Scots Language Makeover for Loved Literature
In celebration of Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022, Visit Scotland has teamed up with Scots expert and writer Alistair Heather to translate the first lines of some of the world’s most popular books
Article Source: Visit Scotland
Last Updated: 27 June 2022 10:03
SCOTS LANGUAGE MAKEOVER FOR LOVED LITERATURE
VisitScotland is celebrating the Year of Stories, which celebrates the wealth of stories inspired by, written or created in Scotland. In this Year of Stories, VisitScotland has taken iconic books inspired by Scotland or written in Scotland and translated the first lines into Scots - one of Scotland's vibrant languages.
The national tourism organisation has teamed up with Scots expert and writer Alistair Heather to translate the first lines of some of the world's most acclaimed books. Including Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart, Dracula by Bram Stoker, Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell, Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, Peter Pan by JM Barrie, and Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets by JK Rowling.
From icons of literature to local tales, Scotland's Year of Stories encourages locals and visitors to experience a diversity of voices and explore the cultures connected to all forms of Scottish stories.
The project is titled ‘Braw Beginnings’, and hosted on VisitScotland.com, the translations focus on novels with existing Scottish ties, whether the authors drew inspiration for their works in the country, lived in Scotland or perhaps, are Scottish themselves. VisitScotland’s designers have also reimagined what a scene from each book might look like – a sound clip of the Scots translation can be listened to on the website.
There’s far more to the Scots language than “aye’s”, “naw’s”, and “dinnae kens”. In fact, not only is Scots the most widely spoken indigenous language in Scotland, but it is also the last minority language in the UK, with speakers of 1.5 million (according to the 2011 Scottish Census) despite not being standardised. That’s over a quarter of the Scottish population. Another 267,000 people said they ‘could understand Scots but not read, write or speak the language’.
‘Braw Beginnings’ offers the world a taste of Scots, and uses literature to show the verve and passion of a language spoken across Scotland and beyond. Several well-known novels have previously been fully translated in Scots including The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson and Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by JK Rowling, showing how the language could have a wider appeal beyond Scotland’s borders.
Inspiration for the project came from Scottish Twitter, which has acquired the attention of users worldwide due to its quick wit and to-the-point storytelling. It’s been argued that Twitter is partially responsible for the revival of the Scots language in the 21st century, allowing Scots to become a widespread written language once again.
Alistair Heather said (in Scots): “This project is fun. It gies us a fresh way of looking at the literature we ken well. And it gies us a chance tae enjoy wir Scots tongue in a new environment. It’s a re-exploration.
“We’ve a lot to be proud of here. Two things I love introducing visitors and newcomers to Scotland to are our literature and the joy of the Scots language. This project emphasises both. Hopefully folk enjoy it and enjoy discovering how much great writing has Scottish connections!”
“A love of literature and a complex multilingualism has marked oot Scotland for centuries. In the thoosan years since we’ve existed, the language o state has been Gaelic, Scots, then English. Aw three contribute to wir history, wir present and wir literature.
“As mair an mair o the world’s classic literature finds its wey intae Scots (Animal Farm will soon be oot in Scots, tae join titles like Harry Potter, O Mice and Men, the Odyssey) it’s right that we celebrate baith the great books that’ve been produced in Scotland, and ane o the languages its produced in.”
Marie Christie, VisitScotland Head of Events Development, said: “Scots is an important part of our history and culture with rich oral traditions still very much alive in song, drama and storytelling.
“This project sees some of the world’s best-known books with Scottish links translated into Scots as a way to showcase the language to an even wider audience. We hope it will encourage visitors to try speaking some Scots and find out more about the language when holidaying here, especially during Scotland’s Year of Stories.
“Scots and the country’s other languages are all part of our unique culture which can only truly be experienced in Scotland, strengthening the experience we know means so much to visitors.”
The full list of translations can be found https://www.visitscotland.com/blog/culture/scots-language-braw-beginnings
Sponsored Links
Latest Renfrewshire News
First Minister John Swinney launches the Doddie Aid 2025 campaign
Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney launches the Doddie Aid 2025 campaign at Murrayfield stadium.
READ MORE
Christmas is officially here... the IRN BRU Carnival launches for the festive season
Today, Friday 20 December, the IRN-BRU Carnival officially opens to the public, bringing all the fun of the fair to Glasgow's SEC for the 105th year!
READ MORE
Wicked fans in Scotland invited to special Sing Along screenings at Vue this Boxing Day
After becoming one of the most popular big screen releases of 2024, Vue is excited to announce that an extra special sing-along version of Wicked is heading to the big screen this Boxing Day.
READ MORE
Funding win marks anniversary of Mackintosh acquisition
A generous package of funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund has been pledged to the National Trust for Scotland to celebrate the genius of Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Margaret Macdonald.
READ MORE
ACCORD Hospice Art Exhibition returns to The Art Department for 2025
ACCORD Hospice and The Art Department are announcing the call for entries for the annual exhibition which takes place for a 4th year in The Art Department.
READ MORE
Braehead Shopping Centre celebrates 10 new openings in 2024
Braehead Shopping Centre has had an incredible year in 2024, marked by a wave of exciting new stores that have reinforced its position as one of Scotland's leading shopping destinations.
