THE other day I read an article about dialect and was reminded of the time we visited friends living in San Jose, California.

They were so intrigued with our Lancashire dialect that they asked us would we make a tape.

We did this, little knowing that it would be used as a subject for discussion at Sanford University.

We added a translation of the conversation on paper and in the text. Our friend was attending there at the time and decided to take it as a point of interest. She played it for her fellow students and they were very fascinated. Afterwards they tried to imitate our pronunciation and had a good laugh. This was more than 20 years ago but our friend still remembers this and the fun she had with her fellow student. Just goes to prove that dialect can be a barrier breaker.

Elsie Hodgkiss

Trentham Avenue

Farnworth