DICTIONARY publishers Collins are keen to hear from people around the country about regional dialect. They want to include much-used local words and phrases in a new edition. But, how could Bolton residents contribute? And is dialect still important in 2002? ANGELA KELLY investigates

BOLTON talk, Lankyspeak, local dialect -- the way we speak is a vital part of our culture. So it is entirely right and proper that Collins should want to include words which have passed into the local language over the years in the next edition of their famous dictionary.

From the mee-mawing of the mills (the expressive sign language necessary to carry on conversation over the deafening sound of the looms) to casual conversation in Bolton's pubs, our "language" is both individual and rich.

It's not just a twang. There are words and phrases specific to the Bolton boundaries. They have real significance here. They belong here.

Like the mee-mawing, they reflect life as it has been lived for decades. And they allow local folk to converse with ease -- no language tape necessary, but woe betide "foreigners" who question the meaning of words.

Now, Bolton-ese even crops up on national TV and radio, courtesy of Peter Kay, Sara Cox and Vernon Kay. One of the first people to showcase the peculiarities of the Bolton vocabulary was Farnworth's Hylda Baker, who brought local words and phrases national recognition through music hall and TV.

Their accents and -- to some extent -- language would still not sound out of place in a town centre bar or at the checkout in Asda at Astley Bridge.

But you don't hear people described as "mithering" (bothering, irritating) in Southend. Or that someone's "gorra gate" doing something (got into the habit of) in Edinburgh.

"That's the beauty of local dialect," explains local dialect expert Ernie Ford.

Born and brought up in Westhoughton -- which has a language all of its own, some would argue -- he has always been fascinated by the way we speak.

Now "a senior and a bit more", he writes poetry and stories in dialect and believes it is as relevant today as it ever was.

"It's as much a part of local history as any building, and it deserves to be cherished," he states.

"Dialect changes so much, even within a few miles. Like in Westhoughton, for example. It's only a few miles down the road from Wigan, but here we say 'He were going to town' and there they say 'He wuzz going to town'."

So, is it a step in the right direction by Collins to chronicle these very local words and phrases?

"Oh, aye," insisted Ernie. "It's important to keep it going. The language is part of us. It's not like the way they speak in Liverpool or Blackburn. It's all about how we live. You could tell a joke in standard English and it might not raise a laugh. But put it into local dialect, and it's reet funny!"

If you would like to be involved in Collins' regional words campaign, contact Caroline Henry at HarperCollins Publishers Ltd, Westerhill Road, Bishopbriggs, Glasgow G64 2QT or e-mail paige.weber@harpercollins.co.uk

TEST YOUR BOLTON-ESE

WORD/PHRASE

TRANSLATION

Abeawt ...

Bally ...

Chawve ...

Fawd ...

Gobbin ...

Keck-meg ...

Gripes ...

Rubbin' rag ...

Reet gradely ...

"I'm tekking a sken" ...

"He's got fer t'gor" ...

"Are theaw't quack" ...

"Ah'm cowfin lahk a good-un" .

"Ah'm powfagged" ...

About

Stomach

Aggravate

Fell

Someone who is guaranteed to do something ridiculous

A meddling woman

Severe stomach pain, possibly caused by wind

A person who has no influence

Really great

"I am having a look"

"He has to go"

"Are you the doctor?"

"I can't stop coughing"

"I am weary"