Languages (and their dialects) are possibly one of The great wonders of our civilization. There are, for example, those Latinos in southern Florida who have been mixing English and Spanish for years creating a new language. Not far from there, but some centuries earlier, some pirates arrived to establish what was never seen in the United States: the Isabelino English. Centuries later they still do not understand them.
Ocracoke’s language. The story told Recently the BBC. In the remote Ocracoke IslandNorth Carolina, survives a unique dialect in the United States: the Hoi Toidera mixture of Isabelino EnglishIrish and Scottish accents of the 18th century, and the slang of the pirates who invaded the island several centuries ago. This is the only variant of English in the United States that is not identified as American, a linguistic relic that has remained thanks to the geographical isolation of the island and its singular history.
The pirates. Ocracoke, an island of 24.9 km square, was for centuries A pirate shelterEnglish and native sailors American Wocconwho interacted and created a community with their own cultural and linguistic collection. One of the most emblematic characters was William Howardex-pirata and old crew of the Barbanegra shipwho, after receiving a real pardon, bought the island in 1759 and helped establish a society that, in almost total isolation, preserved his own dialect.
The isolation of the island not only influenced language, but also in the way of life. Until 1938, the enclave It had no electricityand the Ferry service did not begin until 1957. This allowed the community to remain largely oblivious to changes in the outside world, preserving its traditional way of life, its culture and its dialect.
A language in danger. The story remembers In the case of Erromintxela In Spain. The Ocracoke dialect, the Hoi Toider, is easily recognizable for its characteristic phonetics. For example, the sound “I” is pronounced as “OI”, which transforms “High Tide” in “Hoi Toide”, origin of the name of the dialect. In addition, the vocabulary includes words and phrases inherited from the first British and Irish settlers, such as “Mommuck” (disturbing), “quamish” (dizzy) and “Pizer” (Porche).
Plus: Many terms were brought from Europe, but others emerged inside the island, Like “Meehonkey”a hiding game inspired by the sound of the geese when flying. There is also “dingbatter”, a term that locals use to refer to strangers. The problem? That the arrival of television, internet and tourism accelerated that possible disappearance of the hoi toider. According to The linguist Dr. Walt Wolframless than half of the 676 current inhabitants of the island speak with the traditional accent, and within one or two generations could disappear completely.
Live on your back to everything. Beyond the language, the Ocracoke community continues to keep a way of life Unique and self -sufficient. On the island there are no large supermarkets or commercial chains, so residents depend on small local stores, artisanal markets and fishing. Instead of cinemas, there are Outdoor theater groupsand many islanders still work as fishermen, carpenters and owners of small breweries.
The scenario is so picturesque that one of the most emblematic culinary traditions It’s Fig Cakecreated in 1964 when an inhabitant replaced the dates of a cake with canned figs. Today, the cake is part of the local identity, and every August the Festival of the figwith pastry competitions, dances and traditional games such as Meehonkey.
The Quid: Change or not. Of course, Ocracoke continues to attract new residents and touristswhich has generated a debate about the future of its cultural identity. Some fear that the arrival of outsiders dilute local customs, while others see growth as a natural evolution, similar to the diversity that the first settlers led to the island.
Be that as it may, what seems clear is that the Ocracoke community remains an increasingly rare example of solidarity and tradition. Finally, people help each other and, although the dialect can disappear, the spirit of the island It remains intact. “Words can change, but the meaning behind them will remain the same”, The islanders assure.
Meanwhile (and last), they will continue talking so English that the rest of the country does not understand them.
Image | Nicolaas Baur, bobistraveling
In Xataka | The Latinos of the south of Florida have been mixing English for years. And they have created a new dialect