Norther was a metal band from Helsinki, Finland. The band began in early 1… Read Full Bio ↴Norther was a metal band from Helsinki, Finland. The band began in early 1996 under the name of Requiem, and was assembled by guitarist Petri Lindroos and drummer Toni Hallio accompanied by two other musicians. In the beginning, the band suffered from the lack of a proper rehearsal place, but in late 1997, guitarist Alexander Kuoppala (ex-Children of Bodom) found a suitable place for them to practice at Lepakko; around this time the band decided to change their name from Requiem to Decayed. Their luck was short-lived, however, as their new rehearsal place was soon to be demolished. The musicians who played with Lindroos and Hallio soon lost their motivation and quit Requiem.

After a few months, the band managed to find another rehearsal place, and began looking for members to complete their line-up. After quite a few auditions, they were unable to find musicians that they deemed fit to play with them, and thus went on a hiatus, which lasted until the beginning of 2000, when they met guitarist Kristian Ranta. The band became active once more, and with the help of two brothers who were friends of Lindroos - Sebastian and Joakim Ekroos - the band recorded their first demo, for the first time using the name Norther. A promising demo led to them signing a deal with Spinefarm Records.

Due to internal problems, the Ekroos brothers quit the band; this lead Norther into finding its first stable formation when bassist Jukka Koskinen and keyboardist Tuomas Planman were incorporated into the band.

Norther received a positive response from specialized press after the release of the album Dreams of Endless War. Following this, the band maintained a prolific release schedule, releasing the albums "Mirror of Madness" (2003), "Death Unlimited" (2004), and "Till Death Unites Us" (2006), as well as the singles "Released" (2002), "Unleash Hell" (2003), "Spreading Death" (2003), and Scream (2006), the MiniDVD single Spreading Death, an EP titled Solution 7 (2005) and most lately EP "No Way Back" (2007). A full length album is planned to be recorded in August-September 2007, it was released in Finland in early autumn 2008 carrying name the "N".

In October of 2005, drummer Toni Hallio left the band, leaving guitarist/vocalist Lindroos as the only remaining original member. Hallio was replaced by Heikki Saari, drummer of Virtuocity.

Petri Lindroos left the band in 2009 because his other band Ensiferum took most of his time. Aleksi Sihvonen was hired as the new singer and Daniel Freyberg as the second guitarist. Norther entered Astia studios on October 5, 2010 to record a new album, ''Circle Regenerated'' which was released April 19 2011.

On 24th of July 2012 the band announced on their website that the members have decided to quit Norther because of time issues. The band played its last show on the 10th of August at Brutal Assault Festival 2012 in the Czech Republic.

Current members
* Aleksi Sihvonen - Vocals (2009-2012)
* Kristian Ranta (Kride) - Guitar and clean vocals (2000-2012)
* Heikki Saari - Drums (2005-2012)
* Jukka Koskinen - Bass (2000-2012)
* Tuomas Planman - Keyboards and Synthesizers (2000-2012)
* Daniel Freyberg - Guitar (Tours-2009-2012)

Former members
* Petri Lindroos - Guitar and Vocals (1995-2009)
* Toni Hallio - Drums (1995-2005)
* Tuomas - Bass (1995-1997)
* Roni Korpas - Guitar (1995-1999)
* Sebastian Knight - Keyboard (2000)
* Joakim Ekroos - Bass (2000)

Former official website: http://web.archive.org/web/20120929054100/http://www.norther.net

2) NORTER is a fast paced, energetic, romantic Indie Rock band from Prince Edward Island. They gather inspiration anywhere from the 2010's Indie Rock scene from artists such as Mac DeMarco, Rex Orange County, The Strokes, and The Arctic Monkeys. Their members include Declan Rockwell, James Gray, Keith MacEwen, Garrett Sherwood, and Patrick Stephen. They have recently released their debut record '12:34'
Their official Bandcamp website: https://norter.bandcamp.com/

Tell Me Why
Norther Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Your eyes they say things that are not real
Your wicked smile implies but who can believe
Your words just seem to be too much to take
Your mind relies on the fact that I just might brake

Who do you think you are?
What do you think you can accomplish?

Babe come on, you ain't real
Tell my why to try, just tell my why?
Babe come on, you ain't real
Tell my why, tell my why to believe your lies?

Why to believe your lies?
Argh, come on

Babe come on, you ain't real
Tell my why to try, just tell my why?
Babe come on, you ain't real

Tell my why, tell my why to believe your lies?
Tell me why to believe your lies?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of the song "Tell Me Why" by Norther describe a person who is manipulative and deceitful. The first verse talks about how the person's eyes and smile are misleading, and their words are overwhelming. The singer realizes that the person is trying to break them mentally, and questions their identity and intentions.

In the chorus, the singer calls out the person's lies and asks why they should believe them. Despite the plea, the singer cannot seem to escape the web of lies and is frustrated. The song ends with the singer still searching for answers and wondering why they ever trusted this deceitful individual.

