The iconic cockney dialect, best known through figures like Dame Barbara Windsor of EastEnders fame, is not as widespread in London today as it once was. However, research reveals that the influence of cockney continues to spread across the UK and beyond, making an impact in regions such as Essex, Glasgow, Australia, and New Zealand.
The Evolution of Cockney in London and Essex
Traditionally associated with the working-class areas of London, particularly the East End, cockney has gradually evolved, with its influence now more prominently found in Essex. According to Dr. Amanda Cole, a linguistics lecturer at the University of Essex, the cockney dialect hasn’t disappeared but has been modified into what is now referred to as “Estuary English”—a blend of cockney and more standardized forms of English.
Dr. Cole, who grew up in Essex with east London-born parents, highlights that many accents in the south-east of England, including Essex, have become more “cockney-like.” This modified version of cockney still retains some key features of the original dialect, although it’s less extreme than the version famously spoken by EastEnders characters or figures like actor Ray Winstone.
Cockney’s Influence on Global English
The impact of cockney extends far beyond the UK. Due to migration, many of the distinct vowel sounds associated with cockney made their way to Australia and New Zealand, where they became entrenched in local accents. For example, the Australian way of pronouncing the word “bake” sounds more like “bike,” a feature common in cockney. Over time, this pronunciation has become more pronounced in Australia while it has softened in the UK, largely due to negative perceptions of working-class accents.
Moreover, the global influence of cockney is also noticeable in the media. For instance, in Glasgow, the BBC soap EastEnders, which showcases cockney accents, has contributed to the spread of the dialect among younger viewers.
The Decline of Traditional Cockney
While traditional cockney may no longer be the dominant dialect of London, it hasn’t entirely vanished. Dr. Cole notes that features of cockney still live on in modified forms, especially in Essex. She explains that younger people in Essex, for instance, are less likely to drop “h”s or say “anyfink,” and their vowel sounds are less extreme than those of their east London-raised elders. New phrases such as “at the end of the day” or using “yous” instead of “you” for plural are also becoming more common.
The Legacy of Cockney
Despite the changes in pronunciation and usage, Dr. Cole argues that cockney’s legacy is still alive and well, albeit in a modified form. She refers to cockney as a “rich and colourful” dialect that has evolved and spread, particularly in Essex. “She hasn’t died—she’s just called ‘Essex’ now,” Cole quips, emphasizing the enduring influence of this iconic dialect.
The transformation of cockney highlights how dialects are dynamic, continually evolving and influencing speech patterns around the world. Whether in the streets of London, the urban centers of Australia, or the cultural landscape of Glasgow, the legacy of cockney remains an integral part of the English language’s global evolution.
