CHAPTER IX

FOREIGN ELEMENTS IN THE DIALECTS


There is a widely prevalent notion that the speakers of English
Dialects employ none but native words; and it is not uncommon for
writers who have more regard for picturesque effect than for accuracy
to enlarge upon this theme, and to praise the dialects at the expense
of the literary language. Of course there is a certain amount of truth
in this, but it would be better to look into the matter a little more
closely.

A very little reflection will show that dialect-speakers have always
been in contact with some at least of those who employ words that
belong rather, or once belonged, to foreign nations. Even shopkeepers
are familiar with such words as _beef_, _mutton_, _broccoli_, _soda_,
_cork_, _sherry_, _brandy_, _tea_, _coffee_, _sugar_, _sago_, and many
more such words that are now quite familiar to every one. Yet _beef_
and _mutton_ are Norman; _broccoli_ and _soda_ are Italian; _cork_
and _sherry_ are Spanish; _brandy_ is Dutch; _tea_ is Chinese;
_coffee_ is Arabic; _sugar_ is of Sanskrit origin; and _sago_ is
Malay. It must be evident that many similar words, having reference
to very various useful things, have long ago drifted into the dialects
from the literary language. Hence the purity of the dialects from
contamination with foreign influences is merely comparative, not
absolute.

Our modern language abounds with words borrowed from many foreign