One of the 2023 honorary graduates at the University of Suffolk has demonstrated his unique and witty assessment of the richness of the English language in a new video published by the University this week.

Suffolk dialect historian Charlie Haylock was one of five honorary graduates to be recognised last month in the 2023 graduation ceremonies.

Known for his entertaining talks, books and CDs – as well as for having trained Ralph Fiennes to perfect the Suffolk dialect on screen in the 2021 movie The Dig – Charlie has become renowned for his work chronicling Suffolk words and phrases.

The video of his acceptance speech in last month’s graduation ceremony has now been published online, available to watch below.

Charlie will host an Open Lecture on the history of spoken English at the University of Suffolk on Thursday 29 February 2024, with details on tickets to be announced in due course.

Find out more about the University’s honorary graduates.