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The Guid Scots Tongue The Guid Scots Tongue 10/25 10/25 --Standardization of --Standardization of English English --Highlands and --Highlands and Lowlands Scotland Lowlands Scotland

The Guid Scots Tongue 10/25 --Standardization of English --Highlands and Lowlands Scotland

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The Guid Scots TongueThe Guid Scots Tongue10/2510/25

--Standardization of English--Standardization of English--Highlands and Lowlands --Highlands and Lowlands ScotlandScotland

The state of English in the 17The state of English in the 17thth CenturyCentury

Writers experimenting with English lead to the Writers experimenting with English lead to the belief that the language (word belief that the language (word coinages/spelling/grammar was getting out of coinages/spelling/grammar was getting out of hand.hand.

““How barbarously we yet write and speak.” How barbarously we yet write and speak.” --John Dryden--John Dryden

This resulted in the belief that an unrulyThis resulted in the belief that an unrulyLanguage was reflective of an unruly society.Language was reflective of an unruly society.

Scientific and political advancements in Scientific and political advancements in the 17the 17thth century had a strong impact on century had a strong impact on vocabulary.vocabulary.

The belief that Latin was a pure language The belief that Latin was a pure language not subject to changenot subject to change

Swift: Swift: A Proposal for Correcting, Improving and A Proposal for Correcting, Improving and Ascertaining the English Tongue (Ascertaining the English Tongue (1712)1712)

My Lord; I do here in the Name of all the Learned My Lord; I do here in the Name of all the Learned and Polite Persons of the Nation, complain to your and Polite Persons of the Nation, complain to your Lordship, as Lordship, as First MinisterFirst Minister, the our Language is , the our Language is extremely imperfect; that its daily Improvements extremely imperfect; that its daily Improvements are by no means in proportion to its daily are by no means in proportion to its daily Corruptions; and the Pretenders to polish and Corruptions; and the Pretenders to polish and refine it, have chiefly multiplied Abuses and refine it, have chiefly multiplied Abuses and Absurdities; and, that in many Instances, it offends Absurdities; and, that in many Instances, it offends against every Part of Grammar. against every Part of Grammar.

Dictionaries in EnglishDictionaries in English

Few who see or read a play by Shakespeare Few who see or read a play by Shakespeare

realize that he wrote without access to an realize that he wrote without access to an

English dictionary as we know it. At his English dictionary as we know it. At his

death in 1616, the only lexicons serving death in 1616, the only lexicons serving

English were Edmund Coote's brief list of English were Edmund Coote's brief list of

1,368 words in his 1,368 words in his English SchoolmasterEnglish Schoolmaster

(1596) and Robert Cawdrey's list of 2,543 hard (1596) and Robert Cawdrey's list of 2,543 hard

words in his words in his Table AlphabeticallTable Alphabeticall (1604). (1604).

The first full English-only dictionary, by The first full English-only dictionary, by Thomas Blount (1656)Thomas Blount (1656)

Samuel Johnson, a famous poet and critic Samuel Johnson, a famous poet and critic as well as a lexicographer, published his as well as a lexicographer, published his dictionary in two volumes in 1755 and it dictionary in two volumes in 1755 and it immediately set the standard of English immediately set the standard of English lexicography. lexicography.

Samuel JohnsonSamuel Johnson

Johnson's dictionary (over 40,000 words) Johnson's dictionary (over 40,000 words)

offered what was by far the most detailed, offered what was by far the most detailed,

orderly, and comprehensive description of orderly, and comprehensive description of

the English language to date, and it the English language to date, and it

remained so for many years. remained so for many years.

In addition to his In addition to his DictionaryDictionary and the and the

philosophical romance of THE PRINCE OF philosophical romance of THE PRINCE OF

ABYSSINIA (1759, later known as ABYSSINIA (1759, later known as

RASSELAS), Johnson published essays in RASSELAS), Johnson published essays in

The Adventurer The Adventurer (1752-54) and (1752-54) and The IdlerThe Idler

(1758-60). (1758-60).

