Regional Differences:
* England: Think of the language used in Jane Austen's novels. It was more formal than today, with a clear distinction between social classes.
* America: Colonial America had a mix of dialects, influenced by English settlers and their interactions with Native American languages.
* Other regions: Different countries and regions had their own unique pronunciations, grammar, and vocabulary.
Social Class:
* Upper class: Spoke in a more polished, refined way, with formal grammar and vocabulary.
* Lower class: Used more informal language, with slang and regional dialects.
* Servants: Often spoke with distinct accents and used simple language.
Specific Language Features:
* Formal Pronouns: "Thou" and "thee" were still used, though less commonly than in earlier centuries.
* Archaic Vocabulary: Words like "belike" (perhaps), "forsooth" (indeed), and "prithee" (please) were more common.
* Grammatical Differences: Sentence structure and verb conjugation differed from modern English.
* Pronunciation: The pronunciation of some words has changed significantly.
Other Considerations:
* Written Language: Writing was more formal than spoken language, and there were specific conventions for letter writing and official documents.
* Communication: People communicated in person, through letters, and later by newspapers.
To get a better sense of how people spoke in the 1700s, consider:
* Reading literature from the period: Novels, plays, and diaries can give you a glimpse into the language used.
* Listening to historical recordings: While recordings from the 1700s don't exist, there are some recordings from the late 19th century that can give you an idea of how language has changed.
* Studying historical linguistics: This field examines the evolution of language over time and can help you understand the differences between English in the 1700s and today.
Remember, there's no single "1700s accent" or way of speaking. Language was diverse and varied depending on region, social class, and even individual preferences.