Scotland's other national tongue has been misunderstood and (officially) mistreated for centuries. Though weakened by long neglect, Scots stubbornly endures as a rich part of Scotland's everyday speech and culture. Now belatedly on the verge of official recognition, can Scots be rehabilitated as a "proper" minority language like Gaelic? Dr Clive Young, author of Unlocking Scots: The Secret Life of the Scots Language, believes so and leads you on a quest to unveil the hidden history, surprising linguistic sophistication and feasible future of the language they just couldn't silence.
I'm ready to declare it the essential book of our times for understanding our relationship with Scots - packed with real world relevance. STEVE BYRNE, Director of TRACS Scotland
The Scots language is the hidden treasure of Scottish culture. For many of us it is still how we speak to each other, how we express our feelings, our humour, even our Scottishness. It was created by millions of voices coming together to share words, phrases, jokes; to understand, act on and often laugh at the world around them.
Aye, but what exactly is ‘Scots’ anyway?
Is it still a language?
Was it ever one?
To answer these and many more questions posed by English and Scots speakers alike, Dr Clive Young sets out to uncover the secret life of Scots – the centuries of vibrant debate and unconscious bilingualism hidden beneath slang and touristy tea-towels.
From 19th-century dictionaries to Twitter rammies, Young explores the evolution, suppression, and potential revitalisation of Scots. He not only investigates its troubled past, but also looks towards the future with hope and a practical action plan that will allow everyone, however estranged from the mither tongue, to keep it hale and hearty for generations to come.
Acause if you dinna dae it, wha wull?