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The way we speak is an integral part of us and our identity.Ìý

Yet we change our accents depending on where we are and who we are with.Ìý

When is your alter-accent brought out?

Is it for Sunday best, chatting on the phone or to speak to southerners who don't understand the difference between the Tyne and the Tees?

Listen to the "Accents" link at the top right of this page for more information.

Does someone need to be lush or dishy to tickle your fancy?Ìý A bonny lass or a bobby dazzler?

And if you find their looks unpalatable on the eye, would they be from the dark side, a minger or a brute?Ìý

Listen to the "Slang" link at the top right of this page for more information.

Tabernacle ÌýÌý (t bÌý r-n kÌý l)Ìý n.
ÌýÌýÌýÌý a box on a church altar containing the consecrated host and wine of the Eucharist; a place of worship

Utter this word in French-speaking Canada and mouths will drop open in disgust.

Blasphemy is as taboo over there as certain, shall we say, anatomical terminology (or uses thereof) is over here.Ìý

Does that mean it is OK to 'take the Lord’s name in vain' in 21st Century Teesside?

Listen to the "Blasphemy" link at the top right of this page for more information.

Multi-cultural, multi-lingual and proud.Ìý Abingdon Primary School in Middlesbrough.Ìý

What advantages are there for the pupils from eighteen countries who between them speak six different languages?Ìý

As Adeel says, "It'd be boring if everyone was speaking the same language!"

Listen to the "Languages" link at the top right of this page for more information.

And it sounds as if it’s up to the young to lead the way…

Otway areyay ouyay oingday?

No, it’s not some obscure foreign language but none other than Backslang: the latest fad to hit schools and a secret language to dupe parents.Ìý

Adults beware though.Ìý

It seems as though trying to crack the code only ends in embarrassment.Ìý That is, unless you have a sideline as a New York gangster.

Listen to the "Backslang" link at the top right of this page for more information.

Your comments:

Susan Whittenham
I use the expression 'fillum' for 'film' and I'm a Darlington girl. Despite having lived in Hampshire for over 40 years I'm still proud of my origins up north

katherine ryder
Hiya, i live in loftus, teesside. I live quite close to yorkshire, and if i was to great someone i would use terms such as 'now-then' or 'ey-up'. I am also called 'kidda' by my parents, which is a pet name used by many parents in my area for their children. Other terms which i would consider to be local are 'nobba' another pet name, and'bobby-dazzler' which is anything nice or impressive. In terms of pronounciation i would say film as 'filum' (this is as far is i know limited to east cleveland), and i would say words like post 'poast'. If asked a question, to reply in the affirmatinve, insead of saying yes, i would say 'eye-'appen' (this is quite yorkshire-ish). If surprised by a comment i would reply by saying 'eee', or if surprised by an event 'ecky-mick'. There is also in print a dictionary of the cleveland dialect which is an exelent source of many local terms.Ìý