Listen
Scots Language Working Group
29/10/2009
The membership of a working group that will make recommendations on steps to promote the Scots language was announced today.
Professor Derrick McClure of the University of Aberdeen's school of language and linguistics would convene the group which will consider how to focus collective effort on raising awareness and promoting the use of Scots in a variety of situations.
The other members of the group are:
- Alasdair Allan, MSP
- Professor John Corbett from the University of Glasgow
- Matthew Fitt of well known children's publisher Itchy Coo
- Michael Hance of the Scots Language Centre
- Laureen Johnson of Shetland ForWirds
- Billy Kay, writer and broadcaster
- Janet Paisley, poet, author and playwight
- James Robertson, author and publisher (Itchy Coo)
- Dr Christine Robinson of the Scottish Language Dictionaries
- Rab Wilson, poet and author
One more member will join the group before its first meeting, which will take place before the end of 2009.
Culture Minister Michael Russell said today's announcement is another step forward for the Scots language :
"Much progress has already been made on Scots since we took office. My predecessor commissioned the audit of provision for Scots and organised the conference in Stirling for everyone in the sector. We have brought two key bodies, the Scots Langauge Centre and Scots Language Dictioaries - into a direct funding relationship with the Scottish Government in recognition of the important role they play here, and we have commissioned further research on attitudes to the Scots language.
"Formation of the Scots Language Working Group is the next step in exploring ambitions and aspirations for Scots, but most importantly what practical steps can be taken to raise awareness of the language and promote its use in a range of settings.
"With the support of the sector, there is an opportunity to secure a successful way forward for the Scots language. That would be a fantastic legacy of the Year of Homecoming, and one I am sure would make Burns himself proud."
Professor Derrick McClure, Convenor of the Scots Language Working Group said:
"This is the first time that Government has established a working group to look at the needs of the Scots language community and I am honoured to have been asked to convene the Group.
"The Scots language is a vital part of our heritage and living language. I look forward to meeting and discussing with my fellow committee members how we can strengthen Scots for the benefit of the whole of Scotland".
The Scots language has a significant profile in Scottish cultural life and is represented in song, poetry, literature and the speech of communities throughout the country. The Scottish Government has commitments to raise the profile and encourage the use of the Scots language in a variety of settings.
The Scots language audit was the first step in this process to put in place the necessary administrative arrangements to improve provision and planning for the Scots language. The purpose of this research was to conduct a baseline audit of provision for the Scots language in Scotland and to provide a snapshot of current activity. This was the first time that such a piece of research had been carried out by government in Scotland, and it has provided baseline data to which further research, discussions or policy development can refer.
The Scottish Government also arranged a Scots language conference in Stirling University earlier this year and gave a commitment to undertake further consultation with the Scots language community. The establishment of this Group is in response to the messages coming from this conference.
Michael Russell confirmed his intention to form the Scots Language Working Group at the Voices of the West II conference in Inverness earlier this year.