Scottish Language

The Scots language in one volume, from the earliest records to the present day. The dictionary gives meanings of words, as well as pronunciations and etymologies and indication of where and when they are, or were, used. Concise Scots Dictionary (Scottish National Dictionary Publications).

The aim of this pocket dictionary is to provide information on the Scots language in as clear and accessible a format as possible for readers of all ages. It concentrates on the language of the present day, but also includes all the more important words current in the last two centuries. Pocket Scots Dictionary (Scottish National Dictionary Publications).

Scots, The Language of the People accompanies the four-part television series to be screened by BBC2 in early 2006. Written and presented by Carl MacDougall, the series tells the story of the Scots language from its common roots with English to the present day. Carl MacDougall has compiled an anthology which features the work of 50 writers, covering more than 800 years, from the anonymous 13th-century makars to Edwin Morgan, Tom Leonard, Adam McNaughtan and Kathleen Jamie. Our greatest writers, William Dunbar, Robert Burns, James Hogg, Sir Walter Scott, Robert Louis Stevenson and Hugh MacDiarmid, are here. Extracts from the great epic poems on Bruce and Wallace, the works of Gavin Douglas, Robert Henryson and Sir David Lyndsay, sit with anonymous ballad singers and unknown writers whose work appeared in 19th-century newspapers and magazines. The great prose pieces are included, from the 16th-century curiosities to stories by John Galt, Lewis Grassic Gibbon and Robert McLellan. Our finest poets and songwriters such as Allan Ramsay, Hamish Henderson, Marion Angus and Robert Fergusson rub shoulders with Robert Tannahill, Neil Munro, Robert Garioch and William Soutar. Each piece carries a separate introduction and the contents are arranged to make the anthology as readable as possible, showing, through living, practical examples, how the language developed and survived and how its present is healthier than ever. Scots: The Language of the People.

Scots: The Mither Tongue is a classic of contemporary Scottish culture and essential reading for those who care about their country's identity in the twenty-first century. It is a passionately written history of how the Scots have come to speak the way they do and it acted as a catalyst for radical changes in attitude towards the language. Since it was first published in 1986, it has sold 20,000 copies - testimony to the power of its argument and the style, humour and smeddum of its writing. In this completely revised edition, Kay vigorously renews the social, cultural and political debate on Scotland's linguistic future, and argues convincingly for the necessity to retain and extend Scots if the nation is to hold on to the values that have made them what they are as a people. As ever, Kay places Scots in an international context, comparing and contrasting it with other European lesser-used languages, while at home questioning the Scottish Executive's desire to pay anything more than lip service to this crucial part of our national identity. Language is central to people's existence and this vivid account celebrates the survival of Scots in its various dialects, its literature and song - a national treasure that thrives in many parts of the country and underpins the speech of everyone that calls themselves a Scot. Scots: The Mither Tongue.

The Scots Thesaurus provides a subject-by-subject guide to over 20,000 Scots words. Each subject is broken down into sub-categories for ease of access. Scots Thesaurus (Scottish National Dictionary Publications).

The latest edition to the 'Travelmates' series presents a wide range of Scots words and phrases from all parts of Scotland. It also includes food; festivals; historic events; institutions; place names; maps and drawings. A must for travellers to Scotland and Scots curious about their own language and country. The Scots Travelmate (Travelmates).