The lyrics of "Tell Me Why" highlight the theme of betrayal and disappointment. It sheds light on the danger of not being able to see through someone's facade and falling into their trap. The chorus is particularly powerful, as it asks the person to explain why they should believe their lies.

Line by Line Meaning

Your eyes they say things that are not real
Your eyes express false emotions and thoughts

Your wicked smile implies but who can believe
You smile deviously but no one can trust you

Your words just seem to be too much to take
Your words are overwhelming and hard to accept

Your mind relies on the fact that I just might brake
You expect me to break down and give in to your deceitful ways

Who do you think you are?
Who do you believe yourself to be?

What do you think you can accomplish?
What do you think you're capable of achieving?

Babe come on, you ain't real
You're not genuine, my dear

Tell my why to try, just tell my why?
Explain to me why I should bother trying

Tell my why, tell my why to believe your lies?
Justify why I should trust your deceitful words

Why to believe your lies?
What reason do I have to believe your falsehoods?

Argh, come on
Expression of frustration and disbelief

Tell me why to believe your lies?
Request for a valid explanation to trust your dishonesty

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: KRISTIAN RANTA

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Barbara Rodgers

3y↑2

I get laughed at for saying wad'er instead of water.
My sister says yella instead of yellow, windy instead of window.
I had a scottish/english ex who would go balistic if i said i was scundered (embarrassed).
We say boggin' for dirty
Eg. I fell in the mud and i was boggin.
Or
Meltin' (annoying )
Eg. She's meltin' my head
Melter' ( someone annoying)
Eg. She's a melter

I'm not as green as I'm cabbage looking
( i'm no fool)

All comments from YouTube:

Al's Action English

6y↑18

✔️️ WATCH NEXT ✔️
Northern Irish Accent Coaching | #1 /aʊ/ Diphthong

https://youtu.be/Td6J0LxSBhI

Paul Payton

@Simplicity 🌜🌻🌼🌸🌺💐 ASMR I love ya all

Simplicity 🌜🌻🌼🌸🌺💐 ASMR

2y↑1

@Paul Payton 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Paul Payton

I still find it funny when my in-laws say do you want a wee poke meaning icecream haha 😄 god love ya all

MORRIS

3y↑1

I need not subtitles of understanding your Northern Irish accent though. ’coz Ye ken whaurt Ah’m fer. Matey😂

3 More Replies...

Freyam136

4y↑24

I find this fascinating because my dads from NI, but my Mother is from the republic and I live in the south with her, but all of my dads side of the family live in Antrim so it’s interesting and funny when we go up to visit them to hear their accents and how different ours are! My grandmother has a very strong one haha. My friends get me to imitate the accent sometimes too😂 I’m not amazing but I’ve picked up on a lot of their pronunciation and how they say things and all my friends down south are obsessed with the northern Irish accent -they love it!

Al's Action English

4y↑1

What do you find are the main differences either side of the border? What about the similarities?

Sarah Kidder

5y↑78

I adore the Northern Irish accent. My grandparents who I lived with were from Belfast. I am extremely proud of my Northern Irish background. Even though I was born and raised in Canada, it is a huge part of my identity.
I can pick the accent out anywhere - I can tell when someone is from Belfast specifically vs. from somewhere else in N.I.
I’ve been working on my accent but it’s a tough one to emulate. Great videos - thanks for sharing!

Christina McCormick

My parents, and the rest of my family, are from and live in Belfast, respectively. I was born and raised in Canada too, but Norn Iron is a big part of my identity. When you grow up listening to a Belfast accent it's easy to spot 🥰 I've tried to emulate it to sound like my family, but I can't 🙈🤣

Al's Action English

@GRIMSBONIAN13 Why?

GRIMSBONIAN13

4y↑1

@Al's Action English say Belfast lengthening the Fast

GRIMSBONIAN13

4y↑1

My Granny was from Belfast.

Just Me

4y↑1

I had a Belfast accent, even though I’m from Newtownabbey, it’s definitely more broad than anywhere else

2 More Replies...

Trish Bresolin

2y↑6

My grandmother was from Belfast. She's been gone a long time so it's a treat to hear you speak.

Vanja SP

3y↑9

Ever since I visited Belfast a couple of years ago, I have been obsessed with the NI accent! What a great place and amazing people. Thank you for this video, brought back great memories. <3

Vincent McNabb

3y↑4

The words that really show the distinctive Ulster accent are 'eight, date, great, gate, mate, wait, etc. Also the heavy vowel sounds in 'how, now, brown, cow'. The lilt is also very distinctive with a tendency to 'uptalk'. As most frequently seen with the Scots, many speakers often swap the past participle for the past simple in the common vernacular, e.g. 'I saw' becomes 'I seen' with frequent use of "have went' instead of 'have gone'.