The new monarch George III awarded The new monarch George III awarded Johnson in 1762 an annual pension, which Johnson in 1762 an annual pension, which improved his circumstances. He spent his improved his circumstances. He spent his time in coffee houses in conversation and in time in coffee houses in conversation and in idleness. In 1763 he met the young Scot Jamesidleness. In 1763 he met the young Scot JamesBoswell, who became his biographer and with Boswell, who became his biographer and with whom he formed one of the most famous whom he formed one of the most famous friendships in literary history. With Boswell he friendships in literary history. With Boswell he traveled in 1773 in Scotland and published his observations traveled in 1773 in Scotland and published his observations in A JOURNEY TO THE WESTERN ISLANDS OF in A JOURNEY TO THE WESTERN ISLANDS OF SCOTLAND (1775). SCOTLAND (1775).

ScotlandScotland

Scotland is a nation in northwest EuropeScotland is a nation in northwest Europeand is a constituent country of the United and is a constituent country of the United Kingdom. It occupies the northern Third of Kingdom. It occupies the northern Third of Great Britain and shares a land border ti the Great Britain and shares a land border ti the south with England and it bounded by the south with England and it bounded by the North Sea on the east and the Atlantic North Sea on the east and the Atlantic Ocean on the west. The capital of Scotland Ocean on the west. The capital of Scotland is Edinburgh.is Edinburgh.

Map of ScotlandMap of Scotland

English in ScotlandEnglish in Scotland

The majority of Scotland's population speak The majority of Scotland's population speak

English, a consequence of England's English, a consequence of England's

political and cultural domination. But there political and cultural domination. But there

are two other - lesser known - languages are two other - lesser known - languages

that have been there far longer, and they are that have been there far longer, and they are

still there—Gaelic and Scots.still there—Gaelic and Scots.

Scots in the lowlands adopting English of Scots in the lowlands adopting English of the south, Scots in the Highlands had a the south, Scots in the Highlands had a more Gaelic identity.more Gaelic identity.

Highland Scots suffered a great blow in Highland Scots suffered a great blow in the Jacobite Uprising.the Jacobite Uprising.

Highlands and LowlandsHighlands and Lowlands

Bonnie Prince Charles and the Bonnie Prince Charles and the JacobitesJacobites

The Jacobites got to within 130 miles of The Jacobites got to within 130 miles of

London, but at Derby fell to fighting London, but at Derby fell to fighting

amongst each other. Without support amongst each other. Without support

from the Scottish lowlands or England, from the Scottish lowlands or England,

and with a promised French force never and with a promised French force never

materializing, they were forced to retreat.materializing, they were forced to retreat.

After the failure of the 1745 Rising, the chief After the failure of the 1745 Rising, the chief poet and propagandist of the movement, poet and propagandist of the movement, Alexander MacDonald (or Alasdair mac Alexander MacDonald (or Alasdair mac Mhaighstir Alasdair as he is known in Gaelic) Mhaighstir Alasdair as he is known in Gaelic) wrote:wrote:

O poor Scotland, are you not ashamed of what has O poor Scotland, are you not ashamed of what has

happened to you - a mere handful of Gaels left to happened to you - a mere handful of Gaels left to

engage the enemy? Will you not summon your engage the enemy? Will you not summon your

mighty strength, o progeny of Scota of the swords?mighty strength, o progeny of Scota of the swords?

