Urgent QUERY: pronunciation of Balquidder Strathspey

Ron.Mackey

Message 15380 · 4 Jan 1999 23:37:17 · Fixed-width font · Whole thread

> The spelling of Balquidder, also Balquhidder, comes from Middle
English.
> The use of "qu(h)" for the Old English "hw" is found in northern dialects of
> Middle English, and indicates that the aspiration is strong. So in
> fourteenth century texts written in the northern dialect we find quyte for
> white (OE hwite), quat for what (hwaet), quhelis (hweol) for wheels, quhill
> (hwil) for while, quhar (hwaer) for where, etc. In the southern dialects
> the aspiration is weak or lost, and "wh" is used, so we find whyyt, what
> etc. Sometimes only the "w" is used as in wat for what. Both usages, qu
> and wh, can be found in midland dialects.
>
> Margaret Connors,

Thanks Margaret. That is quite fascinating as I do know that in
certain parts of Newcastle (Northumberland county) the strong
guttural still pertains.
Cheers, Ron :)

< 0 Ron Mackey,(Purveyor of Pat's Party Pieces)
'O> Mottingham,
/#\ London. UK.
l>
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