Dictionary of Cape Breton English

The first regional dictionary devoted to the island’s linguistic and cultural history, the Dictionary of Cape Breton English is a fascinating record of the island’s rich vocabulary.

William J. Davey is a senior scholar in the Department of Languages and Letters at Cape Breton University.
MacKinnon Richard P. :

Richard MacKinnon is a professor of Folklore and director of the Centre for Cape Breton Studies at Cape Breton University.

‘Highly recommended. All readership levels.’

Alan Lynch:

"It may seem odd to suggest a dictionary is a fun read, but the Dictionary of Cape Breton English (DCBE) by academics William J. Davey and Richard MacKinnon is just such a book…. This should appeal to word lovers, writers, social historians and the curious. It would also be a great gift for Scrabble players anywhere. "

Stefan Dollinger, Department of English, University of British Columbia; Department of Languages and Literatures, Gothenburg University, Sweden:

"A most welcome addition to the study of regional lexis in Canada. This book enriches the historical perspective in Canadian English and offers readers, at long last, a point of departure into the vocabulary of Cape Breton Island.”

Sandra Clarke, Department of Linguistics, Memorial University:

“The Dictionary of Cape Breton English will become a staple reference in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia and the Cape Breton diaspora. It constitutes a major contribution to the study of Canadian English.”