I just read a fic where a character who canonically speaks SAE

[conuly]

suddenly comes out with the "needs washed" construction.

As always, I find it totally fascinating how people with this construction in their dialect have no idea that it isn't universal. It isn't universal, guys, it is very much regional. As far as I know, it comes from one specific place in the British Isles and is found only in parts of the Anglosphere heavily settled by people from that place.

And for some reason, people who otherwise knows that all sorts of regionalisms in their speech are regionalisms are totally baffled when you tell them that this is one of them. They suggest there's no other way to say things without that construction. They are confused when you point out that every television show they've ever watched and every book they've ever read has dozens of examples of people saying the same thing, but in Standard English - the dog needs to be washed, the book needs to be put away, and so on.

I didn't say anything to this author, but I'm watching the comments in case somebody else does. I usually find linguistic diversity interesting on its own, but when it comes to this particular construction I find the fact that the speakers who have it have no idea to be much more fascinating.

Comments

[topaz_eyes]

I've been called out for using regionalisms in fic before (the positive anymore is a big one), and for me it happens simply because it's unconscious. "Needs washed" is a perfectly normal construction both where I grew up and where I currently live. As is "go to hospital" instead of "go to the hospital." You're right, it's utterly fascinating.

[conuly]

You have positive anymore, needs washed - and go to hospital?

[topaz_eyes]

The rural southwestern Ontario dialect (and accent) is wild. That area was settled by waves of Scots and Irish immigrants from the early 18th century up to World War 2, as well as US Loyalists after the American Revolution. Plus, the area was extremely isolated from the rest of southern Ontario. It's also sometimes known as "Queen's Bush" English (referring to Queen Victoria).

If you've ever watched "Letterkenny", that's the dialect and accent you hear.

[conuly]

Well now I know!