Why "golly" and "gosh" are going the way of the dinosaur, with Sali Tagliamonte

In short

This episode features a conversation with linguist Sally Taggliamonte, delving into the fascinating world of Ontario dialects. Taggliamonte shares her personal journey into dialectology, sparked by observing linguistic variations in her family and community. She discusses the extensive Ontario Dialects Project, highlighting unique regionalisms, the influence of French on English in certain areas, and the evolution of common expressions. The conversation also touches on the inclusion of Canadian words in dictionaries and concludes with book recommendations.

Key takeaways

• Regional dialects in Ontario are diverse and influenced by various factors, including family, community, and historical settlement patterns.
• The Ontario Dialects Project is a significant, long-term effort to document and understand the linguistic landscape of the province.
• Linguistic phenomena like the use of 'the' vs. 'my' and the evolution of exclamations reveal deeper cultural and social influences on language.
• The inclusion of Canadian words in dictionaries is an ongoing process, reflecting the unique linguistic contributions of Canada.
• Book recommendations span literature, short story writing, and culinary arts, offering diverse avenues for intellectual and personal growth.

Chapters

1. 00:00

   Introduction to Ontario Dialects

   The podcast begins with a recap of a previous conversation with linguist Sally Taggliamonte about Ontario dialects, highlighting topics like the decline of 'golly' and 'gosh' and the inclusion of words like 'gas bar' and 'Moscoka chair' in the Oxford English Dictionary.

2. 01:15

   The Genesis of Dialectology Research

   Sally Taggliamonte shares how her interest in dialectology began, sparked by observing linguistic shifts in her mother when visiting her grandparents and the unique speech patterns of people frequenting her grandparents' country store and post office.

3. 03:45

   The 'Soker' Revelation

   A pivotal moment occurred when Taggliamonte realized her students didn't understand the word 'soker,' a term from her own dialect for getting wet feet. This highlighted the diversity within Canadian English and motivated her to study regional variations.

4. 06:30

   The Ontario Dialects Project

   Taggliamonte discusses the extensive Ontario Dialects Project, which has collected linguistic data from 21 different locations across the province over 25 years, aiming to document the nuances of regional speech.

5. 10:10

   French Influence in Ontario English

   The conversation touches on the French influence in English spoken by Anglophones in Northern Ontario, specifically mentioning the use of 'là' at the end of sentences as a discourse marker, similar to French usage.

6. 13:45

   The 'The' vs. 'My' Distinction

   Taggliamonte explains the subtle linguistic phenomenon of using 'the' versus 'my' (e.g., 'the phone' vs. 'my phone') and how this can be influenced by whether possession is communal or individual, often seen in bilingual communities.

7. 17:30

   Canadianisms and the Oxford English Dictionary

   The discussion shifts to the inclusion of Canadian words in the Oxford English Dictionary, noting that while 'Chesterfield' is recognized, many other uniquely Canadian terms are still absent, and the project aims to rectify this.

8. 20:30

   The Evolution of 'Oh My God'

   Taggliamonte explores the shift from euphemisms like 'golly' and 'gosh' to the widespread use of 'Oh my God' as an exclamation, noting its historical context and how its usage has become desensitized over time.

9. 24:00

   Regional Variations in Exclamations

   The podcast highlights how exclamations like 'golly' and 'gosh' are becoming less common, replaced by 'Oh my God,' and how regional variations in these expressions are disappearing, particularly in urban centers.

10. 27:00

    Book Recommendations

    Taggliamonte shares three book recommendations: 'Jonathan Livingston Seagull' for opening the mind, Alice Munro's short stories for learning the craft of short story writing, and 'Love Real Food' cookbook for culinary inspiration.

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