The Scottish Language

One thing that has always fascinated me is the lack of knowledge by most people of the existence of the Scottish Language. And that as English speakers most of us could become quickly fluent in it. Scottish being closer to English than Spanish to Italian, German to Dutch or Czech to Polish.

Edited by Paul - 19-Aug-2006 at 09:04

Edited by Paul - 19-Aug-2006 at 11:58

I have always loved the Scottish language. It is wierd because it is so similar to English. I first read Scots when I read an old Jacobite song "Heigh Johnnie Cope, Are Ye Waukin' Yet?". And then I also read some of Burns. It is very similar to Northumbrian, and it is an Anglo-Norse dialect, the reason it is so similar to English. Aye, then there's auld Scots Gaelic, overestimated a wee bit, ye noo. Ony fifta' thoosan' speak it to begin wi'. Yinz noo what I'm talkin' aboot. Really, the only reason Gaelic is considered the "Scottish language" is because of the popularity of Highland culture. It is probably spoken heavily in the Highlands, but in the rest of Scotland, Scottish is more dominant.

I remember on the movie We Were Soldiers, there was a song in Scots in one scene.

Original Scottish Version
Lay me doon in the caul caul groon
Whaur afore monie mair huv gaun
Lay me doon in the caul caul groon
Whaur afore monie mair huv gaun

When they come a wull staun ma groon
Staun ma groon al nae be afraid

Thoughts awe hame tak awa ma fear
Sweat an bluid hide ma veil awe tears

Ains a year say a prayer faur me
Close yir een an remember me

Nair mair shall a see the sun
For a fell tae a Germans gun

Lay me doon in the caul caul groon
Whaur afore monie mair huv gaun

Lay me doon in the caul caul groon
Whaur afore monie mair huv gaun

Whaur afore monie mair huv gaun


English Translation
Lay me down in the cold cold ground
Where before many more have gone
Lay me down in the cold cold ground
Where before many more have gone

When they come I will stand my ground
Stand my ground I�ll not be afraid

Thoughts of home take away my fear
Sweat and blood hide my veil of tears

Once a year say a prayer for me
Close your eyes and remember me

Never more shall I see the sun
For I fell to a Germans gun

Lay me down in the cold cold ground
Where before many more have gone
Lay me down in the cold cold ground
Where before many more have gone

Where before many more have gone

(In memory of Sgt. Charles Stuart MacKenzie
Seaforth Highlanders)

It is good to see that the Scottish English dialect  is still preserved  in Britain.   I hope that that the younger generation continues to preserve it.     

Actualy i would like to learn some scotish For ex. How do you say: Hi, How are you? Fine in Scotish language?

there was a comedy i use to love, when i lived in england about 15 years ago that was basically in that dilaect or bloody close. dunno the name but had a fat man in a netted singlet and two sons.

Originally posted by Leonidas there was a comedy i use to love, when i lived in england about 15 years ago that was basically in that dilaect or bloody close. dunno the name but had a fat man in a netted singlet and two sons.

Originally posted by Zagros Barbarossa, you almost have it, but u need to be more consistant! "mah" i/o "me" and "ye" i/o "ya"

That is the one thing that always confuses me.

here are some links in the scots language.