In a return visit to Radstock, Tony Painter, who talked to Science in Radstock a while back about the history and mystery of maps, will examine this question and others about West Country dialect.

How did our ancestors speak, and would we understand them? How did dialects develop, and how were they influenced by geography, their historic and cultural setting and the way of life? To what extent is the West Country dialect still used, and what are the special features that define it? How has it been influenced by attitudes, literacy and recent history? How is it portrayed in the media?

At our own personal level, what aspects of local speech and customs do we recall from childhood that no longer exist? How do we describe a light fall of snow? What do we call a woodlouse? What were the rules of our playground games, and the truce words we used when we wanted to stop the game? Did we have rivalries with other nearby towns and villages, and have special names for them?

Such words, phrases and details are part of us and our heritage, and it is important that they are remembered and recorded. Tony Painter grew up in Wiltshire, and his parents came from North Wiltshire and East Somerset. His relatives are still largely based in the area, and he recalls the use of dialect by older relatives.

The talk looks at the spread of languages and the development of the West Country dialect and its vocabulary, accent, structure and word order. It examines early dialect studies and personalities and takes a light-hearted look at West Country expressions and superstitions, games and pastimes and the influence on dialect of agriculture, industries and other occupations. All are welcome to come and listen to Tony at Radstock Working Men’s Club on Tuesday, 20th November, starting at 7.30 p.m.