Kenneth Gibson

4y↑6

I love that we use the term baltic to mean cold, it's like the use of a regional stereotype that is totally fair and not really meant to be derogatory, just an accurate description, no one from a baltic country is going to argue with that.

Al's Action English

4y↑1

Having lived in one such country for three years I can vouch for it!

Humanfactor

2y↑14

To my ear (when I was working and living in Belfast many years ago), when the locals spoke, it always sounded like they were asking a question (even when they weren't). It seemed there would be an upward inflection at the end of any statement. I always found that interesting. :)

Rosa McDonald

Oh yeah, it's definitely true. I used to joke that it was why my phone calls always lasted so long, it's really hard to finish a call when every statement sounds like a question 😀

C H

3y↑7

My grandpa and his family are from NI, he moved South Africa but never lost his accent. My mom and I grew up in SA and I realised that he is probably the reason why I say about 14 of these words/phrases naturally

lol

4y↑4

Haha, I love this! I’m from England but my ex boyfriend was from Norn Iron. It reminded me of all the times I went to Belfast. It’s a lovely city and I love the accents there. Such nostalgia in watching this. Thanks for the great video :)

Al's Action English

You're welcome! There's an entire series of (now) over 30 videos if you're into nostalgia. Where were you in Belfast?

Caitlin McCann

3y↑5

I love how most of us are just watching our own accent and sayings and we can definitely already speak English 🤣

n0t._ka!_bf

Pffft yep

Joe Buck

3y↑4

Absolutely fascinating!!! First time ever hearing the NI accent. Hope to visit Belfast one day and find out where my great grandmother was coming from... Cheers from Montreal 🇨🇦 Thank you for the video!

Autumn Kinsey

4y↑11

I've traveled to NI on 6 different occasions - mostly Belfast, but also the northern coast, Portaferry/Downpatrick and then to Derry this last summer. So many different accents and sayings from every area! I find Belfast accents the easiest to understand. When I watch Derry Girls, I have to have subtitles on! The word I learned on that show is "wains." I'd never heard that in reference to children before. I'm from Texas, but feel like Northern Ireland is my home away from home ❤

Paul Cumming

I’m from Scotland but moved to Northern Ireland when I was ten. Loads of the same word in both countries. Just different slang, same meanings. Now in south Philly so on my third wee adventure wi accent 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🤬🤡

John G

It's actually wee'uns but Derry wans are illiterate. :)

Rio F.

4y↑1

Btw it’s “Wee-Uns”

pat arnold

@Al's Action English No, I'm American. I understand Dubliners just fine!

Al's Action English

@pat arnold You mustn't be from Norn Iron?

2 More Replies...

Paul Payton

2y↑6

Love the Northern Irish accent I lived in Northern Ireland for 10 years, grand 😀 all the best Paul p England 🇬🇧

n0t._ka!_bf

3y↑3

Yes this is very true I'm northern Irish and am very proud of my country I personally call myself northern Irish 😀 😄

Aodhán MacCuinneagain

3y↑7

I was born in Belfast and moved to the states when I was 15, i'm 22 now, and even to this day people still comment on my accent and how it doesn't sound like an Irish accent you may hear in a film or tv.

Mabelle House

4y↑1

This was so interesting! I love learning new dialects 🥰 I’m from the South East of England so my accent and dialect is pretty boring!

Mabelle House

4y↑1

Al's Action English I guess because my accent is fairly neutral. I’d describe it as a sort of contemporary RP though not nearly as posh at the Queen!!

Al's Action English

4y↑1

I'm pleased to hear this - new dialects are superb. What makes you think your accent / dialect is pretty boring? Many would no doubt disagree...

Between The Pages

2y↑2

I come from Germany and here, too, there are many accents or dialects, even if the schools try to teach and speak "Hochdeutsch=Accent Free German". Where I live, most people speak a Berlin accent, which does not belong to the North German dialect or accent.. There are up to 20 dialects here in Germany, so german is not always german. Every language has its facets.
For me, english is sometimes difficult to understand or to translate because there are other idioms or, as you have often said in the videos, many different types of slang. In all languages there are words they can have two or more completely different meanings depending on how you stress it or what context it is in. An example comes to mind when I think of the words "turkey", "Race" or "polish".
When it comes to pronunciation, I still have my problems with the words: through, though and squirrel. Struggle is real.

Paul Weir

3y↑5

If one does something correctly the outcome will be perfect, here is a Norn Irish phrase which says that in a weird way; I remember it being used by snooker players:
' If I had've hit it right it would have went '.

Jes Brimer

4y↑2

Hi, I've been watching your videos on how to speak with a northern Irish accent to help write a character born in Northern Ireland. All your videos have been really helpful and I enjoy listening, but I was curious if you have any tips how to write the accent because I want to show verses telling. For example in my writing, "...she said in her Irish accent." Again thanks. Your videos are great!

