Hoi Toide on the Outer Banks: The Story of the Ocracoke Brogue

By Natalie Schilling-Estes and Walt Wolfram

Book Overview

As many visitors to Ocracoke will attest, the island's vibrant dialect is one of its most distinctive cultural features. In Hoi Toide on the Outer Banks, Walt Wolfram and Natalie Schilling-Estes present a fascinating account of the Ocracoke brogue. They trace its development, identify the elements of pronunciation, vocabulary, and syntax that make it unique, and even provide a glossary and quiz to enhance the reader's knowledge of 'Ocracokisms.' In the process, they offer an intriguing look at the role language plays in a culture's efforts to define and maintain itself. But Hoi Toide on the Outer Banks is more than a linguistic study. Based on extensive interviews with more than seventy Ocracoke residents of all ages and illustrated with captivating photographs by Ann Ehringhaus and Herman Lankford, the book offers valuable insight on what makes Ocracoke special. In short, by tracing the history of island speech, the authors succeed in opening a window on the history of the islanders themselves.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0807846260
• ISBN13: 9780807846261
• Release Date: April 1997
• Publisher: University of North Carolina Press
• Length: 184 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.1" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Fascinating book about a rare NC dialect

This book is a must have for anyone who loves language and dialect. Ocracoke Island is a beautiful and isolated place that has preserved its dialect for a long time. This book is an in depth study and analysis, yet it is an entertaining read. Walt Wolfram is a great man who preserves our cultural heritage and North Carolina is lucky to have him here. I was very lucky to have a language class with the great Professor McGowan at Appalachian State University, and this was a book we had to read. Walt Wolfram was invited to come speak at the university, and I had my copy of the book signed. You must also watch his documentary - Voices From North Carolina.

Hoi marks for Hoi Toide

This is a lively and entertaining look into how language evolves among isolated populations. The authors trace the roots of Ocracoker English through early ports of entry to this country from England and Ireland. But they also note that the Ocracoke brogue has evolved separately from mainland English, and indeed from other, closely related dialects. Sadly, the authors also reflect on the fact that the brogue is disappearing under the onslaught of tourists flocking to Ocracoke Island.

Proper English from the Outer Banks

I found it extremely interesting that what some people believe is "bad" English, actually has roots in "olde" English. The Authors take a look at the isolated language of NC's Outer Banks and trace it back to it's roots.