Book contents
- The New Cambridge History of the English Language
- The New Cambridge History of the English Language
- The New Cambridge History of the English Language
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Figures
- Maps
- Tables
- Contributors to Volume IV
- General Preface
- Abbreviations
- General Editor’s Introduction
- Introduction to Volume IV
- Part I Language Variation and Change
- Part II English in England
- 5 The Traditional Dialects of England and the History of English
- 6 The History of Received Pronunciation
- 7 Early London English
- 8 The Recent History of London English
- 9 English in the Southwest of England
- 10 English in East Anglia
- 11 English in the Midlands
- 12 English in Merseyside
- 13 English in Tyneside
- Part III English in Wales
- Part IV English in Scotland
- Part V English in Ireland
- Part VI English in Europe
- Index
- References
12 - English in Merseyside
from Part II - English in England
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 08 March 2026
Edited by
Book contents
- The New Cambridge History of the English Language
- The New Cambridge History of the English Language
- The New Cambridge History of the English Language
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Figures
- Maps
- Tables
- Contributors to Volume IV
- General Preface
- Abbreviations
- General Editor’s Introduction
- Introduction to Volume IV
- Part I Language Variation and Change
- Part II English in England
- 5 The Traditional Dialects of England and the History of English
- 6 The History of Received Pronunciation
- 7 Early London English
- 8 The Recent History of London English
- 9 English in the Southwest of England
- 10 English in East Anglia
- 11 English in the Midlands
- 12 English in Merseyside
- 13 English in Tyneside
- Part III English in Wales
- Part IV English in Scotland
- Part V English in Ireland
- Part VI English in Europe
- Index
- References
Summary
The city dialect of Liverpool has a unique profile in the context of other urban varieties in Britain. It is well known for such features as stop lenition and the NURSE–SQUARE merger, along with TH-stopping, these traits in combination forming a set which is not replicated elsewhere. The present study examines the historical background to Liverpool English, its geographical position in relation to the counties of Cheshire to the south and Lancashire to the north. In addition, the role of immigration to the city, especially that of Irish people in the nineteenth century, is discussed and the role which this input may have played in determining the developmental course for Liverpool English is evaluated. Finally, the current position of local speech in the city is examined and possible future pathways are indicated.
Keywords
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- Information
- The New Cambridge History of the English LanguageBritain, Ireland and Europe, pp. 336 - 357Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2026
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