Al's Action English

4y↑2

All the best with this endeavour! The best way to understand the Northern Irish is to come and observe them in their natural environment. It's hard to explain behaviours in the comments section of YouTube 😂

Jes Brimer

4y↑1

No, I'm not an author but I'm trying to be. :) I think tips on phrases or even behavior would help me as a writer. Like for example I live in south in North America. Here it's not uncommon for people (esp older age) to pat someone on the shoulder or be huggers. So I guess a combination of behavior and phrases. I have a notebook I jot notes from your videos. Thanks you again!

Al's Action English

Hi, are you an author then?

What exactly do you mean? How to spell/write certain NI words and phrases? Or how to report what was said?

Holly Jones

4y↑5

I’m from the South US and we use faff and grand! I find this so fascinating. Thanks Al, your accent is gorgeous!

Butch Reed

his accent is fake, mines real!

Al's Action English

4y↑1

@Heinrich Himmler 100% the same grand, it's island wide as far as I know.

Al's Action English

Seriously!? I thought these were exclusive to NI...

Tumi Jasmin

5y↑152

I’m from Northern Ireland but I have a “posh” accent and it’s acc so funny watching this

I L

3y↑1

@Al's Action English a grammar school accent 😆

Random Playlists

3y↑1

Everyone always asks me if im british 😭 no g im from here too

Paul Weir

3y↑2

@G L McKee I think that the people who affect a different accent, having been away, have an inferiority complex when it comes to being born in N. Ireland. I don't suffer from that, over 30 years away from the shores of Belfast Lough and I still sound the same.

StraightSlavicFlavour

4y↑2

@T D my daughter is watching Al's videos since she is ( we are ) bi lingual, not only she watches it also is reading the comments to have a better understanding or determination of the language/culture etc. and then she come a cross a comment like yours? You serious? Wise up

13 More Replies...

Suhail Anwaar Ahmad Shafiai

5y↑187

I heard 'wee' everywhere. Wee man, wee look, wee bag, just a wee about myself.

Remarc Saceda

Yes the wee word! ❤❤❤

Boucwol

Yep here in ni we say wee so much

Absinthe promotions

We say 'wee' in Yorkshire too 🙂

Moggers

Yeah I have actually said the phrase ‘och it’s a wee big dog’ so it can be size related but uhhh definitely not always haha

Paul Weir

Watching a rerun of The Big Bang Theory tonight the synthesized voice of Maggie McGarry, Sheldon's imaginary Irish barkeep, used the phrase " Leave a message after the wee little beep ".

15 More Replies...

Paul Weir

4y↑2

Back home a four wheeler made out of old bits of wood and pram wheels was known as a ' guider ', remember? The back wheels were larger and the front were on a central pivot which had the steering rope attached; the driver sat on the main frame and placed one foot either side of the pivot to help control the steering.
The American soap box cart is a much more upmarket version but we had some fun on our rudimentary vehicles.
I'll bet that kids nowadays would be too embarrassed to be seen on one. Happy days.

Irish Sean

3y↑1

Great videos, I'm originally from Crumlin but have been living in Rochdale this past ten years!

I'm literally drained having to repeat myself 2/3 daily with regards to my accent!

If I'm out in public and say something, everyone will stare at me as if I've got ten heads......and that's before I produce Ulster Bank notes to pay for something - a complete nightmare Alastair! 😓

RMH Jules

4y↑15

I LOVE Northern Ireland and the accent is lovely! He’s beautiful too

Ayisha Amani Media

hes cute

Frank Bray

3y↑1

Even before he started into the 20 words I had to listen very carefully to understand everything he is saying. Canadian here from southern Ontario.

Angelo Angelo

4y↑3

Thanks for this lesson. I would like to learn more.

Al's Action English

4y↑1

What would you like to learn more about?

Megan Borland

4y↑2

I'm from Northern Ireland and my cousin found a large list of words that we say that other places in the UK don't. I didn't realise we were the only ones that have Veda bread despite the fact we have to stock our cupboards with it every time my uncle comes over from Scotland

Paul Weir

@Megan Borland I live in England, so hopefully I'll never see one again.

Megan Borland

4y↑1

@Paul Weir You should try it toasted

Paul Weir

Veda! I couldn't eat the crusts, horrible sticky stuff.

Al's Action English

Same in this family - Veda must regularly be transported in visits to England. I wonder what airport security would make of it!

Bill Gregg

4y↑5

I’ve been away from Belfast 45 years or so.
I’ve maintained my accent but last year in Belfast I was identified as Canadian for the first time ever.
I suppose over the years my accent now has a Canadian twang.

UUW

@Bill Gregg Was born in canada but both my parents are from Northern ireland and i also moved back here when i was 8, im 18 now and still have my canadian accent, super weird lol

Bill Gregg

@Al's Action English sorry for the tardy reply .

