Saturday, October 27, 2012

A Language Lesson: Scots

The country of Scotland has 3 official languages- Scottish English, Scots, and Scottish Gaelic.  Well, Scottish Gaelic is a bit advanced for us but sounds so ancient.  Scottish English is mostly the same as any English but with different regional words spoken with a Scottish accent.  Here's a cute video with some of the common words used- You tube Scottish Alphabet.  Now Scots uses some words you'd be familiar with and many words unique to the language, it's very hard to understand, even for some who speak it, because many words chang depending on what part of the country you are in.  I found a You Tube Scots example and found it sooooo hard to understand.  Here are a few words -

brae- hill      breeks- pants     loon- boy        quine- girl       neb- nose        een-eyes           lug- ear
                               
                                     ane leid is ne'er enough - one language is ne'er enough

Hope you had fun in Scotland!  For more Scottish fun you could watch the movie Brave when it comes out on DVD.  Haven't seen it but I'm told it's great.  Not sure where our next journey is going to be - any ideas???  Next week is Halloween so it's going to be busy (and spooky and FUN!)   Bye.