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Gaelic is a Celtic language that is still spoken as a second language in the Highlands and Western Isles of Scotland. Estimates put the figure of Gaelic speakers throughout the country at around 60,000. The last decade has seen something of a revival of the language thanks to the encouragement of both education and broadcasting authorities. However the majority of people are most likely to come across Gaelic today in the form of place names. Words such as glen, loch, eilean and kyle are all still very much in use. English remains the principal language of Scotland. However the country’s very distinct education, religious, political and judicial systems have given rise to a rich vocabulary that reflects Scottish culture. Many additional terms in current usage are colloquial. English as spoken by the Scots is commonly divided into four dialects. Central Scots can be heard across the Central Belt and the southwest of the country. As around a quarter of the population lives within 32 km (20 miles) of Glasgow, West Central Scots is one of the most frequently heard subdivisions of this dialect. Southern Scots is spoken in the east of Dumfries and Galloway and the Borders; Northern Scots in the northeast; and Island Scots in the Orkney and Shetland Islands.
Letters | Example | Pronunciation |
ao | craobh | this is pronounced similar to oo, as in cool |
bh | dubh | “h” is silent unless at the beginning of a word in which case it is pronounced v, as in vet |
ch | deich | this is pronounced as in the German composer Bach |
cn | cnoc | this is pronounced cr, as in creek |
ea | leabhar | this is pronounced e, as in get or a, as in cat |
eu | sgeul | this is pronounced ay, as in say or ea, as in ear |
gh | taigh-òsda | this is silent unless at the beginning of a word, in which case it is pronounced as in get |
ia | fiadh | this is pronounced ea, as in ear |
io | tiocaid | this is pronounced ee, as in deep or oo, as in took |
rt | ceart | this is pronounced sht |
th | theab | this is silent unless at the beginning of a word in which case it is pronounced h, as in house |
ua | uaine | this is pronounced oo, as in poor |
Need to know Scottish Vocabulary
ben | mountain |
bothy | farm cottage |
brae | hill |
brig | bridge |
burn | brook |
cairn | mound of stones marking a place |
close | block of flats (apartments) sharing a common entry and stairway |
craig | steep peak |
croft | small plot of farmland with dwellings in the Highlands |
dubh | black |
eilean | island |
firth | estuary |
gate/gait | street (in proper names) |
glen | valley |
howff | a regular meeting place, usually a pub |
kirk | a Presbyterian church |
kyle | a narrow strait of river |
links | golf course by the sea |
loaning | field |
loch | lake |
moss | moor |
munro | mountain over 914 m (3,000 ft) high |
strath | valley/plain beside river |
wynd | lane |
yett | gate |
Need to know Scottish Vocabulary
Arbroath Smokie | small haddock that has been salted and then smoked |
breid | bread |
clapshot | mashed turnips and potatoes |
clootie dumpling | rich fruit pudding |
Cullen Skink | fish soup made from smoked haddock |
dram | a drink of whisky |
haggis | sheep’s offal, suet, oatmeal and seasonings, usually boiled in the animal’s intestine |
Irn-Bru | popular soft drink |
neeps | turnips |
oatcake | a savoury oatmeal biscuit |
porridge | a hot breakfast dish made with oats, milk and water |
shortie | shortbread |
tattie | potato |
tattie scone | type of savoury pancake made with potato |
Need to know Scottish Vocabulary
Burns Night | 25 January is the anniversary of the birth of the poet Robert Burns, celebrated with a meal of haggis |
Caledonia | Scotland |
ceilidh | an informal evening of traditional Scottish song and dance |
clan | an extended family bearing the same surname (last name) |
first foot | the first person to enter a house after midnight on New Year’s Eve |
Highland dress | Highland men’s formal wear including the kilt |
Hogmanay | New Year’s Eve |
kilt | knee-length pleated tartan skirt worn as traditional Highland dress |
Ne’erday | New Year’s Day |
pibroch | type of bagpipe music |
sgian-dubh | a small blade tucked into the outside of the sock on the right foot worn as part of the traditional Highland dress |
sporran | pouch made of fur worn to the front of the kilt |
tartan | chequered wool cloth, different colours being worn by each clan |
Need to know Scottish Vocabulary
auld | old |
auld lang syne | days of long ago |
Auld Reekie | Edinburgh |
aye | yes |
bairn | child |
barrie | excellent |
blether | chat |
bonnie | pretty |
braw | excellent |
dreich | wet (weather) |
fae | from |
fitba | football |
hen | informal name used to address a woman or girl |
ken | to know; to have knowledge |
lassie/laddie | a young woman/man |
lumber | boyfriend/girlfriend |
Nessie | legendary monster of Loch Ness |
Old Firm | Celtic and Glasgow Rangers, Glasgow’s main football teams |
wean | child |
wee | small |
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