My story is set in Lancashire in 1962 and the dialect back then was quite strong. In real terms people would say something like 'I know nowt about owt.' Yep it's foreign! But would it be ok to add snatches of this dialect to the storyline? Not overload but maybe in an overheard conversation. Thanks
Thank you Lorraine and Daphne for your comments. I would only use it sparingly, if at all, probably in overheard conversation. I definitely would not use it as a full conversation. I know it can be frustrating trying to figure out what someone's saying, I've done it myself reading novels. And you are right Daphne it is normal, especially to us 'Northerners' Ha! Thank you again.
Yes, add snatches, but avoid having too many of the sort that require apostrophes; they look like scatter-shot if overdone.
You need your characters to speak authentically, but occasionally toned down - bear in mind that a lot of your readers won't necessarily have the ear for the Lancashire dialect, and could struggle to read it or could find it annoying.
As a Prestonian, I have no problems with it!
Lorraine
That's not dialect, that's normal.