Scots Language Centre - Scots Language Centre

An iCan or an iCanna?

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:47:00 +0000

Are you one of those Scots who feels frustrated with the voice-activated iPhone 4S? Recently the media has picked up on the disparity between the technology and the reality in Scotland. In particular, the Los Angeles Times headlined with the iPhone’s Siri not seeming so ‘smart’ in Scotland. Since the iPhone 4S was launched, back in October 2011, it has been a popular seller, but the voice activation component is causing problems for Scots customers who find they can’t be understood. This has left commentators scratching their heads because it is pointed out that phones are set for ‘English (United Kingdom)’. Commentators have cited the ‘Scottish accent’ as the source of confusion and the Lose Angeles Times gives as examples words such as ‘cannae’ and ‘daftie’. But here lies the real problem. Cannae and daftie are not simply accent, but words from another, related language. It is the inability on the part of commentators and producers of technology to distinguish between accent, on the one hand, and language on the other, which leads to this problem in a Scottish context. The technology, whether iPhones, or voice-activated lifts, is programmed with the presumption that everyone in Scotland always speaks in English. The reality is that in Scotland many people speak the Scots language which is distinct from English, and no allowance is being made for this situation. It’s a bit like producing a voice-activated phone for sale in the Netherlands which only recognises German, or, closer to home, an iPhone marketed at Scottish Gaelic speakers which has been programmed only for Irish. Perhaps some day common sense will get ahead of the technology.

Cameron and Salmond Beasties

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:27:00 +0000

The 25^th January is the day we celebrate Scotland’s national bard, Robert Burns (1759-1796), who wrote in the Scots language. This was the same day that the Scottish Government chose to launch its consultation document for holding a referendum on Scottish independence, and, appropriately enough, the debates and interviews throughout the day were accompanied by quotes from the works of Burns. The First Minister of Scotland, Alex Salmond, visited the Scottish Storytelling Centre, in Edinburgh, where children were learning about Robert Burns, his life, and the language, and later, during debate in the parliament, the First Minister quoted from ‘Is There For Honest Poverty’: “See yon birkie ca’d ‘a lord’, Wha struts, an’ stares, an’ a’ that? In London, during Prime Minister’s Question Time, the UK Prime Minister, David Cameron, quoted a well known extract from Burns’s ‘To A Mouse’: “Wee, sleekit, cowrin, tim’rous beastie, O, What a panic’s in thy breastie!” However, as Channel 4 News commented, the Prime Minister’s pronunciation of Scots was not as it should have been and they later asked Mr Salmond to give his own rendition to the camera.

The Referendum Discussions

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 15:31:00 +0000

The recent controversial exchanges between Holyrood and Westminster - regarding the proposed referendum on Scottish independence - have naturally focused the minds of Scots on a variety of issues likely to affect daily life. While certain issues will take priority with voters, the debate stimulated by the referendum discussions will no doubt have a bearing on the issues of culture and language. For many years a number of studies have shown that Scots make a close connection between their identity and the Scots language. The interest in Scottish identity, created by the referendum debate, may prove to be a timely opportunity for discussing the possible future use and status of the Scots language in our society.

New work on Shetland and Scotland

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 17:02:00 +0000

A brand new book by Atina Nihtinen may justly be described as a significant contribution to our understanding of the Scots language, dialects, and modern identity. Entitled ‘Ambivalent Self-Understanding? Change, Language and Boundaries in the Shetland Islands (1970-Present)’, this work blossomed from a thesis into a groundbreaking study of the language and identity of the Shetland Isles. The author conducted fieldwork in Shetland in order to put together a picture of attitudes to language, ideas about Shetland identity, and how Shetlanders see their relationship with Scotland, and the Scots language. Although the bulk of the study is focussed on Shetland since the 1970s, there is much more material here exploring Scotland’s past cultural, linguistic and political identities. The author discusses the relationship between the Scots language movement and Shetland dialect, the past history of Norwegian in the islands, the growth of the Scottish state, the former and present status of Scots, and also the relationship between Scots/Shetland and Scottish Gaelic, noting important disparities and controversies. At the end of the book there is a summary in Swedish. No doubt this study will fascinate anyone who wishes to get to grips with language and identity in modern Scotland.

If you would like to buy a copy of the book please contact Åbo Akademi University Press in Finland by e-mail forlaget@abo.fi (website www.abo.fi/stiftelsen/forlag/) or the distributor Oy Tibo-Trading Ab by e-mail tibo@tibo.net (website www.tibo.net ).

