Provincialism

This chapter focuses on provincialism. The word “provincialism” refers to any social disposition, or custom, or form of speech or of civilization, which is especially characteristic of a province. One may apply the term to name, not only the peculiarities of a local dialect, but the fashions, the manners, and customs of a given restricted region of any country. One also often employs the word “provincialism” as an abstract term, to name not only the customs or social tendencies themselves, but that fondness for them, that pride in them, which may make the inhabitants of a province indisposed to conform to the ways of those who come from without, and anxious to follow persistently their own local traditions. Thus, the word “provincialism” applies both to the social habits of a given region and to the mental interest which inspires and maintains these habits.