Scottish Society and Culture
'Scots and Gaelic serve as symbolic markers of Scottish identity'. Discuss.
Languages Shaping the Cultural Landscape
Scotland today, is the home to three distinct languages, all of which are spoken currently within its borders. The official speech of the country is English, however with the recent passing of the European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages, both Gaelic and Scots have been recognized as well. Gaelic is primarily spoken in the highlands of Scotland, while Scots is the language of the lowlands.1 The Scots and Gaelic languages are controversial subjects that are being presently debated in many arenas such as: education, history and heavily in the newly formed parliament. The four main political parties in the Scottish Parliament all encourage the continued integration of these minority languages into the realm of culture and education.2 The national importance of these two languages is being debated and the extent of their integration and legitimacy is a divisive topic.
For over 1500 years, Gaelic has been spoken in Scotland. It was first brought over by migrants from the kingdom of Dalriada, Northern Ireland who settled in the highlands. By the eleventh century, Gaelic was the most widespread language spoken across what is today modern-day Scotland. At this time Scotland was under the rule of a Gaelic speaking monarch, Malcolm Canmore. It was his marriage and ascension to the bride under the English house of royalty, which began the slow decline of prestige and influence of the Gaelic language. It was further put aside by the Union of Crowns under James IV of Scotland in 1603, and then in 1707 the Union of Parliaments caused the Gaelic culture to lose its legitimate claim to power and significance. The highlands have often been looked to provide the location for which Gaelic language and culture could reemerge today. The longing for a place where the aspirations of political, historical and literary autonomy could be achieved. However, the highlands have often been the setting for forced emigrations, and religious and cultural imperialisms of several kinds. In 1747, a royal decree was issued which banned the wearing of traditional Highland wardrobe, and it wasn't until two generations later that George IV visited the capital city of Edinburgh wearing the Highland dress that made it fashionable and accepted once again. Furthermore, the speaking of the Gaelic language has conventionally been prohibited with the threat of corporal punishment.3 Today, less than 2% of the population can understand and speak the Gaelic language, leaving its historical and culture significance fading as each generation passes.4
The Scots language has a strikingly similar history. It was said to have descended from Old English specifically from a northern form of it whose speakers had reached the area south of the Firth of Forth by the seventh century AD. 5 Scots was and is primarily spoken in the lowlands and prior to the 1700s was referred to as "Older Scots" and after "Modern Scots". The period from 1700 to present day saw the gradual end of Scots as a national language again because of the Union of Parliaments in 1707. During the period classified as "Modern Scots" many Scottish writers began to compose their pieces in the modern English form, and fewer and fewer of the educated classes used Scots on a regular basis. The notion came about that the Scots language was no more than an argot form of proper English, and like Gaelic slipped from the mouths of the Scottish people.6 However, there are many different dialects of Scots, which make it a unique language. Many of the regions in Scotland have adapted the language to correspond with their particular area. Five of the dialects are classified as follows:
'Scots and Gaelic serve as symbolic markers of Scottish identity'. Discuss.
Languages Shaping the Cultural Landscape
Scotland today, is the home to three distinct languages, all of which are spoken currently within its borders. The official speech of the country is English, however with the recent passing of the European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages, both Gaelic and Scots have been recognized as well. Gaelic is primarily spoken in the highlands of Scotland, while Scots is the language of the lowlands.1 The Scots and Gaelic languages are controversial subjects that are being presently debated in many arenas such as: education, history and heavily in the newly formed parliament. The four main political parties in the Scottish Parliament all encourage the continued integration of these minority languages into the realm of culture and education.2 The national importance of these two languages is being debated and the extent of their integration and legitimacy is a divisive topic.
For over 1500 years, Gaelic has been spoken in Scotland. It was first brought over by migrants from the kingdom of Dalriada, Northern Ireland who settled in the highlands. By the eleventh century, Gaelic was the most widespread language spoken across what is today modern-day Scotland. At this time Scotland was under the rule of a Gaelic speaking monarch, Malcolm Canmore. It was his marriage and ascension to the bride under the English house of royalty, which began the slow decline of prestige and influence of the Gaelic language. It was further put aside by the Union of Crowns under James IV of Scotland in 1603, and then in 1707 the Union of Parliaments caused the Gaelic culture to lose its legitimate claim to power and significance. The highlands have often been looked to provide the location for which Gaelic language and culture could reemerge today. The longing for a place where the aspirations of political, historical and literary autonomy could be achieved. However, the highlands have often been the setting for forced emigrations, and religious and cultural imperialisms of several kinds. In 1747, a royal decree was issued which banned the wearing of traditional Highland wardrobe, and it wasn't until two generations later that George IV visited the capital city of Edinburgh wearing the Highland dress that made it fashionable and accepted once again. Furthermore, the speaking of the Gaelic language has conventionally been prohibited with the threat of corporal punishment.3 Today, less than 2% of the population can understand and speak the Gaelic language, leaving its historical and culture significance fading as each generation passes.4
The Scots language has a strikingly similar history. It was said to have descended from Old English specifically from a northern form of it whose speakers had reached the area south of the Firth of Forth by the seventh century AD. 5 Scots was and is primarily spoken in the lowlands and prior to the 1700s was referred to as "Older Scots" and after "Modern Scots". The period from 1700 to present day saw the gradual end of Scots as a national language again because of the Union of Parliaments in 1707. During the period classified as "Modern Scots" many Scottish writers began to compose their pieces in the modern English form, and fewer and fewer of the educated classes used Scots on a regular basis. The notion came about that the Scots language was no more than an argot form of proper English, and like Gaelic slipped from the mouths of the Scottish people.6 However, there are many different dialects of Scots, which make it a unique language. Many of the regions in Scotland have adapted the language to correspond with their particular area. Five of the dialects are classified as follows:
