yorkshire-accent
[7] Yorkshire (Leeds) – KTS – Accents https://accent.ktspeech.work/yorkshire-leeds/
[8] Linguistic Features of the Yorkshire Dialect https://yorkshireaccent.wordpress.com/linguistic-features-of-the-yorkshire-dialect/
