Discover Why North Carolina Islanders Speak Pirate: Uncover the Accents’ Secrets!

There exists a unique dialect found solely in a tiny region of the United States that isn’t recognized as an American dialect.

A BBC report explored the Hoi Toider brogue, a version of English spoken on Ocracoke Island in North Carolina. This dialect is a mix of Elizabethan English with influences from Irish and Scottish languages, a bit of German, some words from Native American languages, and even a splash of pirate lingo.

The name “Hoi Toider” itself is a rendition of the phrase “High Tider,” which is what islanders use to refer to themselves. This naming alone might make newcomers think they’re interacting with folks from Ireland or Australia, not from a remote part of the United States.

A Unique Dialect on a Secluded North Carolina Island

Ocracoke Island’s geographic isolation has played a crucial role in preserving its distinctive way of speaking. The island has historically hosted a colorful array of inhabitants, including English sailors, notorious pirates, and Native Americans, since the 1600s.

Its separation from the mainland, with no bridges or airports, historically made it an ideal hideout for pirates. Notably, in the 1600s and early 1700s, pirates like Blackbeard’s quartermaster, William Howard, sought refuge here from the British Crown. Over time, more settlers arrived, and the community’s unique dialect developed from this melting pot of cultures—a dialect now at risk of disappearing.

Advancements in technology and the influx of new residents and tourists have exposed the island’s younger population to broader linguistic influences, reducing the prevalence of the traditional Hoi Toider dialect.

“There are more and more people discovering this place,” shared Daphne Bennink, who moved to the island 35 years ago from New York and never returned. “Ocracoke is like a patchwork quilt of diverse backgrounds. It’s quite the melting pot here.”

Today, less than half of the island’s population speaks the dialect in its entirety. Linguists are concerned that it might vanish within the next generation. While this loss would be regrettable, the community understands that their dialect isn’t the sole factor keeping their close-knit society thriving, despite their relative isolation from the rest of the country.

The essence of Ocracoke Island lies in its residents’ mutual care and support, striving for the collective good and being there for one another in times of need.