An Atlas of Alexander J. Ellis's
The
Existing Phonology of English Dialects
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This map shows the distribution of the survival of the distinction between ME /kn/ and /n/ in initial position. Data for Scotland in particular is sparse since ken is usually given rather than know. In Scotland, kn- words have [kn] where the distinction survives; in England, kn- words have [n̥] (but [tn] at Langwathby).
● = kn- and n- distinct, ● = kn- and n- variably distinct, ● = kn- and n- the same
dt.
- 5. know
cs. - 2. know, 5. knew, 13. know
(c)wl. - 27. knave, 92. know, 98. known, 234. knead, 408. knew, 504. knife
cs. - 2. know, 5. knew, 13. know
(c)wl. - 27. knave, 92. know, 98. known, 234. knead, 408. knew, 504. knife
No distinction between kn- and n- is recorded outside of north Northumberland in later sources. LAS3 records [kŋ] in knowe at location 28.2, Spittal (north Northumberland). LAS3 otherwise records [kn] (occasionally [tn] or [kŋ]) for kn- in Shetland, Orkney, Caithness, Ross and Cromarty, Nairn, Moray, Banffshire, Aberdeenshire, Kincardineshire, Angus and in one location in Fife.