Hoi Toide on the Outer Banks: The Story of the Ocracoke Brogue

This book is a must have for anyone who loves language and dialect. Ocracoke Island is a beautiful and isolated place that has preserved its dialect for a long time. This book is an in depth study and analysis, yet it is an entertaining read. Walt Wolfram is a great man who preserves our cultural heritage and North Carolina is lucky to have him here. I was very lucky to have a language class with the great Professor McGowan at Appalachian State University, and this was a book we had to read. Walt Wolfram was invited to come speak at the university, and I had my copy of the book signed. You must also watch his documentary - Voices From North Carolina.

This is a lively and entertaining look into how language evolves among isolated populations. The authors trace the roots of Ocracoker English through early ports of entry to this country from England and Ireland. But they also note that the Ocracoke brogue has evolved separately from mainland English, and indeed from other, closely related dialects. Sadly, the authors also reflect on the fact that the brogue is disappearing under the onslaught of tourists flocking to Ocracoke Island.

I found it extremely interesting that what some people believe is "bad" English, actually has roots in "olde" English. The Authors take a look at the isolated language of NC's Outer Banks and trace it back to it's roots.