Dialect Variation in Northern Middle English

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The investigation into the Northern Middle English dialect area reveals a more complex linguistic landscape than previously thought. By analyzing four key manuscripts of The Pricke of Conscience, the study uncovers significant variation in language features, challenging traditional classifications of 'non-northern' traits. It contextualizes each manuscript through its codicological and sociolinguistic aspects, linking scribal behavior to regional identity. The findings identify five distinct language varieties, offering a nuanced understanding that encourages further exploration of the NME region's linguistic diversity.