Mither’s Doric Blog

We introduce Marguerite Cruickshank, who will write for us in Doric. We believe in supporting the dialects and languages of local people and Marguerite is passionate about the Scots language. She has petitioned parliament for it to be included on the national census in 2011 and her shop in Keith, Mither Tongue, sells products which promote it. Here, she introduces herself.

Introduction

Four wee pynts, first of aa . .

1. A wid like tae thank Moray Firth Live for the opportunity tae write this Doric Blog an hope ye’ll find it interestin informative an (whiles) entertainin!
2. A dinna consider masel an expert, although in regular contact wi fowk that are, so if there’s oniethin A need tae ken, A can speir.
3. Fin A spik up for Scots, it’s nae a political statement, bit a cultural ane.
4. A’m nae writer, bit will gie it ma best shot!

A wee introduction

Ma name’s Marguerite Cruickshank (although answer tae onie variation – Margaret, Margie, Maggie or sic like). A rin a wee business in Keith cried Mither Tongue inspired bi Scotland, the Scots language an Rabbie Burns – hame / internet-based for 10 year or so, bit since October 09, fae a wee shoppie in Keith, half wye atween Aiberdeen an Inverness.

Some Background Info

Like maist o ma generation (born 1946) A wis educatit tae believe that fit A spoke wis either slang or a corruption o English, and it wisnae until the beginnin o 2001 that A wis made aware that that’s nae the case – Scots an English come fae the same linguistic root, bit developed separately, wi roun aboot 2/3 o wirds bein common tae baith.

Tae view a Dialects Map o Scotland, click here
http://www.mithertongue.com/shop.php?view=page&page=120

Tae read a condensed, illustrated history o Scots, click here
http://www.mithertongue.com/shop.php?view=page&page=67

Thanks tae a Cognitive Survey cerried oot bi the General Register Office for Scotland in 1996, it wis discovered that aroun 1.5 million (30% o the population) cwid spik Scots, although sae far, nae official figure exists as the question hisnae been speirt in previous Census questionnaires. Promises were made an broken afore the 2001Census, and language enthusiasts are wirking hard tae mak siccar that history disnae repeat itsel in 2011. Will keep ye posted on fit’s happenin.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

Introduction

Firstly, four small points . .

1. I would like to thank Moray Firth Live for the opportunity to write this Doric Blog and hope you’ll find it interesting, informative and (sometimes) entertaining!
2. I don’t consider myself an expert, although in regular contact with people who are, so if there’s anything I need to know, I can find out.
3. When I speak up for Scots, it’s not a political statement, but a cultural one.
4. I’m no writer, by any stretch of the imagination, but will give it my best shot!

Please let me introduce myself.

My name’s Marguerite Cruickshank (although answer to any variation – Margaret, Maggie, Margie etc). I run a small business in Keith – Mither Tongue – inspired by Scotland, the Scots language and Robert Burns. Home/internet based for approx 10 years and, since October 2009, from retail premises in Keith, midway between Aberdeen and Inverness.

Some Background Info

Like most of my generation (born 1946) I was educated to believe that what I spoke was slang or a corruption of English, and it wasn’t until the beginning of 2001 that I was made aware that that is not the case – Scots and English come from the same linguistic root, but developed separately, with approximately 2/3 of words being common to both.

To view a Dialects Map of Scotland, click here
http://www.mithertongue.com/shop.php?view=page&page=120

To read a condensed, illustrated history of Scots, click here
http://www.mithertongue.com/shop.php?view=page&page=67

Thanks to a Cognitive Survey carried out by the General Register Office for Scotland in 1996, it was discovered that approximately 1.5 million (30% of the population) could speak Scots, although to date, no official figure exists as the question has not been asked in previous Census questionnaires. Promises were made and broken prior to the 2011 Census, and language enthusiasts are working hard to make sure that history doesn’t repeat itself in 2011. Watch this space to keep abreast of developments!

Keyword related articles:

1. Moray lawyer launches Doric Ditties
2. Pupils recite Doric poems with pride at Moray festival
3. Author’s campaign may pay off for Doric speakers
4. Mither tongue in fine fettle, say Doric fans
5. Doric poet sets out stall for Forres toun mercat

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