Dialectical Studies in West Virginia. 35- 



W is exchanged for v in very (werj') and a few other words. 

 The r is heard here more than in other parts of Virginia, but is 

 often silent when final. We occasionally hear (kjart, gjardn, 

 etc.), but not so commonly as in Virginia proper or in Charles- 

 ton, S. C. After s a / is often added, as close, pr. dost. The g 

 disappears in words like length, strength, etc., which are pro- 

 nounced (lentil and strenth, etc.). The / between the s and / of 

 words like apostle, epistle, etc., is sounded. 



The accent of words is often changed, either as a general 

 rule or by individuals. Idea frequently has the accent on the 

 first syllable (aid*, or aid^e). Mischief often transfers the 

 accent to the last syllable (mistschilf), though this is considered 

 a vulgarism. Difficultn sometimes has the accent on the ante- 

 penult (df-f/k-al-ti). Trespasses sometimes takes the accent on 

 the penultimate (tres-paa-sez). Contrary, when it means per- 

 verse, froward, wayward, always has the accent on the penulti- 

 mate (k.^ntreeri). Elizabeth often has the principal accent 

 on the ultima (IlizEb(?TH). Gethsemane is often accented 

 (Geth-se-meen). 



Turning to the grammatical peculiarities we find the great- 

 est variety in the verb. The tendency here is to form peculiar 

 past tenses and past participles. Often one is exchanged for 

 the other without any apparent reason. This is especially the 

 case with the irregular verbs. The following list contains all 

 those which I have observed: 



