Pronunciation:
* Vowel sounds: Cockney features distinctive vowel sounds, particularly the "short a" which is pronounced like "ah" (e.g., "cat" becomes "caht"). Other vowel sounds, like "oi" and "ow," also have unique pronunciations.
* Dropping of 'h' at the beginning of words: Words like "house" and "hair" become "ouse" and "air."
* Th-fronting: The "th" sound is replaced with a "f" or "v" sound (e.g., "think" becomes "fink," "this" becomes "dis").
* Glottal stop: The "t" sound is replaced with a glottal stop (a quick stop of airflow at the back of the throat) in words like "bottle" and "butter."
Vocabulary:
* Rhyming slang: Cockney uses rhyming slang to disguise certain words. For example, "trouble and strife" refers to a wife, "apples and pears" refers to stairs.
* Unique slang terms: Cockney has its own set of unique slang terms, such as "chinwag" for chat, "skive" for to avoid work, and "cobblers" for nonsense.
Grammar:
* Use of "ain't" for "am not," "is not," or "are not."
* Double negatives: "I ain't got no money" is grammatically correct in Cockney, whereas it's considered incorrect in Standard English.
Overall, Cockney is a distinct dialect with its own unique pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar. It's not considered "incorrect" English, but rather a different variety of the language with its own history and cultural significance.
It's important to note that Cockney is not a monolithic dialect. There are variations within the dialect depending on age, social class, and geographical location. Also, while Cockney originated in the East End of London, it's not exclusively spoken there.