#Like a toned down equivalent of the bairn thing for Norway | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

the-busy-ghost · 2 years ago

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I don’t have a very strong accent so I’ve been used to southern English folk saying, often in surprise, that I don’t sound Scottish (haha) or that I sound posh.

HOWEVER I’ve also heard them claim that they still don’t understand me and while I could interpret that as people with a lazy ear being rude, or perhaps they have a few understandable auditory processing issues (look comprehending speech is DIFFICULT, I struggle with it myself though not usually because of the speaker’s accent, just the speed at which you’re expected to consume ideas). However I’ve come to another conclusion lately- it might also be the grammar.

Apparently saying ‘I’ll not be a minute’ to some people is just as unintelligible as the deepest Doric and I really think we need to have a better appreciation for the quiet Scotticisms as much as the loud ones.

#Outwith is not a grammar thing but it's such a beautiful word #Also I fucking love saying 'I'm away' or 'That's me away'#Not just because it perfectly expresses the idea but because the Germans say 'Ich bin weg' too #And it feels like a North Sea version of that clenched hands meme #Like a toned down equivalent of the bairn thing for Norway #Screw you 'standard' English who says you have a monopoly on this tongue #Or on Scots as an equal descendant of Old English for that matter #Even if it has been carrying on a strange affair with Gaelic as well as French Dutch and Latin #Not like 'standard' English ever had a fling with Norman French or anything #To be clear in essays and other public/professional writing I think people should attempt to use 'correct' grammar #But in informal situations they should do what they want #And even in those formal situations where you're trying to make sure that your writing has the widest reach possible #I think it's still permitted to occasionally use a local word when no other will do because lots of people who write in standard English #frequently use words that most of their audience aren't familiar with and have to look up in the dictionary #If most people have to look up cadastral and epicene I don't see why once in a blue moon someone can't also look up outwith or dreich

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