Study of Scots language

28 Jan 2009 10:23 AM

The first ever audit of current provision for the Scots language was published yesterday. The research recognises the 'potential cultural and economic benefits' linked to wider promotion of the language. Commissioned by the Scottish Government, the audit identifies where provision currently exists, who the providers are, where there are gaps, and what opportunities may exist to expand provision in Scotland.

In recognition of the importance of the Scots language to Scotland's cultural heritage and national identity, the Scottish Government has previously given commitments to promote awareness of the Scots language and its literature, and to actively encourage the use of Scots in education, broadcasting and the arts.

The audit findings will be discussed with members of the Scots language community at a conference in Stirling next month in which Minister for Culture Linda Fabiani and Minister for Schools and Skills Maureen Watt will be participating. The event will be led by the broadcaster and advocate for the Scots language Billy Kay.

Welcoming publication of the audit, Linda Fabiani said:

"The audit shows that the Scots language is a diverse and distinctive asset, and there should be no doubt that it is an integral part of Scotland's culture and national identity. As we celebrate Homecoming Scotland 2009 and the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns, who of course wrote in Scots, the Scottish Government intends to capitalise upon the Scots language as a cultural and economic asset, and will consider how it can be further developed and promoted at home and abroad for social and economic gain.

"Tourism plays an important part in Scotland's economy, and we want to look at ways in which better promotion of Scots and its heritage has potential to generate further economic opportunities.

"In undertaking this research we wanted to get a snapshot of who is doing what for the Scots language and where. The audit shows a wide range of individuals and organisations across Scotland providing services that facilitate and promote the use of Scots. But it also sounds a warning that support for Scots is in some instances fragile with a great deal of provision dependent on the dedication and hard work of a few individuals; much of that work being done on a voluntary basis.

"This is the first step in a process to consider the arrangements required to develop provision and planning for the Scots language. I look forward to discussing this audit with those actively involved, and to identifying how we ensure Scots is effectively supported."

Billy Kay said:

"The Scots language has for too long been the bonnie broukit bairn, the beautiful neglected child of Scottish culture, yet it is the language in which much of our history and much of our greatest literature is written. It is the medium of contemporary theatre, of brilliant comedy, of traditional folklore and song. It is the everyday language of hundreds of thousand of Scots and influences the speech of everyone living in Scotland today. Like all living things though, it needs to be nurtured, cherished and supported as a crucial strand in what makes us Scottish.

"I welcome the Scottish Government's audit and the opportunity the conference presents to discuss its findings with civic Scotland. It will be a fitting and lasting legacy of the Burns 250th celebrations if we take significant steps toward restoring Scots to its rightful place at the centre of our national culture."

The conference to discuss this audit will be held at University of Stirling on February 9, 2009. There will be a media opportunity ahead of the conference - details will follow in advance of the event.

The audit was undertaken between April and October 2008. While every effort was made to record as much provision as possible during the research period, the audit is not exhaustive and does not capture every single piece of Scots language provision, but does provide a baseline from which to work in the future.

General Registers of Scotland is currently testing a question on the Scots language for inclusion within the 2011 census.

Related Information

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/01/23133726/0

http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/census/censushm2011/index.html