To be honest the more often I visit the more I realize I have become Canadian and feel like a tourist.
All be it one with a sort of native accent.

shamrock4500

My Granddad was from Belfast, we never realized he had an accent, until years later when people starting asking us where we were from, it confused us, but we had adopted his accent, and never noticed, we were born and raised Canadian.

Al's Action English

How did that feel being identified as a non-native?

a. demifemiflapo

2y↑2

I love the Northern Irish accent 😂❤❤ Liam Neeson, Inspector Campbell 😂(Sam Neill has Northern Irish ancestry)

Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis

2y↑1

as someone who lives in the south of the United states the Northern Irish accent is very similar to my own

Karrina Johnston

4y↑4

im from Belfast and it's so funny to have someone point out how things are actually ment to be pronounced

Al's Action English

4y↑1

Yeh, the Queens English - RP seems to be the way some/people think we're 'meant' to communicate...

Karrina Johnston

4y↑2

@Al's Action English true... funny how words are pronounced by others in comparison to ours is what i meant (ment) lol

Al's Action English

4y↑3

How things are 'meant' to be pronounced is a matter of opinion. There's no correct way to speak - providing communication takes place then that's the most important thing.

What do you reckon?

Ben Amini

5y↑5

I love Belfast Accent. I like how they finished the sentences, to me it seems some Mexicans do the same too. English is not my native language so probably I don't know what I'm talking about.

Al's Action English

5y↑1

@Ben Amini Agreed! Seeing if you could do a better job than this end.

Ben Amini

5y↑3

@Al's Action English That tone in the end of most sentences. It's difficult to describe.

Al's Action English

5y↑2

Thanks for your insight. How would you describe the Belfast Accent as finishing sentences?

Juan Fernando Carabali Carvajal

4y↑3

I love your accent, it is wonderful.....But which I cannot understand is the R pronunciation, many teachers say to us, the R is not pronounced. But I love your English teaching manner

Paul Weir

4y↑2

Teachers will say this because they use Received Pronunciation which is nothing more than a mode of speech which makes the users think they are superior; rather than talking in a ridiculous manner.

Al's Action English

4y↑2

Yes, we call this the 'rhotic' R. We always pronounce in Northern Ireland, some of my other videos in the series explain this and give examples.

LD

5y↑13

Half of these feed into Scottish and Welsh english, for some reason loads of these phrases have found themselves in the Scouse accent/vocabulary of which I am a native speaker.

Lew Byrne

Lots of Irish immigrants moved to Liverpool. My ancestors included

Paul Weir

@LD Meaning?

LD

@Paul Weir defo a wool u

Paul Weir

@LD I didn't say it was an Irish colony, no need to get humpy.

LD

4y↑1

@Paul Weir yes my whole family are of immigrants from there. But Liverpool is a bit more than an Irish colony thank you very much

9 More Replies...

Silvia Sánchez

4y↑6

Dander was one of the words that took me longer to realise what it was about.
Baltic is also used in Glasgow.

Silvia Sánchez

3y↑1

@George Job Ye, it became clearer as I got used to it :-)

Silvia Sánchez

3y↑1

@Al's Action English Aye!

George Job

3y↑1

Huv ye goat a hawd o it ! 👍

Al's Action English

4y↑1

Have you grasped it now?

Alex McKenzie

3y↑3

That was grand! Thank you. I'll use it with my Russian student.

Thomas Vertommen

4y↑2

Ah Belfast... spent a lovely semester there at St. Mary's. Living on Broadway and Cavendish streets near the Falls Road.
Something that struck me as a beautiful piece of Norn Iron dark humour was this joke from a lad in the pub:

It involves two men sitting in a bar, one's from Belfast, and the other's a tourist from some country in Europe, doesn't matter which one. (It was an pretty topical joke I suppose)
Belfast man: "Are you a protestant or a catholic?"
Tourist: "I'm an atheist actually"
Belfast man: "Aye sure, but are you a protestant atheist or a catholic atheist?"

Andrew Wilson

3y↑1

Is this actually a joke? I know protestant atheists and catholic atheists.

Al's Action English

4y↑1

A classic joke! Interesting how you've called this dark humour, this is just an accurate representation of Northern Ireland during that particular time...

Joes Ra

3y↑2

The examples you give are so original & funny xD I love them.

Paul Weir

3y↑1

Many moons ago there was this: What is the difference between mediaeval Spain and Belfast?
Answer: In mediaeval Spain you had the Moors coming down from the hills, but in Belfast you had the ....
I think you can work out the rest.

Paul Weir

3y↑1

Re snooker: when the object ball is struck against a side cushion then pocketed on the opposite side commentators call this shot a 'double', but in N. Ireland we always called it a 'cross'. If the ball travelled twice then it was a 'double cross'.

MacBlackadder93

3y↑2

When I was in Portadown in which it's a half an hour drive from Belfast, there was a shop with a sign saying Norn Iron.

Yol Brennan

5y↑10

love Belfast ppl, they are the most hospitable friendly ppl in the world. I travelled 50 countries, not a single country can compete.