Scots Stumps American Footballer

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 15:17:00 +0000

It was reported in the press this past week (Daily Record, 19 November) that American footballer Alejandro Bedoya, is finding the Scots language a real challenge. The midfielder, who plays for Glasgow Rangers, commented on Twitter that he is having problems understanding Scottish speakers, and in particular Rangers coach Ian Durrant. Bedoya has found that many people in Scotland speak something different from English, which he was not prepared for. The same comments were also made by Glasgow Celtic player Georgios Samaras who said that he knew what English was, but what he was hearing was something different. No doubt it takes foreign and non-Scottish players a while to tune into the accents, but clearly the language, for which they are unprepared, is also presenting difficulty. Such difficulties could, of course, be remedied by Scottish football clubs adopting a simple taster course for foreign players, preparing them for the language.

Calling All Young Performers

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 14:49:00 +0000

Are you a talented child or a young adult with an interest in the Scots language? Are you looking for a place to perform? If so, the people of Prestonpans are hosting a Burns Family Storytelling Ceilidh on Sunday 22 January 2012. The whole upstairs of the Gothenburg Tavern in Prestonpans will be given over to a Burns Supper and other events that day, doors opening at 2.30pm. The organisers are particularly interested to hear from any children or young adults who would like to take part in giving poems, songs, telling stories, performing scripted drama, or providing music, either in Scots or in English. If you are interested and would like to learn more, please contact organiser and storyteller Tim Porteus by e-mail at timporteus@hotmail.com .

New novel in Scots

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 12:57:00 +0000

A new novel in Scots has recently been written by Wulf Kurtoglu. Entitled ‘Braken Fences’ the cover explains the story: ‘In a near future whan the tulyie atween rationalism an releegious fundamentalism haes been focht tae a staunstill, Braken Fences explores themes o identity, allegiance an freedom. Yince again there blank areas on the map. Ayont the parteetioned Borders, genetic experiments haes altered human senses, an Neanderthals mells wi bandits an Buddhist monks in the muntains o Central Asia. The scene is set for a tale o adventure an romance, and for the discovery, at lang last, o whit wey the Neanderthals dee’d oot.

As the cover states, this is ‘a bold uise o the Scots tongue tae express cultures an langages faur hyne frae Scotlan’. The book is published by Caroline Macafee at www.lulu.com and is also available in an English version as Broken Fences.

Scots Tung Yule Cairds

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 15:53:00 +0000

With the Christmas season once again approaching we would like to remind our visitors that Scots language Christmas cards - or Yule cairds - can be purchased from Scots Tung. This year's card is A4 card folded and carries the greeting 'Blythe Yuletide' over a beautiful photo of Edinburgh and the line 'Stravaigin Yonder Canty Brae'. Inside there is a poem in Scots of four stanzas and the greeting 'Biddin Ye A Blithe Yuletide / An A Richt Guid New Year'. You can order a pack of ten cards for £9 plus £1.50 pp. Please make out cheques to 'Scots Tung' and send your order to Richard Heinsar, Convener Scots Tung, 58 Whitehill Avenue, Musselburgh, EH21 6PE. You can also telephone 0131 665 9351 or email scots.tung@btinternet.com.

Sponsor a Scots Word

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 15:33:00 +0000

Scottish Language Dictionaries would like to encourage more people to ‘sponsor a Scots word’ which is a scheme run in conjunction with businesses, community groups and schools. Aileymill Primary School, in Greenock, was recently featured on Reporting Scotland as it had been encouraging the use of the word Galoshans during the Halloween period. The Scots Language Centre also recently highlighted a similar movement in Prestonpans where traditional storytellers and others have revived the Galoshan play. If you would like to sponsor a Scots word, or know of someone else who might be interested in helping to fund the work of the new edition of the Concise Scots Dictionary, please visit the website of Scottish Language Dictionaries at www.scotsdictionaries.org.uk. You will find a form on the website which can be downloaded. The staff at the SLD have recently indicated in their newsletter that they are always happy to hear from businesses or schools who would like to sponsor a word.

McCash Poetry Winner

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 14:24:00 +0000

Fife teacher and Scots language poet, William Hershaw, is this year's winner of the McCash Scots Poetry Competition. There were in total 170 entries and Hershaw won the first prize of £750 with his two pieces 'Wabster' and 'Seivin Verses for GMB' (George MacKay Brown). Liz Lochhead, who is Scotland's official Makar, praised Hershaw's work as being head and shoulders above the other entries both in terms of language and accessibility for reading.

