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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Pam_m" data-source="post: 1384804" data-attributes="member: 18672">My book 'A Romany in the Country' finally arrived on Friday last! The inside cover has the name of the original owner, a lady, who was presented with the book in 1939 for regular attendance to a Methodist Sunday School. More interestingly placed neatly inside the back cover is a newspaper page dated 22nd November 1943. The reason being an article in the paper announcing the death of Romany the previous day. Romany was a Methodist Minister hence the presentation of the book to the aforementioned lady no doubt! The reverse side of the page contains many reports of the Second World War. So an interesting bonus in my new book.I started to read the book last night (Saturday) and read 3 chapters. I am having to take my time as the dialect in parts need deciphering by me! Romany speaks of his love for the great outdoors and the first 2 sentences of the Introduction will give you an insight of the book contents.'I do not remember the time when I did not take a keen interest in all wild life. A grass field, a hedge with a linnet swaying on a branch of a wild rose has always meant heart's delight to me'Chapter 2 and Romany is on a walk in a wood with Raq his faithful dog. Along the way they meet a friend, Jerry (a poacher) who walk's through the wood with Romany, chatting as they walk. They come across a hare and Jerry explains to Romany about the hare's ears that are pressed back. He say's " If you want to spend an interesting day some time keep your eyes open fer all the different kinds o' ears ye come across. Animals as is 'unted can turn 'em backards or forrards or sideways.Them 'as 'unts,'as their ears allus pointing forrards."This is just a sample of the book and as the dialect is unfamiliar to me, I will take my time to digest it all! I am enjoying 'getting me head around it' though! If I can understand the best part of 'Black Country' dialect I shouldn't have too much of a problem, quite similiar in some respect. If you remember this thread was started by a conversation with a stranger whilst out on a walk. I hope I meet the gentleman again someday so that I can tell him what our conversation led to. The saying is so true 'It's good to talk'! You never know what you may learn!</blockquote>

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