The Yorkshire Film Archive collects, preserves, and shows film made in, or about Yorkshire. Our collections are non-fiction, dating from the 1890s to the present day, and providing a rich and visually compelling record of all aspects of lives, cultures, landscape, industries, major events and everyday activities, many of which are available to watch, free of charge, on our website.
This film is part of Free
Local Dialects
This film takes us on a tour of Yorkshire and offers a profoundly interesting and focused examination of many of the area’s regional dialects.
From the collection of:
Overview
A Calendar reporter follows Yorkshire dialect expert Stanley Ellis as he undertakes a brief car tour of the region to examine its many different dialects. The reporter conducts interviews through Ellis, who acts as a translator, throughout the film, despite the fact that all participants are in fact speaking English.
Stanley Ellis was one of the most famous experts on Yorkshire dialects in the 20th Century. He was frequently used as an expert witness in court cases to identify the origin of regional dialects. The Yorkshire dialects are believed to be derived from both Old English and Old Norse. The dialects have changed a great deal through the centuries and are expected to continue to change in the future.
Related
Watch for free
The Homecoming: A Short Film about Ajamu The Homecoming: A Short Film about Ajamu
Drama-documentary 1995 17 mins Location: Brixton
Queer activist and artist Ajamu prepares to leave Brixton for an exhibition of his work in his hometown, Huddersfield
Watch for free
Canadian Army 1943 Canadian Army 1943
Non-Fiction 1943 9 mins Silent Location: Huddersfield
Canadian troops stationed in Yorkshire get a civic reception before a tour of the county, including a typical textile town and watching a typical wartime football match.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: La Haine New Perspectives: La Haine
Short documentary 2025 4 mins
Charlie Hammersley, a student from Northumbria University, explains how Mathieu Kassovitz's 1995 film holds up a mirror to society.
Watch for free
Dreamers Q&A Dreamers Q&A
Inside Film 2025 30 mins
The film-makers behind a haunting tale of love and community within a UK immigration detention centre visited the BFI Southbank to discuss their film.
Watch for free
Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 50 mins
Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation at BFI Southbank, discussing the making of One Battle After Another.
Watch for free
Laura Mulvey in Conversation Laura Mulvey in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 76 mins
Laura Mulvey in conversation, following her BFI Fellowship Award.
Watch for free
George Clooney in Conversation George Clooney in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 74 mins
George Clooney visited BFI Southbank to look back on his life and career.
Watch for free
Chloé Zhao Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Chloé Zhao Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 65 mins
The Oscar®- winning director of Nomadland discusses her unique approach to filmmaking and the inspiration behind the adaptation of Hamnet.