Help me pick a dialect/idiom/slang

[Davidius]

Hey everybody,

In my Middle High German class (medieval German) we have to translate a 225 line short story from verse into either prose or verse. We also are supposed to translate it into some kind of English dialect or idiom instead of just regular English. Our professor said that students in the past have done things like Bronx English, Mountain/Country-Folk English, etc. I am not very creative and was wondering whether any of you can think of a good form of English to use. It can be anything really; it need not necessarily be a geographical dialect but it could also be the way a certain kind of people talk, etc. Thanks!

 

[sotzo]

You may want to give Cockney rhyming slang a shot, although the dictionary is immense.

For more info try these:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cockney_rhyming_slang
http://www.aldertons.com/english-.htm

By the way, this dialect originated in the East end of London, so you will find verbiage within it that is slightly "colorful".

Here's a translator:
http://www.cockneyrhymingslang.co.uk/rabbit

BTW, I did my undergrad at Appalachian State...had loads of friends there from Chapel Hill...still have one there who plays in a band called Leisure McCorkle...they still play around town?

 

[Davidius]

You may want to give Cockney rhyming slang a shot, although the dictionary is immense.

For more info try these:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cockney_rhyming_slang
http://www.aldertons.com/english-.htm

By the way, this dialect originated in the East end of London, so you will find verbiage within it that is slightly "colorful".

Here's a translator:
http://www.cockneyrhymingslang.co.uk/rabbit

BTW, I did my undergrad at Appalachian State...had loads of friends there from Chapel Hill...still have one there who plays in a band called Leisure McCorkle...they still play around town?

Hey Joel,

Thanks for the links! I'll check those out.

I can't say I've heard of Leisure McCorkle but I don't "go out" much so they could well be around still.

 

[Davidius]

So, for Cockney, is there a specific list of words or am I allowed to make up my own rhymes?