Galoshins in Prestonpans

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 13:43:00 +0000

Prestonpans is set for a very special Halloween this week as locals, actors, dancers, musicians and storytellers come together for a traditional celeberation. Until the early 20^th century the town held a traditional Galoshin play and this is now being revived (see guisers in photo). The Galoshin, Galoshan, or Galatian, play was formerly performed by young guisers during festive periods, particularly at Hogmanay. As well as the Galoshin play, which is performed partly in Scots, there will also be a version of the story Duncan the Boatbuilder, along with poems and songs in both English and Scots. There will also be plenty for children to do, including a Halloween grotto, guising, and games. The night will end with a traditional ceilidh with the emphasis on celebrating – and passing on -Scotland’s traditional culture. Events begin at 3pm, 31 October, at the Gothenburg Tavern, High Street, Prestonpans. Adult tickets are £5 and children £2 which include food. If you would like more information please contact organiser Tim Porteus at either timporteus@hotmail.com or phone 01875 818 355.

School Co-ordinators for Scots

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 12:39:00 +0000

It was recently announced (October) by Learning and Skills Minister Alasdair Allan MSP that Scotland is to have a series of Scots language co-ordinators in Scottish schools. This concept originated as a result of the extensive discussions and consultations by the ministerial working group on the Scots language which reported in 2010. In the run up to the 2011 Scottish elections certain sections of the media not only exaggerated that an ‘army’ of co-ordinators for the language would be a burden on the taxpayer but suggested that schools should not be supporting the language. Recently Dr Allan confirmed that there would not be any ‘army’ of newly created co-ordinators, but rather existing teachers in that area would be identified and given the remit for co-ordinating Scots language study. This move represents a significant shift in government thinking by officially recognising the need to provide the Scots-speaking community with institutional support. It also recognises the value of the Scots language to Scotland’s culture as a whole and does something to ensure that the state helps transmit the language from this generation to the next. After all, Scots speakers pay taxes too.

McClure on Scots

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 13:06:00 +0000

Professor J Derrick McClure will be giving a talk to the Montrose Natural History and Antiquarian Society on Tuesday 11 October 2011 called 'Scots: a Language for Poetic Translation'. Professor McClure taught Scottish Literature and courses on the Scots language for 40 years at the University of Aberdeen. He has long been an advocate for the Scots language and has produced many publications, including the well known Saltire booklet 'Why Scots Matters'. He is himself an accomplished translator of foreign language poetry into Scots.

Doors open at the Montrose Museum at 7pm for a 7.30pm start and everyone is welcome.

Borders Youth Theatre

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 13:50:00 +0000

This autumn the Borders Youth Theatre is presenting a short season of performance poems in the Scots language which can be seen in selected places within the Scottish Borders region. The performance pieces, called Wastin Times, were originally commissioned by the theatre from poet Harvey Holton back in 1993. Harvey, who sadly died in 2010, produced vigorous pieces in the Scots language which, although based on the style of the traditional Borders ballads, were, and are, intended to reflect contemporary themes which would appeal to both children and young adults. It was also the intention of the poet that younger people could be introduced to Scots in its written form.

The Borders Youth Theatre will begin rehearsals for Wastin Times on Saturday 8 October, which will be directed by John Haswell assisted by Oli Bisset and John Nichol. The themes explored in the performances include growing up, relationships, and thrill seeking, and will be addressed, and interpreted, by a new generation of young actors.

The Borders Youth Theatre runs workshops for over 150 young people aged between 8-25 years in various places in the Borders, including school holiday projects. Speaking about the work of the Theatre, and Wastin Times in particular, Trustees Chair David J Bisset commented “One of the reasons for commissioning the pieces from Harvey originally and for returning to them is to introduce the young people to the language and culture of the area in which they live.” Mr Bisset also added that for most younger people Scots in its written form certainly presents a challenge because they are not used to seeing how it is written. Because the pieces are not ‘scripts’ as such the actors are able to work with the director and stage these in heir own particular way. If you would like to learn more about the Borders Youth Theatre please follow this link: www.bordersyouththeatre.co.uk

You can see Wastin Times at the following locations: The Wynd, Melrose, Saturday 15 & 16 October 2011, Smailholm Village Hall, Friday 21 October, and the Burgh Hall, Peebles, Sunday 23 October. All performances begin at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £7 (£5 concessions) or a family ticket for £20 (two adults and two concessions). Tickets can be obtained from Red Shed Tickets at www.redshedtickets.com 19 Roxburgh Street, Kelso.

Scots Christmas Cards On Sale

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 11:00:00 +0000

Scots Tung, the campaigning Scots language body based in Musselburgh, have now produced the latest in a long line of yearly Christmas cards in the language. The latest design is A5 in size and folded over, with an original four verse poem in Scots. On the other side of the card are phrases in Scots and information about the language. If you would like a free sample before ordering please contact the convener, Richard Heinsar, either by email at scots.tung@btinternet.com, by phone 0131 665 9351 or post 58 Whitehill Avenue, Musselburgh, EH21 6PE, Scotland.

