Why Do Some Brits Use 'They Was' Instead of 'They Were'?

Often, language enthusiasts and linguists have noted the peculiar usage of certain verbs in different parts of the world. In particular, the use of 'they was' instead of 'they were' is a striking feature in certain British dialects, which has led to much debate. This article delves into the history, linguistic evolution, and contemporary usage of this fascinating linguistic quirk.

Standard British English vs. Dialects

When we teach English in schools, we follow a standardized form of grammar that is designed to be clear and consistent. This standard form of the verb 'to be' is highly regular and uniform, with forms like 'am', 'is', and 'are' in the present tense, and 'was' and 'were' in the past tense. However, the standard British English version of 'to be' conjugates very irregularly for first and second-person subjects in both the present and the past tense, a trait seen in many irregular verbs such as 'to walk' or 'to go'.

The standard forms of 'to be' are similar to these regular verbs: 'am / is', 'are', 'was', and 'were'. In contrast, the verb 'to walk' can be conjugated as follows: 'walk / walks', 'walked'. The conjugations of 'to be' are so irregular that it’s almost as though two verbs were mashed together. In older forms, 'am' and 'is' could be traced back to different Old English verbs, 'einan' and 'es', while 'was' and 'were' trace back to 'wsan' and 'wr', which are themselves irregular.

The Old English Influence

The irregularities of the verb 'to be' have historical roots. The verb 'to be' in Old English had a more complex and distinct form, with 'was' and 'were' derived from 'wesan', a verb meaning 'to remain' or 'to be'. This 'wesan' is a vestige of its Proto-Germanic ancestor 'wesanan', which itself traces back to the Proto-Indo-European (PIE) root 'wes', meaning 'to remain, abide, live, or dwell'.

The forms 'am', 'is', 'was', and 'were' can be seen as having evolved from the PIE root 'esmi/es-ti', with 'is' and 'am' relating to 'es', and 'was' and 'were' to 'wsan'. Thus, the irregular conjugation is not a result of poor language skills, but rather a reflection of historical linguistic processes.

Regional Variations in British English

Different regions of Britain have their own unique dialects, and these dialects often have their own specialized forms of verbs. For instance, the Black Country dialect, a traditional Midlands dialect, conjugated the verb 'to be' more irregularly and even used 'am' for both first and second person singular in the present tense. This form is similar to how it is used in other Germanic languages, such as 'I am' in Modern English and 'ich sind' in German.

The London dialects, particularly those influenced by East End immigration, have also started to regularize the verb 'to be', leading to forms like 'I is / I was', which are similar to the MLE (Midland and London English) dialects. Over time, the dominance of the South East has led to the rise of these forms, and it is possible that the use of 'They Was' in place of 'They Were' could eventually become standard in British English schools.

Conclusion

The use of 'they was' instead of 'they were' is not a consequence of poor language skills but a reflection of the historical and regional evolution of British English. From Old English to modern dialects, the verb 'to be' has undergone significant changes, revealing the complex and fascinating nature of language. As the language continues to evolve, it is interesting to consider how linguistic changes will alter the way we use and teach English in the future.