History of Scots

Summary

Scots is one of Scotland's indigenous languages, with a rich history dating back to the Middle Ages. Once the language of state and literature, it faced decline in the 17th and 18th centuries due to English dominance. However, Scots remained resilient through ballads, poetry, and oral traditions. The 20th century saw a revival, notably through the works of Hugh MacDiarmid, and Scots has since found its place in modern media, literature, and education. Recognized by the European Commission, Scots is now celebrated in schools, broadcasting, and cultural initiatives, ensuring its future in Scotland.

Takeaways

• 😀 Scots is one of the three indigenous languages of Scotland, alongside English and Gaelic, and is spoken across mainland Scotland and the Northern Isles.
• 😀 Scots is a rich language with over 60,000 unique words and expressions, a centuries-old literature, and a history of being used by kings, politicians, and everyday people.
• 😀 The Scots language evolved during the Middle Ages, replacing Gaelic as the main spoken language in Lowland Scotland by 1450.
• 😀 Scots continued to be used in official documents and legal records until 1462, and was a language of state during the medieval period.
• 😀 Despite historical setbacks, such as King James VI's preference for English after the Union of the Crowns in 1603, Scots remained resilient and continued to thrive in literature and spoken word.
• 😀 The 18th century saw a growing prejudice against Scots, with efforts to eliminate it from written texts, such as David Hume's manuscripts, though it remained widely spoken among the Scottish people.
• 😀 Scots experienced a literary revival in the 19th century, notably with poets like Robert Burns and Sir Walter Scott, who used the language to convey authentic rural Scottish voices.
• 😀 By the 20th century, Scots was revitalized through cultural movements like the Scottish Renaissance, led by figures like Hugh MacDiarmid, and saw increased use in music, drama, and literature.
• 😀 Scots language has enjoyed recognition in modern media, including BBC radio broadcasts, a Scots language podcast, and translations of major works like Roald Dahl's and Julia Donaldson's books.
• 😀 The Scots language is now supported by government policies, educational curricula, and growing use in advertising, signage, and daily communication, with strong optimism for its continued use and preservation.