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Learning in Literature

Purves outlines the Way Forward for Scots

Categorised in: Activism Education Politics
scots independent

In the following article, veteran Scots campaigner, David Purves, outlines his views on the ways in which Scots could be encouarged and supported. The article first appeared in the Scots Independent. Thanks to the SI for allowing it to be reproduced here.



The Way Forward for Scots

By David Purves




In 1997 the Scottish Centre for Economic and Social Research (SCESR) published a paper I wrote entitled, ‘The Way Forward for the Scots Language’. The SCESR was a body convened by Peter Lynch, which had as its Honorary President, Alasdair Dunnet (Hon.Vice-Preses, Professor Christopher Harvie and Alex Salmond, MP). The aim of this kenspekkil body was to publish informed papers related to Scottish Self-Government, in order to stimulate thinking on the issue, prior to the establishment of a Scottish Parliament. This document, which was one of a series, included major sections on: WHAT SCOTS IS, HISTORICAL BACKGROUND, THE CURRENT STATE OF SCOTS and THE WAY FORWARD, together with appropriate references.

As a result of the subsequent establishment of a Scottish Parliament, parts of the 1997 publication have now been overtaken by events, such as the publication of a Scots Grammar by the Saltire Society and the establishment of a National Theatre. However, against this background, in 2006, an updated version of this document was recorded on the electricscots website, and this is now accessible to the Scots diaspora at a global level. The final section of the updated document, which is now appended, includes a list of Nine Reforms Necessary to Improve the Status of Scots Now that we have a Scottish Government with Ministers dedicated to cherishing Scotland’s cultural heritage, the time is now evidently appropriate for the re-publication of a hard copy of the SCESR document, which could provide a background for the implementation of the Government’s policy in relation to Scots. Unfortunately, the SCESR, having served its purpose. no longer seems to be extant as a source of publication.

Reforms Necessary to Improve the Status of Scots

The Scots language is an important badge of national identity and its erosion is a serious national problem in a world where communities based on trust everywhere are being destroyed by the process of globalisation. Without the survival of communities with common values based on trust, civilisation itself is endangered. The example set by Scotland is significant for the whole planet. The following reforms are necessary to arrest this decline and improve the status and prestige of Scots. The present condition of what was formerly the State language of Scotland, is a direct result of the loss of control of the Scottish people over their own destiny. Since the re-establishment in 1999 of a Scottish Parliament responsible for Scotland’s culture and linguistic heritage, it is a reasonable expectation that the following reforms will be implemented:

1.In a self-governing Scotland, the Scots language should have official status and should be recognised in public life, including the Courts and the Law, as a valuable part of the national heritage.

2.The Scots language should be included as an essential part of school curricula, both at primary and secondary level, and courses should be available at Scottish Universities.

3.In teaching at both school and university, the Scots language should be regarded as a separate, though closely related, linguistic system from English, with its own idioms, grammar, syntax and orthography.

4.The definition of the grammar and syntax of Scots and the standardisation of Scots orthography are necessary before Scots can be taught effectively at any level. The body of literature in Scots provides a foundation on which a standard written form could be based.

5.In order to create an image of ‘good Scots’ to which local dialects could be related, it is desirable that the teaching of Scots should refer to the substantial body of literature in Scots. Where there is some literature in local dialect, this will be a valuable complementary resource.

6.Scotland’s National Theatre should have as one of its primary functions the provision of resources, information and advice to help directors to improve standards of authenticity in dramatic productions in Scots.

7.In view of the fact that Scots is a language which can be understood to varying degree by the majority of people in Scotland, the Scots language should be given its rightful place in the media as a valuable aspect of the linguistic heritage.

8.The Scottish Parliament is now responsible for Scottish culture and linguistic heritage, and responsibility for broadcasting in Scotland would be necessary before Scots language could be given its proper place in radio and television.

9. The indigenous Scots names of streets and topographical features are vital parts of the national heritage and steps should be taken by Scottish government to prevent and reverse the anglicisation of such names.