Have you ever wondered what people who lived where you do used to sound like?
If you’ve ever wondered why you, your friends or family use particular words or uphold certain traditions, take a trip via our Sound Map to find out more from our regional spotlights.
Click the markers to listen and view more
The Leeds Archive of Vernacular Culture (LAVC) contains the archives of the Survey of English Dialects (SED) that ran from the 1950s to early 1960s, and the University of Leeds’s Institute of Dialect and Folk Life Studies (IDFLS) that operated 1964-1983. Together they represent a record of dialect, culture, beliefs and ways of life in rural England from the late 19th-20th centuries.
Find out more
The Survey of English Dialects was a survey of people from more than 300 different towns and villages, undertaken by researchers from the University of Leeds during the 1950s and 60s. It intended to make a permanent record of English dialects as they were spoken at the time.
Find out more
Keep up to date with our latest news and upcoming events.
By providing your email address, you are agreeing to receive email communications from us. You can request to stop receiving emails from us at any time using the button below.
Please note that while we endeavour to update your record as soon as possible, it may take up to 15 working days for your details to be updated.
For details on how we use your data, please see our privacy notice.