Paul Weir

@T D Another thing, my ancestors were Normans who came to England after the Conquest, what is your lineage? Watch out if you investigate, you might find someone from the Emerald Isle.

Al's Action English

4y↑1

@T D Many people it appears. Why the dislike?

John Lavery

4y↑2

Thank you .please do come back.

4 More Replies...

rebecca lane

3y↑1

but let me ask this! when you say “i am proud of my country” do you mean ireland or the uk? haha

Nicole Gibson

4y↑2

😂 I’m from cookstown + I’m literally tittering away at our accent 😂 like you I’m also proud of my country + where I’m from!

Al's Action English

"How to do a Cookstown Accent"

jonny watton

4y↑3

You say gob, we say gub. Lol I always thought the Lisburn accent was kinda posh. Even in Belfast itself there can be a difference in accent from quite harsh to a kinda posher accent.

Al's Action English

4y↑1

Absolutely, many people on the same street even have completely differing accents!

3D

3y↑1

love your work bud-dont just do cliches-put it into regular context

Al's Action English

Sure, thanks for the tip.

Li Lisa

2y↑1

I have been Derry one year. The accent still so hard for me. 🤣🤣🤣🤣 i need learn English from beginning again.

Paul Weir

3y↑1

According to Wikipedia Steve Brennan, the retired pro darts player, was born in Derry, but was English, however he was eligible to play for Northern Ireland because his father Pat was born in Derry !

Rebecca White

5y↑5

A lot of these are common in Australia also

Al's Action English

5y↑3

Really?

Paul Weir

3y↑2

Bloodlands Series1: Episode 1. A character uses the term " earywigged " but the subtitles couldn't cope with our variation and came up with merely wigged. Some subtitle errors are funny but not so much so for people who depend upon them.

Jo songs

Also, please don't stop or end your site. I studied at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, and you way of presenting this material is professional, clear, and 'spot on grand'
Always,
Jo

mcgoodle

3y↑4

"Banjax" is one of the best words I've ever heard. Here in the deep South of the U.S. the equivalent would be "toe up", as in "this here computer is toe up." (torn up, i.e. broken).

Chiaroscuro22

3y↑1

In Australia we use the word “cactus”.
“I heard your computer shat itself.”
“Yeah mate, it’s totally cactus.”

Tom McCrory

A lot of immigrants arrived in the southern states in the late 19th. Century. I am sure some Irish slang words exist there , even today. By the way. Gob is Irish Gaelic for mouth.

Tierney Smith

4y↑1

I have to learn a northern Irish accent but my family is from the republic so it’s proving difficult but these videos are helping so thank you :)

Tierney Smith

Al's Action English I didn’t realise there was a full playlist I’ve only watched about five videos🤦🏻‍♀️ it’s things like “it was a terrible wet day”. I’ll watch the other videos now, thank you

Al's Action English

@Tierney Smith Do you have some examples in particular?
Somewhere in this playlist 'all' the features of the Northern Irish accent should be covered in detail.

Tierney Smith

4y↑1

Al's Action English the piece of text I need to learn doesn’t have many of the sounds or words I’ve learnt from this channel in it so I’m still struggling to work out how to do it in the accent

Al's Action English

Why is it proving difficult?

Paul Weir

3y↑3

Day and daily: heard this on Newsline recently, for the first time in yonks. Usually spoken as day'n'daily it means, obviously, happening every day - but not in a good way, eg, ' I hear that dog barking day'n'daily '.

Shanie G

4y↑5

Being mixed and having half of the Irish bloodline its so amazing to learn things about ME😁. I just love it. Thanks

Al's Action English

4y↑1

Anytime! What about the other half?

Terance Healy

3y↑1

Omg... I’ve been trying to find a reference to the word FOOTER for years. I’ve used it all my life. Only found a reference to its use on Derry Girls but couldn’t find spelling. Footer, footering, and footery bits - all make sense until someone asks and you try to explain the word. Lol.
Try to order those small loaves of bread without an accent and you only get strange looks. Bap.

Paul Weir

4y↑3

What about slider? Is it still used for an ice cream wafer? I believe in Britain it is used as a term for a small burger in a soft roll , but I can't say that I have ever heard it used as such.
Wick: describes something useless or crap.
Never heard baltic used in Co.Down or anywhere else.

Jo songs

Grand work thank you for doing what you do you make such a difference always and sincerely Jo

Paul Weir

4y↑9

Do N. Irish people still use oxter as a term for the armpit? If someone had imbibed too much alcohol and needed assistance in walking, then a friend on either side would support him by linking his arms; this was known as ' oxter cogging '.

Toto Lam

4y↑24

Can u talk about some northern irish culture, like the lifestyle of people, culture etc

Keek Star

Yes , I could.....were still shite'n in buckets

Paul Weir

4y↑2

@T D I think you may need help, consult your GP.

