Scots Language Society / Scots Leid Associe

Whit's Scots?

jouk, gulravae, stech, fushionless, ill-setten, nieve, orrals, pley, incomin, havers, clamihewit, murlin, upbring, hant, pleesure, bravity, fantoush, smeddum, scunner, gilliegaupus, thrawn, glaikit, airtit, bogshaivelt, flouers, eedjitm lintie, champit, pauchtie, dour, nainsel, pech, haun, ....

It's our ain tung!

The Scots Language Society exists to promote Scots in literature, drama, the media, education and every day usage. Since Scots was once the state language of Scotland, it is a valid part of our heritage and the Society recognises that it should be able to take its place as a language of Scotland, along with Gaelic and English.

As well as promoting the language and lobbying education authorities and the media for greater use of Scots, the society publishes the twice-yearly "Lallans", the magazine for writing in Scots (free to society members) plus a newsletter in Scots. It holds an annual conference, which has been addressed by eminent writers, actors, journalists, musicians, television presenters, scholars and others, and runs competitions encouraging both adults and children to write in Scots.

The society can provide advice on the language to theatre companies, schools, etc.

The society is a registered charity.

Did ye ken?

The Anglo-Saxons said "Hoose" for "House", "Sang" for "Song" and "Maist" for "Most"

In Scotland, even speakers of Standard English use Scots words, idioms and grammatical constructions without even realising it. Think about "Janitor" (care-taker) or "I've got a cold" (I've a cold) or "Outwith" (Outside)

Scots was once the state language of the kingdom of Scotland, used by all classes for all purposes

Many of Scotland's greatest writers have used the Scots language to express many of their most profound thoughts and ideas. eg. Robert Henryson (c 1430-1506), Robert Burns (1759-1796), Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894), Hugh MacDiarmid (1892-1978).

A great many common Scots words have cosmopolitan origins, such as 'Skank' (drain, grating) from French, 'Scone' from Dutch, 'Kirk' from Old Norse and 'Janitor' from Latin.

Today, Scots is a living language, in use outwith the Gaeltacht. It is recognised as a separate language, even in the European Union where it is represented by the bureau for lesser used languages.
(mailto: pub00341@innet.be WWW: http://www.eblul-bic.be/ )

Jyne us nou!

Scots Language Society
Blackford Lodge
Blackford
Perthshire PH4 1QP

tel: 01764 682315
fax 0870 428 5086
mailto: mail@lallans.co.uk
http://www.lallans.co.uk/

Local branches of the society are to be found in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Perth.

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