The Hull accent, affectionately known as “Hullensian,” stands as one of Yorkshire’s most distinctive dialects, shaped by the city’s unique position as an isolated port on the Humber estuary. This geographical isolation has helped preserve linguistic features that make the Hull accent notably different from other Yorkshire varieties, creating what locals proudly call their “Hull twang.”
The accent of Kingston upon Hull carries the legacy of its maritime history and its historical separation from other Yorkshire communities. Unlike other Yorkshire dialects, Hull’s pronunciation has been influenced by centuries of seafaring trade and its connection to Scandinavian countries. One of its most distinctive features is the way Hull speakers pronounce certain vowel sounds, particularly the replacement of “mouth” sounds with an “eh” sound, making “down” sound more like “deh-n” and “mouth” like “meh-th.”
Notable Hull voices include actress Maureen Lipman, who has retained her accent throughout her distinguished career, and poet Philip Larkin, who made Hull his home and captured its essence in his works. The comedian Lucy Beaumont has brought the Hull accent to national attention through her performances and TV appearances, often incorporating local dialect features into her comedy. The accent has also gained visibility through Hull City AFC’s presence in football and the city’s celebration as the UK City of Culture 2017.
For writers aiming to capture authentic Hull dialogue, it’s crucial to understand that the accent varies between the city’s different areas, from the traditional fishing communities of Hessle Road to the more gentrified areas of the Avenues. The accent has evolved with the city’s regeneration but maintains its unique character, marked by distinctive pronunciations and a rich vocabulary that reflects Hull’s proud maritime heritage and independent spirit.
Here’s a comprehensive guide to writing in a Hull/East Yorkshire dialect:
Vowel Modifications
‘O’ Sound Changes
– ‘o’ becomes ‘er’: no → ner
– ‘ow’ becomes ‘ar’: down → dahn
– ‘oa’ becomes ‘er’: road → rerd[1]
‘I’ Sound Changes
– ‘i’ becomes ‘ar’: white → whar
– ‘igh’ becomes ‘ar’: night → nart
– ‘i’ in ‘ing’ becomes ‘in’: going → goin
Consonant Changes
H-Dropping
– Drop initial ‘h’: here → ere
– Hold becomes ”odd'[1]
T-Dropping
– Final ‘t’ often dropped: that → tha
– Middle ‘t’ often dropped: water → wa’er
Other Changes
– ‘th’ becomes ‘d’: that → dat
– Final ‘g’ dropped in ‘ing’: going → goin
– “Am gonna” becomes “amgunna”[1]
Grammar Structure
Common Contractions
– Didn’t it → dinntit
– Going to → gunna
– Until → warl[1]
Hull-Specific Phrases
Greetings & Expressions
– “Err nerr” (oh no)[1]
– “Giz” (give me)[1]
– “Frame lad!” (sort yourself out)[1]
Local Terminology
– Baines (children)[1]
– Mafting (very hot)[1]
– Skeg (to look at something)[1]
– Twagging (skipping school)[1]
– Tenfoot (alleyway, 10 feet wide)[1]
– Breadcake (bread roll)[1]
Common Expressions
Standard: “Oh no, I’m going on the road”
Hull: “Err nerr, am gorn on rerd”
Standard: “Can I borrow money until Monday?”
Hull: “Can I borrow a tenner warl Monday?”[1]
Standard: “It’s very hot today”
Hull: “It’s proper mafting today”
Unique Hull Features
Food-Related Terms
– Pattie (mashed potato with herbs, deep-fried)[1]
– Pattyslapper (female fish factory worker)[1]
– Bikkies (biscuits)[1]
Activity Words
– Booling (pushing, as in “booling a pram”)[1]
– Cockle over (stumble or fall)[1]
– Spragging (telling on someone)[1]
Writing Tips
1. Keep pronunciation consistent
2. Use apostrophes to show dropped letters
3. Maintain readability
4. Consider context for clarity
5. Don’t overdo dialectical spelling
Common Descriptive Terms
– Della (daft)[1]
– Mouse (in a mood)[1]
– Duvall (handsome man)[1]
– Curled (cold)[1]
– Brock (broken)[1]
Remember that Hull dialect is distinct from other Yorkshire variants, with its own unique pronunciations and vocabulary. The accent is characterized by minimal lip movement and distinctive vowel sounds that set it apart from other regional dialects[2].
Sources
[1] Hull Slang: Words & Phrases – The Yorkshireman https://the-yorkshireman.com/hull-slang/
[2] The Hull Accent ‘Yer’ or ‘ner’ ? | Welcome to Hullywood https://hullywoodguide.wordpress.com/2015/05/01/the-hull-accent-yer-or-ner/
[3] 10 British dialects you need to know ‹ EF GO Blog | EF Global Site (English) https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/language/british-dialects-you-need-to-know/
[4] What are the different types of British accents? https://www.hotcoursesabroad.com/study-in-the-uk/once-you-arrive/the-different-types-of-british-accents/