Paul Weir

4y↑2

@T D And on what pray do you base your sweeping statement? Speaking for myself; I have memory second to none, can work out days of the week with their dates, going back hundreds of years, in seconds and can defeat teams on University Challenge; and that's before I start bumming myself up.

4 More Replies...

g0lden_mythz

2y↑2

Coming from Northern Ireland this is so true

MollyAnn Smyth

3y↑1

My family is all from Belfast but I grew up in England. I use a lot of Irish expressions, like "here dear" I often get asked what it means and I don't know how to translate it.

MollyAnn Smyth

@Paul Weir thanks for your reply.
My aunts (dads sisters) use it all the time, so I know its used in general conversation. They use it in a way surprise or disbelief. For example, " and hear dear she ran off with the milkman! "

Paul Weir

Ms Smyth, I have only ever heard the expression "here dear" used by gay people of the non masculine type, if that isn't offensive, eg, ' Here dear, have you seen the state of her, make you boke '.

Paul Weir

3y↑3

On Bullseye last night one of the prizes was an electric racing car game: this reminded me that Scalextric in Northern Ireland was pronounced Scalectrix by all my contemporaries, but not by me of course!

Lecham Faster

2y↑1

Excellent, needs more the Northern ireland accent, miss words sometimes

GRIMSBONIAN13

4y↑3

I just realized why I am a terrible speller. My Granny was from Belfast. My mom used to say this is how they pronounce this in Belfast. I would spell words as I heard them.

Mylie Doherty

2y↑1

My family (Derry/Belfast) says, "I'm from the North of Ireland".

Orla Curran

4y↑36

I’m from NI but I was wondering What about “ats us nai”

Jude

4y↑5

Orla Curran#OC that’s us now

Barbara Rodgers

3y↑2

Paul Weir

4y↑1

Something which came to mind after an unproductive phone enquiry;this has probably died out but I still use it when exasperated.
In NI if the person with whom you were conversing showed a lack of knowledge, while professing to know what he was talking about, there was an expression to show what you felt, and this was;
' You know as much about it as my arse knows about snipe shooting '. Anyone?

Paul Weir

3y↑1

Re Killinchy muffler, this term was never used in an aggressive tone but in a jovial way by my old friend.

Snakes balls

4y↑7

Also Irish but live in Australia my wife loves it when I Say no one Understands 🤣

Snakes balls

4y↑1

She is from the Philippines

Al's Action English

4y↑1

Is she an Aussie then?

deepdiver79

4y↑2

I'm from Texas and I've been all over Europe, including Ireland, and I never understood why Europeans call cigarettes "Fegs", would someone please explain that one to me? Because honestly, I'm lost when it comes to that one.

deepdiver79

4y↑2

@Al's Action English very interesting explanation. That would make sense. I hope my asking didn't cause some unintended debate. I was merely trying to comprehend the origins of the slang use for cigarette. Etymology is something that fascinates me and I wanted first hand primary source knowledge versus a book. But very interesting. Thanks for taking the time to explain that.

deepdiver79

4y↑1

@john smith sorry buddy, although I'm from the US, I never understood that one either. So, I'm afraid you hit a dry well.

john smith

i'm from uk i've been to ireland scotland and europe and i never understood why americans call gays "fags", would someone please explain that one to me ? because honestly i'm lost when it comes to that one

Al's Action English

Great question, "feg" is the NI pronunciation of "fag" and here might be your best bet for a satisfactory response:

https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/290786/origin-of-fag-meaning-a-cigarette-in-british-english

1 More Replies...

Ganky Gerry

4y↑10

Im from the more agri part of the country and i struggle to understand my own da at times, heard him insult my mate the other day by saying "For all the price of a cabbage"

Paul Weir

4y↑1

I speak with rounded vowels and enunciate my words but you should certainly know my provenance, however many people in England take me for Scottish; a chap from Dundee recently thought so too.

Al's Action English

4y↑1

Their ignorance is to be pardoned. Such comments on this wee channel are to educate and enlighten those not privy to the delights of Our Wee Country.

Talal S

4y↑5

I am not from Ireland but used to study in it. So i came here to listen and keep the connection between me and the years I have lived in Dublin

michael Campbell

What has Dublim got to do with N Ireland accent?
I am confused!!!

Paul Weir

3y↑1

Dublin, which isn't in Northern Ireland.

Al's Action English

4y↑1

Welcome! Great to have you on board, where are you from?

Paul Weir

4y↑1

In the USA they are known as pinball machines, on this side of the pond, pin tables, but I, and my hometown contemporaries, called them ' flippers ', after the arms which directed the ball.

Al's Action English

Flipper is also used in Slovenian as I discovered in that false friends offering.

blackcitroenlove

2y↑1

My mother's from Cork in the ROI and says banjaxed all the time lol....either it's all-island or travelled a bit!

