The Devonshire Dialect

Sadly there are few of us “true Devonians” left in Torbay – so many people have moved to the area, that we’ve been pushed to the edge of extinction! However, should you meet one and want to speak “Demshur” like a native, here are a few phrases you might try to throw in:

‘ow be acking me ‘anzum?
How are you, my handsome?

us be gwain fer wan o’ they crame tays
We are going for one of those cream teas

The pawer awl zaul – ‘ers wedded a gude ver-nort
The poor old soul – she has married a good for nothing

Do ‘ee vale leery?
Do you feel hungry?

Me innerds is thinkin’ me mouth ez daid
My stomach thinks my mouth has died

Tiz time us wuz maakin’ awm
It is time we were going home

Yu’m maized
You are mad

T’is prapper viddy y’er by zayzide
It is very pretty here at the seaside

Uz ‘ave bin traipsin’ roun’ th’ shaps
We have been walking around the shops

T’waz vury purty aitin’ – yu’m ded orter a went there
It was very tasty food – you should go there

Oy’m minded to ‘ave zum zider
I think I’ll have some cider

Yu’m a praaper lill tawud
You are a little toad