Scots Language Resources
© Newbattle Abbey / SCRAN
The number of quality resources for studying Scots at all levels has grown considerably in the last few years. For example, the Scots School Dictionary by Scottish Language Dictionaries and the wonderful Itchy Coo series of books give today's teacher a better range of teaching resources than ever before. These are exciting times for the study of Scots.
The following list is a just a selection of currently available resources that the teacher may find of practical use.
General
McClure, J. Derrick. (1998) Why Scots Matters. Edinburgh: Saltire Publications.
This short and inexpensive publication is probably the best general introduction to the study of Scots.
Niven, Liz and Jackson, Robin (eds.) (1998) Scots Language: Its Place in Education. Newton Stewart: Watergaw.
Essays on the status of Scots in education by educators and Scots language specialists.
Corbett, John and McClure, J. Derrick (2003) The Edinburgh Companion to Scots. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press
An up-to-date and academically rigorous linguistic and historical overview of the Scots language.
Mercator-Education (2002) Scots: The Scots Language in education in Scotland. Ljouwert, The Netherlands: Mercator Education
One of Mercator-Education's regional dossiers on the educational status of European minority or regional languages.
Linguistic
Robinson, Christine and Crawford, Carol Ann (2001) Scotspeak; A Guide to the pronunciation of modern urban Scots Perth: Scots Language Resource Centre
Detailed phonetic information about the different pronunciations of Scots and Scottish English that exist in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen. The text is written from a linguistic and academic perspective, but the accompanying CD contains good illustrative examples of the range of accents and dialects used in Scotland.
Rennie, Susan. (1999) Grammar Broonie. Edinburgh: Polygon at Edinburgh.
An introduction to the main features of Scots grammar. It is aimed at school children, although teachers may find it of more use as a reference for themselves. Includes exercises.
Wilson, L Colin. (2002) Scots Language Learner Edinburgh: Luath Press.
A self-study course in Scots for adults. There is an accompanying CD.
Allan, Jenny. (2001) Turnstones 1 Hodder Gibson.
This secondary English textbook, specially written for Scottish schools, includes material and activities on the use of Scots.
Hershaw, William (2002) Teaching Scots Language: Staff Resources and Approaches. Dundee: Learning and Teaching Scotland
Part of the National Qualifications Curriculum Support series, this publication is aimed at teachers working with Higher and Advanced Higher pupils. However, it can be recommended to a wider readership as a very good short introduction to teaching Scots.
Purves, David. (2002) A Scots Grammar. Edinburgh: Saltire Publications
A short and lucid introduction to the grammar of Scots.
Dictionaries
Scots School Dictionary (1999) Edinburgh: Polygon at Edinburgh
The ideal starter dictionary – contains an English/Scots section which is useful for vocabulary building, creative writing and language work.
The Concise Scots Dictionary (1999) Edinburgh: Polygon at Edinburgh
Probably the best single volume Scots dictionary – more suitable for advanced users.
Anthologies
Jarvie, Gordon ed. (2001) The Kist / A'Chiste Anthology Dundee: Learning and Teaching Scotland.
The second edition of a groundbreaking anthology of Scottish texts specially chosen for the 5-14 curriculum.
Boyd, Betty and Elder, Mike (editors) (2003) A Hantle O Verse: Poems in Scots for Children. Edinburgh: NMS Enterprises Limited.
An attractive anthology of poems suitable for children.
Plays
Fitt, Matthew. Tam O Shanter's Big Night Out (2003) Edinburgh: Itchy Coo.
Short plays in various varieties of Scots, reworking and adding a modern slant on some Scottish classics.
Early Years
Whyte, Hamish and Robertson, Barbara. The Minister's Cat (1992) Edinburgh: Mercat Press
A delightfully illustrated take on an old word game using Scots words.
Rennie, Susan Sweetieraptors A Book o Scots Dinosaurs (2003) Edinburgh: Itchy Coo.
Fun rhymes about imaginary dinosaurs making expressive use of some common (and not so common) Scots words.
Rennie, Susan Animal ABC. (2003) Edinburgh: Itchy Coo
A delighfully illustrated book of rhymes in Scots, each one introducing a different letter of the alphabet.
Classroom resources
Matheson, Ann and Robertson, James. Eck the Bee. (2002) Edinburgh: Itchy Coo.
An activity book exploring Scots vocabulary and general lingustic skills written for primary classroom use.
McNiven, Liz. Haud Yer Tongue Teachers Guide. Channel 4 Learning
Excellent downloadable teachers' notes and pupil activities, based on the Channel 4 series for school exploring Scots ' Haud Yer Tongue'.
Ramsay, Alan and Philp, George Gleg (1996) Glasgow: Scotsoun
A selection of introductory texts in Scots aimed at the primary stages together with core vocabulary lists. Audio versions of all the texts are included on an accompanying cassette.
Bairnsangs: Four Scots Rhymes
A set of four A3 full colour posters. Available from the Scottish Book Trust.