Modern Scots dialect 'has every right to be called a language' Study

0 Comments | Sunday Herald, The, Aug 21, 2005 | by Rachelle Money

THE academic behind one of the most significant surveys into the dialects of Britain since the 1970s claims that the way most Scots now speak is so different from the rest of the country that it is a language in its own right.

Simon Elmes, author of Talking For Britain, said: "I've gone out on a limb to say that out of all the dialects in the UK the Scots tongue has every right to be called a language.

''It's an old maxim that a language is a dialect with an army and a navy. Scotland doesn't quite have an army and a navy but it's got a parliament so it's half-way there."

Elmes's study, the release of which coincides with the BBC's Voices Week, involved 1200 people in 321 locations in England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland, and interviews with a range of people - from old miners to young gay men - in bars, industrial sites and hair salons.

The academic was particularly impressed by a group of Dundee street poets.

"The Dundonian interview blew me away. I was absolutely fascinated by these guys. They are ordinary guys off the schemes who love language and Dundee.

"Hearing them talk about gang fighting was exciting for for me as a documentary maker. It was a real snapshot of their lives in black and white. When I listened to them talk I felt it a different language from anything that could be conceived as English."

Elmes also believes it is important that regional vernacular is not corrected in the classrooms of Britain.

"Personally, I think it's perfectly acceptable to say 'aye' instead of 'yes'. If you're Scots you should. We shouldn't stifle originality.

"People say that vernacular speech is slack and lazy. It's simply not correct and it couldn't be further from the truth. It is energetic, full of sap and life. It's fantastic."

In his book, Elmes also highlights new patterns of speech coming from Afro-Caribbean and Asian communities.

He said: "Afro-Caribbean is one of the most dynamic languages coming through rap music. It has a positive charge, an impulse that is coming through the music and giving Brits a taste of new language.

"There is evidence in the survey which shows that non Afro- Caribbean Britons are using words like 'spar', 'bredren' and 'blud', which are synonyms for friend."

Elmes also cited televison as having a continual effect on what words we choose to use.

"TV is pushing Asian-English with shows like Goodness Gracious Me and The Kumars which have introduced new words into a wider arena. It wasn't so long ago 'chuddies' [underpants] became a standard, cool word to use amongst young people in Britain."

As part of his survey, Elmes asked 40 questions which required a one-word response.

One particular question - what do you call someone who is left- handed? - threw up some interesting results.

"It was extraordinary, he said.

"The volume of responses were incredible. Within a 50-mile radius in Scotland I actually counted 14 different variations for someone who is lefthanded. Some people said it was corry-handed, corriefisted, Kerrie-fisted, cloddyhanded and so on.

"It was then that I unearthed the story of Ferniehirst Castle in the Borders.

"I had never heard of a laird of Ferniehirst who was lefthanded and only ever employed left-handed knights to take their enemies in battle. All these names for left-handed came from the Kerr family who lived in the castle."

Prof Jeremy J Smith, a lecturer in sociolinguistics at Glasgow University, believes language will always be an important subject to people because of what is says about us.

"We use language today like a power suit or a twin-set and pearls. It expresses our relationship with the world, and defines us by saying we belong, or in some cases, don't belong to a particular group.

"There have been a number of studies throughout the years on dialect but much more on an academic basis. This study is one of the first to be packaged specifically for the public."

Smith added: "It's not surprising that some Scots don't even know the words they use are specific to Scotland. The differences can be so subtle. For instance you would say 'I'm going to my bed' whereas an Englishman would never say that they would say 'I'm going to bed'. The Scots lengthen vowels and use words like 'outwith' which doesn't exist elsewhere.

"The breadth of Scots is interesting too. There's even a Bob Marley song where he talks about being crabbit. This is down to the influence of Scots coming from plantations in Jamaica."

Talking For Britain: A Journey Through The Nation's Dialect, Simon Elmes, BP14.99 published by Penguin, out now rachelle. money@sundayherald. com WHO'S TALKING YOUR LANGUAGE?

Blarge, dunt, scally, slinge, steimisher Northen Irish, all meaning to hit.

Bowk, bolk, boak To retch or be sick. Recorded throughout Scotland. From Middle English "bolken".

Jonnick, jannock, jonnock, jenick Means truth. Recorded from early 19th century, it has multiple forms and is found across the west of England.

Meesy-y-mazy Cornish for confused or puzzled.

Mollycrush, mollycrosh Welsh vernacular for hitting or whacking.