I'm an American Scot that speaks English, you are a Scot in Scotland that speaks English, but how is it that we cannot always understand each other? Culture clash. Most Scots in Scotland speak English, but most have local phrases and dialects that differ even within Scotland itself. More differ more between Scotland and England, and even more between Scotland and America.
This section is an overview of these differences, which are often humorous, one of a culture clash of languages and dialects. Add into this mix a resurgence in Lowland Scots (Early English) and Scottish Gaelic (gaa-lic), the original Celtic language of Scotland, you end up with a wonderful mixed bag and rich nature that is language in Scotland of today. In addition there are regional versions of English: Highland English, influenced by Scots Gaelic, and Scottish English, influenced by Lowland Scots.
Scottish Accents, Dialects, Words, and Phrases
♦ List of Scottish Slang Words
Lowland Scots
- a form of Early English. No longer just a Lowlands Scotland language, "Scots" grew from a very early form of Middle English from the Kingdom of Northumbria. It developed separately from Modern English (from England) and mixed in some Scottish Gaelic, Dutch, and Norse (Viking) to become the language known today as "Scots." From the time of King Robert the Bruce of Scotland (1300s), the Scots language became the standard language of the Lowlands, the Scottish Royal Court, and government. Some words and phrases today are intertwined with modern English spoken in the Lowlands of Scotland (Southern, Eastern, and Central Scotland). The entire language is spoken and taught in schools in parts of the Lowlands of Scotland. In Northern Ireland a form of Scots is spoken by Scots-Irish or Ulster-Scots, who originated from the Lowlands of Scotland. In Northern Ireland the language is takes more of a Gaelic form and is called "Ulster-Scots."
♦ Wikipedia on Lowland Scots
♥ Useful Scots Phrases - Scots Gaelic Reference - the Omniglot Encyclopedia
♦ Scots Language Centre
♦ Scots Language Society
♦ Aye Can Speak Scots - Learn Scots
♦ Oor Wullie Guide to the Scots Language - National Library of Scotland.
♦ Scots Dictionary Online, Scots Dictionaries in Print
♦ Scots Radio - youtube
Scottish Gaelic (pronounced: gaa-lic)
- the original Celtic language of Scotland. Some words and phrases are intertwined with English spoken in the North and Highlands of Scotland. The entire Gaelic language is taught in schools and is spoken in some parts of the Highlands and some north-western islands. Irish Gaelic is pronounced: Gay-Lic. Scottish Gaelic is pronounced: Gaa-Lic.
♦ Wikipedia on Scottish Gaelic
♥ LearnGaelic.scot - Dictionary - Learn Our Language TV Series (learn conversational Gaelic), Learn Gaelic Songs
♥ Useful Gaelic Phrases - Scottish Gaelic Reference - the Omniglot Encyclopedia
♦ Gaelic on the Web (in Gaelic and English)
♦ BBC ALBA- BBC TV in Scots Gaelic w/English subtitles
To watch British and Scottish TV outside the UK requires a VPN service.
♦ BBC Gaelic Radio
♦ Sabhal Mòr Ostaig in Scotland - (wikipedia) - a Scottish Gaelic College on the Isle of Skye
♦ The Gaelic College in Canada - (wikipedia) - a Scottish Gaelic College in Nova Scotia
♦ The Book of Deer - containing the earliest surviving (1100s) Scottish Gaelic writing from Scotland. Contains the Gospels (John is complete).
] View at Cambridge Digital Library, See Below the BBC Alba Documentary "The Lost Monastery of Deer"
Ciamar nach eil Beurla agad? Scots Gaelic for: "How is it that you do not speak English?" Scottish Gaelic is now a translation option on Google Translate.
Scottish Gaelic Videos