READ MORE
Caledonian Sleeper announces winners of photography competition celebrating UK beauty spots
Caledonian Sleeper has announced the winners of its photography competition aimed at celebrating the country's most scenic locations on the overnight train's iconic route.
READ MORE
Garden Centre invites budding indoor gardeners to its stores
Dobbies Garden Centres is kicking off the new year on a green note, offering two free workshops at its Scottish stores this January.
READ MORE
Ticketmaster announces Breakthrough 2025 list
Ticketmaster has unveiled its much-anticipated Breakthrough 2025 list, highlighting the brightest up-and-coming stars set to shape the live music scene in 2025.
READ MORE
Blooming Fabulous! The Scottish Garden Festival arrives in 2025!
This family-friendly festival takes place in the spacious and scenic Hamilton Park Racecourse, offering a perfect setting for all ages to enjoy.
READ MORE
Biffy Clyro, Young Fathers & Callum Beattie among winners at inaugural Scottish Live Music Awards
The Scottish Live Music Awards (SLMA) celebrated the best of Scotland's vibrant live music scene on Thursday night during a prestigious ceremony at Glasgow's Classic Grand Ballroom.
READ MORE
Dogstar Theatre brings Gideon Mack from page to stage
James Robertson's 2006 best-selling novel will be brought to life in early 2025 with a stage adaptation of The Testament of Gideon Mack from Dogstar Theatre Company.
READ MORE
Iconic soft drink is hitting the road with the festive truck the nation has been waiting for
The battle of festive cola trucks has already kicked off between Lidl and Coke - but now the country's most iconic soft drink, IRN-BRU, has joined in!
READ MORE
itison founder calls for action to help children who will have nothing this winter
Founder of Scottish business, itison, Oli Norman, has spoken out about the 'devastating' level of poverty in Scotland this festive season.
READ MORE
Splash into 2025 with New Year challenge to transform lives
A unique swimming challenge is inviting swimmers to set personal goals and raise funds for a life-changing hydrotherapy pool on behalf of leading disability charity, Capability Scotland.
READ MORE
Coffeeshop Tinderbox celebrates first anniversary at Braehead Shopping Centre with Golden Cup Giveaway
This Sunday, 8th December, sees the first anniversary of Tinderbox coffee shop at Braehead Shopping Centre, located in lower level food mall.
READ MORE
Cold water reset retreats with Sophie Hellyer debut at Marine Troon
Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts launches new series - 'Adventure weekends with Marine & Lawn'.
READ MORE
Double charity boost from Glasgow Clan
Ice hockey fans will get the chance to do their bit to help the less well-off by donating food items and toys at Glasgow Clan games this weekend.
READ MORE
Winners announced in Provost Christmas Card Competition
Three lucky Renfrewshire school children have had their artwork selected to be made into Christmas cards through the Provost’s Christmas Card competition.
READ MORE
Crowds take to Paisley High Street to Reclaim the Night
Hundreds of women and men took to the streets of Paisley to call for an end to violence against women and girls.
READ MORE
Enjoy the best of Belfast at Christmas with Stena Line
A beautiful city with a rich history and a giant adventure to be found around every corner, there is no shortage of incredible festive experiences to enjoy in Belfast.
READ MORE
Scottish artist Jasleen Kaur wins Turner Prize 2024
Jasleen Kaur, whose exhibition Alter Altar at Tramway uses a vintage Ford Escort, worship bells and Irn-Bru to celebrate the Scottish Sikh community, has won this year's Turner Prize.
READ MORE
TRNSMT reveals superstar first acts for Glasgow Green 2025
50 Cent, Biffy Clyro, Snow Patrol, The Script, Fontaines D.C. and Gracie Abrams are included among the much-anticipated first wave of artists announced for Scotland's biggest music event.
READ MORE
Johnstone lights up for Christmas 2024
Crowds turned out in Johnstone's Houstoun Square on Saturday to see the town’s Christmas lights switched on for 2024.
READ MORE
Winners of the Paisley First Best Dressed Christmas Window Competition are announced
The results are in for this year's Paisley's Best Dressed Christmas Window Competition!
READ MORE
Christmas in Paisley gets underway with a sleigh load of family fun on offer this winter
The countdown to Christmas is on as Paisley's ice-rink and funfair opened their doors last night to kick off a month-long programme of festive activity taking place across the town centre.
READ MORE
Loch Lomond Shores Christmas Festival is a Christmas cracker this year!
A family rollercoaster, giant snow globe, children's rides, stalls, street food and a packed live entertainment schedule makes Loch Lomond Shores FREE Christmas festival the perfect Christmas day out!
READ MORE
Brewer gives away free pints to celebrate mockumentary launch
Scottish brewer Innis & Gunn lifts the lid on the beer industry with a mockumentary starring real employees and comedians Paul Dockery and Katie McKenzie.
READ MORE
Christmas tree season arrives at Dobbies
Dobbies Garden Centres is marking the official start of the 2024 festive season with its delivery of 50,000 real Christmas trees, available at stores across the UK now.
READ MORE
Glasgow music festival The Reeling announces extended 2025 dates and performances from Dougie Maclean, Eddi Reader and Valtos
A popular trad music festival is set to return in 2025 – and it's adding an extra night due to demand!
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links