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The future of the Scots language is at a crucial point. Although it
may be enjoying greater recognition, it continues to be treated with
a prevailing attitude of contempt and discrimination.
Many are prejudiced against the Scots language. Considered an inferior,
rural language, the debate continues as to how much emphasis should be
placed on the use of the language both in schools and everyday life.
But it is argued that Scots was once the state language, and its status
as one of the official languages of Scotland deserves to be maintained,
just as Gaelic and English are.
There is a case to be made for giving children an education in Scots,
if only partly. Individuals like Matthew Fitt, a keen
promoter of Scots and a National Schools Scots Language Development Officer,
aim to encourage the grass roots cultivation of Scots. He says: 'It
is not an exaggeration to say that most of today's school pupils have
difficulties understanding the writing of Robert Burns. Only the most
glaikit of individuals would not consider this a national disaster. In
all modern European countries, young people are fostered on their nation's
myths, songs and poetry. For Scotland to lay claim to being a modern
European country, it must start to take the teaching of the Scots Language
more seriously, if only to enable Scottish children to read without shame
or impediment the writing of their national bard.' Only in 1996 was Scots acknowledged in the curriculum,
but this acknowledgement is a vague and hostile one.
There is also a struggle to receive appropriate financial provision
for Scots, and for its political recognition. In 1992 Scots was finally
recognised as a minority language in a European Charter, but it continues
to be ignored by politicians who see it as a backward step when English
is one of the most important international languages. However, the Scots
Language Society, formed in 1972, and the Cross Party Group in the Scottish
Parliament are both working to promote the cause of Scots.
Scots continues to be a vital force in literature today. Matthew Fitt's But
n Ben A-Go-Go is one of the most successful and critically acclaimed
recent Scots novels, while the CD of Luath Scots Language Learner is
the bestselling item on the Luath website. There is a demand for the
Scots tongue, and it is at the heart of Scottish heritage - do we really
want to ignore that?
Books featured in this article
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But n Ben A-Go-Go by Matthew Fitt
HB ISBN
0 946487 82 0 £10.99 |
But n Ben A-Go-Go
PB ISBN 1 84282 014 1 £6.99 |
Talking with Tongues by Brian D. Finch
ISBN
1 84282 006 0 PB £8.99 |
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The Ruba'iyat of Omar Khayyam in Scots
by Rab Wilson
ISBN 1 84282 046 X PB £8.99 |
Audio CD ISBN 1 84282 070 2 £9.99 |
Scots Poems to be Read Aloud by Stuart
McHardy
ISBN 0 946487 81 2 PB £5.00 |
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The Luath Scots Language Learner by L Colin Wilson
PB £9.99 |
Double audio CD £16.99 |
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