Reading Scots Aloud

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 10:37:00 +0000

The Aberdeenshire 'Reading Bus' scheme has recently developed an intiative to help encourage the use of spoken Scots among primary age children. Working with a variety of schools, they are building an archive of recordings of children reading poetry aloud.

Reading Bus

Meeting Dr Alasdair Allan

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 14:19:00 +0000

The Scots Language Centre recently had the opportunity to meet Dr Alasdair Allan, Minister for Learning and Skills. Discussions covered Dr Allan's own background as a Scots speaker and the recent development of Scottish Studies. This new area of the curriculum should help formalise Scots language studies in schools. Video of this interview will be available on the Scots Language Centre website in November.

Scots Tung Wittins

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 13:04:00 +0000

Richard Heinsar, the Convener of Scots Tung, has been keeping us up to date with events in that society. He told us that Scots Tung has recently responded to an appeal for funds made by the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway and made a generous donation of £1,000. One of the most important aims of the museum is to make Burns more available to children. In thanks the museum has agreed to put the words 'Scots Tung - Aye Ettlin Tae Uphaud Scots' on one of its glass doors near the entrance.

Scots Tung have recently suggested one easy way of maintaining and promoting Scots, by giving your home a house name in the language. They say "Insteid o the likes o 'West Winds' or 'The Pines' whit wey nae the likes o 'Canty Neuk', 'Laich Hoose' or 'Hame frae the Sea'?".

If you would like to find out more about Scots Tung please contact Richard Heinsar on 0131 665 9351 or e-mail scots.tung@btinternet.com

Reformation Exhibition

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 12:49:00 +0000

The University of Edinburgh is staging a major free exhibition that explores the world of the Scottish Reformation, including the music, song and language of the day. Called ‘Singing The Reformation’ the exhibition brings together for the first time all eight part books of the world-famous Thomas Wode Psalter. Thomas Wode, who was vicar of St Andrews, was originally a monk but joined the Reformation movement in 1560. In that year, a Protestant, English-backed faction forced regime change in Scotland and passed a series of acts abolishing the papal authority and establishing a Church of Scotland. This regime change led to a political alignment that suited the previously isolated English elite and had important cultural consequences for Scotland, including its languages. Jane Dawson, who is the John Laing Professor of Reformation History at Edinburgh, commented: “The Reformation in Scotland has often been blamed for speeding up the Anglicisation of the language, but the story is more complex and the process more subtle than this bald characterisation.” Thomas Wode spent the years between 1562 and 1592 collecting 106 metrical psalms from various sources and produced the part books setting the psalms to music. He also added invaluable notations, written in Scots, commenting on the music and song of that period. Between 1606 and 1625 additions were made to these beautifully illustrated books. Professor Dawson hopes that visitors to the exhibition will appreciate the various cultural interconnections and further commented: “Placing the Wode Psalter (written in Scots and one of Scotland’s cultural treasures in the centre), the exhibition helps people step into the world of Reformation Scotland. It reveals the complex interaction between the sung, spoken, written and printed words during this period of religious and linguistic transition within Scotland.”

The exhibition contains a number of highlights directly relevant to the Scots language including ‘The Art of Music’ written c.1580, Hamilton’s Catechism (1552), John Knox’s ‘History of the Reformation in Scotland’ (original manuscript c.1566-71), ‘The order of the General Fast (1587) and various metrical psalters printed 1563-1635. There are also quotes in Scots contained within the exhibition’s information boards. These various works provide plenty of evidence for the ways in which the spellings and words of English texts were changed to suit the pronunciation of Scots speakers.

The exhibition is located in the Main Library Exhibition Room, University of Edinburgh, George Square, and runs from 6 August until 28 October 2011. Visitors can view Monday- Saturday, 10am-5pm, during August, and Monday-Friday, 10am-5pm during September and October.

A CD of ‘The Wode Collection’ is available from the University Visitor Centre, Crichton Street for £10 or can be downloaded from Linn Record at http://www.linnrecords.com/recordings-the-wode-collection.aspx or you might like to look at the Iphone App http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/divinity/news-events/news/iphone-app

Scots train maps published

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 12:45:00 +0000

A railway map of Scotland in Scots has been published on Scottish news web site, newsnet scotland. The map is one in a series that includes maps in Gaelic and English. Paul Kavanagh of newsnet has been working on drawing up the maps for some time and hopes they will help generate discussion about place names and signage.

See the maps and join in the discussion at newsnet scotland.