This defeat left the Highlanders to be viewed This defeat left the Highlanders to be viewed as “Second-class citizens”as “Second-class citizens”

The defeat influenced the persecution of the The defeat influenced the persecution of the

Highland Scots and their associated Highland Scots and their associated

language (Scots Gaelic)language (Scots Gaelic)

Gaelic Gaelic

A thousand years ago the majority of the A thousand years ago the majority of the

Scottish population spoke Gaelic. Nowadays Scottish population spoke Gaelic. Nowadays

the language has largely been reduced to the language has largely been reduced to

the Highlands and Islands. By the latest the Highlands and Islands. By the latest

census in 1991 the language was brought census in 1991 the language was brought

down to 66,000, around 1.5% of a population down to 66,000, around 1.5% of a population

of over 5+ million. Furthermore, the of over 5+ million. Furthermore, the

66,000 speakers are mainly the elderly,66,000 speakers are mainly the elderly,

Gaelic is a very endangered language. But during the last Gaelic is a very endangered language. But during the last 20 years it has experienced a revival which is part of the 20 years it has experienced a revival which is part of the rising awareness - or creation of - a separate Scottish rising awareness - or creation of - a separate Scottish identity. Pop and rock stars sing in Gaelic, all the political identity. Pop and rock stars sing in Gaelic, all the political parties want to protect Gaelic. There is a growing parties want to protect Gaelic. There is a growing movement for Scottish Kindergartens/Pre-schools. Many movement for Scottish Kindergartens/Pre-schools. Many schools now teach what was once a proscribed language schools now teach what was once a proscribed language and TV and radio broadcast in Gaelic. Together with tartan and TV and radio broadcast in Gaelic. Together with tartan and whisky and bagpipes Gaelic is part of the romantic and whisky and bagpipes Gaelic is part of the romantic Scottish myth, and most Scots believe it is Scotland's Scottish myth, and most Scots believe it is Scotland's aboriginal language. They also believe it is impossibly aboriginal language. They also believe it is impossibly difficult. difficult.

Gaelic is an English word for any of three languages Gaelic is an English word for any of three languages Which form one half of the Celtic language family group. Which form one half of the Celtic language family group. These three Gaelic languages are These three Gaelic languages are

– Irish Gaelic Irish Gaelic GaeilgeGaeilge – Manx Gaelic Manx Gaelic GailckGailck – Scottish Gaelic Scottish Gaelic GàidhligGàidhlig

These three languages are spoken in Ireland, Man and These three languages are spoken in Ireland, Man and Scotland. Scotland.

Scots GaelicScots Gaelic

Tha mi sona.               Tha mi sona.               I am happy. I am happy. Tha iad beag.              Tha iad beag.              They are little. They are little. Tha e mór.               Tha e mór.                He is big. He is big. Tha sinn òg.               Tha sinn òg.               We are young. We are young.

"Tha mi fallain, tha mi òg"        "I am healthy, "Tha mi fallain, tha mi òg"        "I am healthy, I am young" I am young"

As Gaelic had been driven from the national As Gaelic had been driven from the national

institutions of Scotland, it ceased to have institutions of Scotland, it ceased to have

significance in national identity. Scottish significance in national identity. Scottish

Gaeldom reoriented itself back towards Gaeldom reoriented itself back towards

Ireland, and away from the estranged Ireland, and away from the estranged

central government. central government.

ScotsScots

This language is originally northern form of This language is originally northern form of English due to migrations of feudal lords.English due to migrations of feudal lords.

The feudal movement in Scotland was The feudal movement in Scotland was accelerated by King David, who had spent his accelerated by King David, who had spent his adolescence at the English court. When David adolescence at the English court. When David assumed the Scottish throne in 1124, he assumed the Scottish throne in 1124, he ushered in further church reform, feudal land ushered in further church reform, feudal land grants and the establishment of royal burghs. grants and the establishment of royal burghs. The new parish system was often closely related The new parish system was often closely related to feudal land grants, making it function as part to feudal land grants, making it function as part of the policy of royal control and consolidation.of the policy of royal control and consolidation.

