Notes for Parents and Teachers

History of Scots

Scots is descendit frae the language o the North East o England. Northern Auld English wis greatly influenced by the Scandinavian language o the Danish Vikings. Efter the Norman Conquest o England, a lot of Norman French words were borrowed tae. Ither words that we find in Modern Scots reflect the military, political, cultural an commercial history o Scotland - mony years' contact wi the French, the immigration of Flemish tradesmen and strang trade links wi the low countries as weel as contact wi Gaelic aa enriched the vocabulary o Scots. Scots wis aince yaised by aw social classes frae the king doon. But a nummer o factors, includin prentin, the lack o a Scots Bible, the Union o the Croons and the Union o the Pairliaments gart English tak ower frae Scots as the language o officialdom, education an social prestige. But fowk nivvir stopped speakin Scots. Noo aince mair it is recognised as ane o the languages o Scotland an the native tongue o mony Lowland Scots fowk.

For mair information see About the Scots Language and Teachers' Notes 5-14+