I could not help contrasting the way in which
the average landsman would give an order,
with the mate's way of doing it. If the
landsman should wish the gang-plank moved
a foot farther forward, he would probably say:
"James, or William, one of you push that
plank forward, please;" but put the mate in
his place and he would roar out: "Here, now,
start that gang-plank for'ard! Lively, now!
WHAT're you about! Snatch it! SNATCH it!
There! there! Aft again! aft again! don't you
hear me."
-Life on the Mississippi,
Mark Twain
What does dialect reveal about the social attitudes
of the time? Check the two boxes that apply
The working class was considered unrefined
The working class commanded respect from
others.
Sailors and landsmen followed different
social patterns.
Mates were not expected to know people's
names
DONE