Cumbrian is more than an accent, it is a bundle of words, rhythms and phrases shaped by farming life, coastal towns, and Viking roots. You will hear it in markets, at football grounds, on the fells, and in pubs after a long walk. This guide gives you a feel for the dialect, where it comes from, and how to enjoy it when you visit.
Where the dialect comes from
Cumbrian blends Old Norse from Viking settlers, northern Old English, and border influences from Scotland. That is why maps and walks use Norse words like fell for mountain, beck for stream, and tarn for small lake. West Cumbria adds its own flavour from mining and steelmaking communities, Eden sounds softer and more rural, and Furness picks up coastal and industrial notes.
How it sounds
You do not need to master phonetics to follow along, a few tips help a lot.
- Aye means yes, nar or nay can mean no.
- Little often becomes la’al.
- You can be yez or youse in some areas.
- Going home is gan yam or gannin yam in West Cumbria.
- Endings get clipped, walking becomes walkin, nothing becomes nowt.
- Everyday Cumbrian words and meanings
Use these as you hear them, not all at once. Locals will grin if you try a couple.
- Aye, yes
- La’al, little, small
- Marra, mate or friend, common in West Cumbria
- Nowt / Owt, nothing, anything
- Yam, home, as in gan yam
- Bairn, child
- Nesh, a bit soft with the cold
- Clarty, muddy or messy
- Ginnel / Lonnin, narrow lane or passage
- Crack, good chat or news, as in “what’s the crack”
- Owdo, hello, how do you do
- Ow’t gannin on, anything happening
- Lowp, to jump
- Brossen, very full after food
- Fettle, condition, “in good fettle”
- Tattie, potato
- Yan, tan, tethera, old shepherds’ counting for one, two, three
- Gleg, a quick look
- Canny, nice or pleasant
- Handy phrases you will hear
- “Aye, it’s nowt.” It is nothing, do not worry.
- “Stop till Ah get me coat.” Wait while I get my coat.
- “It’s clarty up there on t’fell.” It is muddy on the hill.
- “Gan yam for yer tea.” Go home for your dinner, tea means an evening meal in many homes.
Keswick, Carlisle, Barrow, Whitehaven, how it varies
- West Cumbria, Workington and Whitehaven, stronger use of marra, yam, and lively vowels.
- Eden and Penrith, softer pace, plenty of farming vocabulary and Norse place words.
- South Lakeland and Furness, coastal terms, shipyard and industrial words mixed with fell talk.
- Market towns like Keswick and Ambleside, lots of visitor English, the local words still jump out in shops and pubs.
Polite tips for visitors
- If you miss a word, smile and ask, “Sorry, what does that mean,” people are happy to explain.
- Do not mimic accents, try a word or two naturally.
- Learn aye, la’al, marra, and nowt, you will get far with those four.
A quick mini-conversation
Local: “Owdo, marra, ow’t gannin on?”
You: “Aye, all reet, just headin up t’fell, bit clarty mind.”
Local: “Aye, tek care then, get yam afore dark.”
Why it matters
Dialect keeps stories, trades and places alive. It names the landscape, it carries humour and pride, and it makes Cumbria feel like Cumbria. Listen for it on the buses, in the butchers, and outside the ground on match day, it is part of the trip.
