Loose Change

PROTEST by Paul Laurence Dunbar

After yesterday's post about dialect in dialogue, "Dialogue tip 2 - Plant the character" , I wanted to post this here as an interesting example of fairly heavy dialect that manages to be fairly easily understood. This is a poem by a well known African American poet, author and playwright who wrote in both "standard" English and a Negro dialect of the time. Even though this works, I strongly urge you not to use this heavy a dialect when writing for others, especially if it is not your own. But enjoy the poem.

PROTEST by Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872-1906)

Who say my hea't ain't true to you?
Dey bettah heish dey mouf.
I knows I loves you thoo an' thoo
In watah time er drouf.
I wush dese people 'd stop dey talkin',
Don't mean no mo' dan chicken's squawkin':
I guess I knows which way I's walkin',
I knows de norf f'om souf.
I does not love Elizy Brown,
I guess I knows my min'.
You allus try to tek me down
Wid evaht'ing you fin'.
Ef dese hyeah folks will keep on fillin'
Yo' haid wid nonsense, an' you's willin'
I bet some day dey 'll be a killin'
Somewhaih along de line.
O' cose I buys de gal ice-cream,
Whut else I gwine to do?
I knows jes' how de t'ing 'u'd seem
Ef I 'd be sho't wid you.
On Sunday, you's at chu'ch a-shoutin',
Den all de week you go 'roun' poutin'—
I's mighty tiahed o' all dis doubtin',
I tell you cause I's true.