An Introduction to Regional Englishes: Dialect Variation in England

Are the dialects of England disappearing under the pressure of globalization and a preference for Estuary English, a dialect widely spoken in the country’s southeast region, or are the geographical differences of Britain as strong as ever? Joan Beal reviews recent research on regional variation in England and reevaluates the evidence for dialect leveling, ultimately arguing that despite such trends, distinct dialects still operate as clear and vivid markers of regional and local identity.