Scots on Twitter

Yer da sells Avon: how the Scots language found a new home on Twitter

The unique status of Scots means that generations of Scottish children have been brought up to use formal English in school and public life, even though it might not be their first language, or the one spoken at home.

“For many people both outside Scotland and within, Twitter has provided a brand new view into the Scots language and its varieties in all their sweary, hysterical, sometimes incomprehensible glory. Has the platform spearheaded a resurgence amongst its young users or is this something more profound altogether?”

The author quotes Dr E Jamieson, a specialist in Scots syntax at the University of Glasgow “It’s the first time ever where there’s been an informal public-facing writing platform. So it’s not for education, or a letter to your doctor, … There’s something important about having the freedom and space to be able to use your native variety and spoken language in a written form without anyone correcting you”.

The article adds, “For those involved in language activism…Twitter has been an important tool in elevating the status of Scots and bringing it to new audiences”.

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