English As We Speak It in Ireland

"English As We Speak It in Ireland" by P. W. Joyce is an examination into the distinct version of English used in Ireland at the beginning of the 20th century. Joyce looks at how Irish and Old English deeply shaped the language, and how Irish English developed through local use. The author wants to thoroughly explain the Anglo-Irish dialect and focuses on the area's vocabulary and expressions. The beginning of the book offers an explanation from Joyce regarding his reasons and background in putting together this language study. He talks about how it's important to closely study the Anglo-Irish dialect because earlier texts mostly gave basic lists of words and sayings. Joyce also considers the different effects on this dialect, describing his thorough research and the many origins of his information, like personal observations, help from others, folklore, and literature. This sets the stage for a thorough investigation of the dialect in the following chapters.