The definition of “Cockney” could be made more inclusive as a heritage group fight back against clichéd stereotypes.
Traditionally, the term is used to refer to people born in East London with some claiming it has unfavourable connotations.
But local heritage organisation, Cockney Cultures has set out to make inclusive gestures towards communities who reflect what they say are traditional east London values.
The group say the Cockney identity is under threat from “bias, prejudice and ignorance”.
The definition of ‘Cockney’ could be made more inclusive as a heritage group fight back against clichéd stereotypes
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They add that the modern definition must create a sense of self, based on shared values that do not exclude future generations.
Last year the organisation secured Cockney as a recognised “community language” and plans to expand the definition to include the “old-school Cockney” and a “new-school”, The Times reports.
The “new school” features Jewish Cockneys, Essex Cockneys, Black Cockneys and other groups who might not be included in overused stereotypes.
Cockney Cultures say their group is “pioneering living heritage and cultural identity project working to turn the tide on a narrative that defines Cockney as ‘dying’ … [by creating] a platform for celebrating and promoting a positive sense of ‘who we are’ that helps break barriers… and share commonality amongst people of many different backgrounds”.
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The organisation also called on Tower Hamlets council to help preserve the Cockney dialect by recognising it as an official language.
A petition was launched to retain east London’s “unique cultural heritage”.
“Cockney is traditionally considered a part of English working-class identity, though many diverse groups like Black, Bangladeshi, Jewish, Greek and Irish communities also identify with a Cockney identity,” the group said at the time in their petition.
“We want to see Cockney better understood, protected and celebrated across communities just as other community languages are, to instil a sense of civic pride and confidence within embedded communities.”
Last year the organisation secured Cockney as a recognised ‘community language’ and plans to expand the definition to include the ‘old-school Cockney’ and a ‘new-school’
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The petition was acknowledged by Tower Hamlets council and the borough celebrated the Modern Cockney Festival with an open discussion of “What does it mean to be a Cockney today?”
Cockney dialect became distinct in the 1300s, evolving with new words with the influence of Yiddish, Romani and German in the 1800s, according to Language Magazine.
Rhyming slang was introduced in the 1840s.