Scots Tung Hame PageScots Tung Hame Page

Walcome tae the new wabsite o Scots Tung, the yin that tells ye Walcome tae the new wabsite o Scots Tung, the yin that tells ye a guid Scots tung in yer heid’s nae guid if yer mooth’s ower a guid Scots tung in yer heid’s nae guid if yer mooth’s ower blate tae yaise it. If ye’re a native Scots speaker, try an get blate tae yaise it. If ye’re a native Scots speaker, try an get yaised tae seein the language ye speak every day in its written yaised tae seein the language ye speak every day in its written form athin thae pages.form athin thae pages.

Ye might hiv been telt bi yer teacher an bi ithers that whit ye Ye might hiv been telt bi yer teacher an bi ithers that whit ye speak is juist a local slang or even an ill-moothit kind o English speak is juist a local slang or even an ill-moothit kind o English but it’s no. It’s Scots aw right! There mony kinds o Scots that but it’s no. It’s Scots aw right! There mony kinds o Scots that depends maistly on whare ye bide an they’re aw dialects o depends maistly on whare ye bide an they’re aw dialects o Scots. Nane o them is dialects o English. Aboot twa thirds o the Scots. Nane o them is dialects o English. Aboot twa thirds o the words in a guid Scots text is words that the English language words in a guid Scots text is words that the English language shares wi Scots. Baith thae languages acquired thae words shares wi Scots. Baith thae languages acquired thae words maistly aboot the same time an baith his an equal right tae maistly aboot the same time an baith his an equal right tae yaise them an cry them their ain.yaise them an cry them their ain.

Polarization between Lowlands and Polarization between Lowlands and HighlandsHighlandsThe manners and customs of the Scots vary with The manners and customs of the Scots vary with the diversity of their speech. For two languages are spoken the diversity of their speech. For two languages are spoken amongst them, the Scottish and the Teutonic; the latter of amongst them, the Scottish and the Teutonic; the latter of which is the language of those who occupy the seaboard which is the language of those who occupy the seaboard and plains, while the race of Scottish speech inhabits the and plains, while the race of Scottish speech inhabits the Highlands and outlying islands. The people of the coast are Highlands and outlying islands. The people of the coast are of domestic and civilized habits ... The Highlanders and of domestic and civilized habits ... The Highlanders and people of the islands, on the other hand, are a savage and people of the islands, on the other hand, are a savage and untamed race, rude and independent, given to rapine, untamed race, rude and independent, given to rapine, ease-loving ... hostile to the English people and language ease-loving ... hostile to the English people and language ... and exceedingly cruel. (John of Fordun c. 1380)... and exceedingly cruel. (John of Fordun c. 1380)

The Highlanders, again, regarded the Lowlanders The Highlanders, again, regarded the Lowlanders as a very inferior mongrel race of intruders, sons of as a very inferior mongrel race of intruders, sons of little men, without heroism, without ancestry, or little men, without heroism, without ancestry, or genius ... who could neither sleep upon the snow, genius ... who could neither sleep upon the snow, compose extempore songs, recite long tales of compose extempore songs, recite long tales of wonder or of woe, or live without bread and without wonder or of woe, or live without bread and without shelter for weeks together, following the chace. shelter for weeks together, following the chace. Whatever was mean or effeminate, whatever was Whatever was mean or effeminate, whatever was dull, slow, mechanical, or torpid, was in the Highlands dull, slow, mechanical, or torpid, was in the Highlands imputed to the Lowlanders, and exemplified by allusions to imputed to the Lowlanders, and exemplified by allusions to them... (Grant of Lagan,1811) them... (Grant of Lagan,1811)

QuestionsQuestions

1.1. Do you think that a language should be able to Do you think that a language should be able to change over time? Why or why not?change over time? Why or why not?

2.2. What was the significance of Samuel What was the significance of Samuel Johnson’s dictionary?Johnson’s dictionary?

3.3. Why is there a difference between Scots and Why is there a difference between Scots and Scots Gaelic? Scots Gaelic?

4.4. What parallels do you see between the fate of What parallels do you see between the fate of language in Scotland and the fate of non-language in Scotland and the fate of non-standard languages in the United states?standard languages in the United states?