Ilaria Muraglia

2y↑1

I'm italian but I'm also half Northern Irish, I visit my family there every year, unfortunatly I haven't got a Northen Irish accent :(

Paul Weir

4y↑1

Twice today Emma Vardy, the BBC's Ireland correspondent, gave updates on restrictions from Stormaunt, as she pronounced it. Having said that, how many from Belfast call it Stormount?

Lauren Evenden

4y↑1

I know this video is now a year old, but I was wondering if some people from Belfast could give me examples of surnames that are common there? And if not Belfast in particular than any northern irish surnames that people are fond of. I’m planning on writing a book in which my main character is descended from immigrants from Belfast and I want to give him a surname that’s less well-known.

Al's Action English

Hi, I recommend finding @Paul Weir in the comments section and addressing your query to him. He is a fount of knowledge on such matters.

Lisa Pope

2y↑1

Is there much of a difference in accents just over the other side of the border? Trying to find out for a friend who has relatives from Armagh and Monaghan coming over to Scotland to settle and the surname has several different spellings which I think must have been due to the accent - does Moan sound like Moon more in a Northern Irish or republic Irish accent? This was in the mid to late 1800's so the accent may have been slightly different then?

Ur ma

3y↑1

I’m from ulster, Irish family, classify Irish, have an Irish passport (just wanted to say)

Waekekm Dnejej

5y↑12

I never realised how fast we talk.

Paul Weir

@gavin parks I have never heard the expression " ca' the craic " in N. Ireland. Re footering: while this means messing around in Scotland it originates in Ireland with the meaning " fidgety, awkward behaviour ", derived from the Irish fútar.

gavin parks

4y↑1

@Al's Action English We talk fast in Ayrshire too! And say " footering " with things - though it has rude origins. Do you say " ca' the craic " in N Ireland - it means make conversation ?

Al's Action English

5y↑2

We do indeed, to be sure.

Matthias Cerebri

4y↑2

Another question: Do ou in NOrthern Ireland have the right to decide which passport you receive?

Al's Action English

4y↑2

Yes, at present (who knows with Brexit), if you're a Northern Irish citizen you are entitled to a British or an Irish passport (or both) (:

Matthias Cerebri

4y↑1

@Snakes balls And which factors decide this?

Snakes balls

4y↑1

Matthias Cerebri
In some cases yes you can have two passports but need proof of certain things that tie you to that part of the country...

Paul Weir

4y↑1

Kinnegar. This is a word which I have only heard in N. Ireland and seems to come from coinicear, Anglo- Norman name for a rabbit warren. The Kinnegars I know are in Holywood and Bangor, the latter one being the part of Queen's Parade which runs from the foot of Gray's Hill towards what is now the Fun Park.
You can see where coney, the old name for a rabbit, is derived; I daresay Coney Island had warrens.

divedeepinside

3y↑1

Watching line of duty 6th season ( from Subotica Serbia ) and the actress accent I love so much , she played the wife of the guy who took the money in No Country for Old Men

K R

3y↑1

Aye Aye is a US Navy response, also. It is the answer to an order that tells the order giver (superior officer) that you understand and will act promptly. At least, that was how it was presented to me.

Paul Weir

4y↑1

The thorny, evergreen shrubs of the genus Ulex are well known to all; in England I have always heard them called gorse but in N. Ireland furze is used, and less commonly whin. I wonder why?

Sat Sal

2y↑1

“ I’ve got a sore gob from the fight last night “ typical Irish ☘️ 😁😁😁😁👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

計画通り

2y↑1

I got a question
What does "wee" mean? Does it mean "little" or something like that?

Paul Weir

3y↑1

I watch the repeats of old Bullseye on Challenge to pick up on some of the howlers from the question compilers and Jim Bowen, what follows is unbelievable:
Q. Where in Great Britain can you visit the rock formation called the Giant's Causeway?
A. Ireland.
Bowen: Yeah, what part of Ireland?
Contestant: Northern Ireland.
Bowen: Right.

Al's Action English

Wrong on so many levels. I feel embarrassed reading this, and can't imagine how it must have been listening!

Ajay Empee

3y↑1

Good man yourself. Crackin' video, I use every word myself (except bake and beezer) ☮️

Sallou Russell

3y↑1

As a fellow belfast native I could see you police, change and alter your accent in this video as you went. I dont know why it was frustrating, but it was.

Leah

4y↑5

Ngl I didn’t know that some of these words were ones that only we say 😂

Al's Action English

They probably are found additionally in other areas too.

Paul Weir

4y↑4

Suhail says that he heard wee everywhere. In the Miracles' hit I don't blame you at all , there is the phrase
"" was just a wee drop of rain "" : I wonder how Smokey thought of that ?

Al's Action English

We all may wonder...

Paul Weir

3y↑1

Many N. Irish people pronounce full to rime with gull, and as full can be used to mean being drunk then so does Jethro, as in riming slang Jethro Tull.