OpenLearn Works Unit 5: Scots Language in Politics by Ashley Douglas Copyright © 2019 The Open University 2 of 33 http://www.open.edu/openlearncreate/course/view.php?id=2705 Thursday 19 December 2019 Contents Introduction 4 5. Introductory handsel 4 5.1 How Scots is used in politics 7 5.2 Oath making and affirmation taking in Scots 11 5.3 Scots: A debate in parliament 15 5.4 Scots: Parliamentary discussion 19 5.5 Political recognition and protection of Scots 21 5.6 The main political parties and Scots 24 5.7 In the context of Independence 26 5.8 What I have learned 28 Further research 29 References 29 Acknowledgements 32 3 of 33 http://www.open.edu/openlearncreate/course/view.php?id=2705 Thursday 19 December 2019 Introduction Introduction As you have learned in previous units, due to a range of historical and social factors, Scots has been, and in a number of cases still is, viewed as corrupt or poor English, and does not tend to be used in more formal or official settings. In this context, it is perhaps unsurprising to learn that the presence and use of Scots in political proceedings is limited. However, it is not entirely absent. In this unit you will learn about its usage and status in the course of parliamentary business in both the Scottish and UK Parliaments. As well as learning about how Scots is used in politics, you will also learn about different political approaches towards Scots. This unit will introduce you to the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, and set out the policies adopted towards Scots by the different Scottish Executives/ Governments since 1999. The policy positions of the three main Scottish political parties (Scottish National Party [SNP], Labour and Conservative) will also be considered. During the course of this unit, interesting questions will be raised about the marked difference in status between Scots and Gaelic, as well as the position of Scots in relation to political nationalism and unionism. Important details to take notes on throughout this unit: ● Different legislation for Scots and for Gaelic in Scotland ● Instances where Scots has been used in both the UK parliament and the Scottish Parliament ● The different approaches taken by the different political parties in Scotland Activity 1 Before commencing your study of this unit, you may wish to jot down some thoughts on the three important details we suggest you take notes on throughout this unit. You could write down what you already know about each of these three points, as well as any assumption or question you might have. You will revisit these initial thoughts again when you come to the end of the unit. Provide your answer... 5. Introductory handsel A Scots word and example sentence to learn: Stramash Definition: An uproar, commotion, hubbub, disturbance, a broil, squabble, row. ○ Example sentence: “Noo dinnae turn a wee stooshie intae a stramash...” 4 of 33 http://www.open.edu/openlearncreate/course/view.php?id=2705 Thursday 19 December 2019 5. Introductory handsel ○ English translation: “Now don’t turn a little squabble into an uproar...” Activity 2 Click to hear the sentence above read by a Scots speaker. You can then make your own recording and play it back to check your pronunciation. Voice Recorder is not available in this format. Go to the Dictionary of the Scots Language for a full definition of the word "That Accounts for it", a January 15th 1799 caricature by Isaac Cruikshank on various human foibles, as exemplified by twelve individuals and the explanations they come up with. Related word: Muckle Definition: Of size or bulk: large, big, great. ○ Example sentence: Ah cannae believe the size o the grate muckle men in thae cartoon. ○ English translation: I can’t believe the size of the great big men in that cartoon. Activity 3 Click to hear the sentence above read by a Scots speaker. You can then make your own recording and play it back to check your pronunciation. Voice Recorder is not available in this format. 5 of 33 http://www.open.edu/openlearncreate/course/view.php?id=2705 Thursday 19 December 2019 5. Introductory handsel Go to the Dictionary of the Scots Language for a full definition of the word Muckle Flugga - a small rocky island north of Unst in the Shetland Islands, Scotland 6 of 33 http://www.open.edu/openlearncreate/course/view.php?id=2705 Thursday 19 December 2019 5.1 How Scots is used in politics 5.1 How Scots is used in politics The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) is responsible for (amongst other things) developing the Language Policy of the Scottish Parliament. It is a statutory body made up of five members – the Presiding Officer, who chairs the Body, and four Members elected by the Scottish Parliament (MSP). Members are elected as individuals to represent the interests of all the MSPs and not as party representatives. Who decides what languages are used? The Scottish Parliament The Scottish Parliament The working language of the Scottish Parliament is English and the Scottish Parliament legislates in English only. If a Bill is translated into a language other than English, the English language version will always be the authoritative version. With the prior agreement of the Presiding Officer, MSPs may use any language in parliamentary debates. In committee meetings, the prior agreement of the convener should be sought. Proposals for bills, motions, amendments and questions must be in English, but may be accompanied by a translation in another language provided by the MSP. When such a translation is provided, it will be published in the Business Bulletin along with the English text of the proposal, motion, amendment or question. Gaelic has special status in the Scottish Parliament under the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005. There is no equivalent Act for Scots. This distinction is clear in the SPBC Language Policy 2013-18, which states that: 7 of 33 http://www.open.edu/openlearncreate/course/view.php?id=2705 Thursday 19 December 2019 5.1 How Scots is used in politics The SPCB’s Gaelic Language Plan 2013-18, required under The Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005, seeks to give effect to the principle that the Gaelic and English languages should be accorded equal respect. The SPCB, for historical and cultural reasons, also recognises the use of Scots. (Marwick, 2013, p. 1) This commitment is continued in the 3rd edition of the SPBC Gaelic Language Plan. However, the documentation in the 3rd edition document, which includes details about the consultation for the 3rd edition, states that ‘[s]everal respondents welcomed the plan and also stated that the Parliament should make more provision for Scots too’, which highlights a marked awareness of the different treatment of both languages (Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, 2018, p. 47). Parliamentary signage features only English and Gaelic. Similarly, parliamentary literature - such as the ‘Fact Sheets’ located in the public area of the Scottish Parliament, which explain to visitors and the public how aspects of the Parliament work - are not provided in Scots (though are available in English and Gaelic, as well as a range of other languages including German, French, and Chinese). Gaelic is also treated differently in the Official Report, as you will learn about below. Activity 4 You just learned that different languages are used for different publications and communications in the Scottish Parliament. Do you think the use of particular languages in a parliament building is significant? Why? Take a note of your response, then compare it with our model answer. Provide your answer... Answer This is a model answer. Your answer might be different. I think that many people might believe that the use of particular languages in a parliament building is important, because the use of a language in a parliament building shows respect towards that language. Particularly when it is an indigenous language to that country. It assists in raising the status of the language within the minds of the population. The UK Parliament 8 of 33 http://www.open.edu/openlearncreate/course/view.php?id=2705 Thursday 19 December 2019 5.1 How Scots is used in politics The UK Parliament English is the language of proceedings in the House of Commons - as determined by the Procedures Committee. English alone may be used in the Chamber. However, there are moves underway to allow Welsh to be spoken in the Chamber during proceedings of the Welsh Grand Committee as outlined in this BBC News article. As a result of The Welsh Language Act 1993, Welsh can already be used in limited circumstances outside of the Chamber. No other languages have any special status in the UK Government. The UK Government stated the following in response to a report on the use of the Welsh language in the Welsh Grand Committee: The status provided by the Welsh Language Act 1993 is unique within the United Kingdom. It is this status that forms the basis of the derogation for the use of the Welsh language in particular circumstances in the House of Commons. As there are no other languages with a similar status in statute, we do not perceive there to be a case for a similar derogation to apply to other languages. (UK Parliament, 2017) In the actual report, the UK Government stated that they ‘detect no calls for the use of other minority languages in parliamentary proceedings', (UK Parliament, 2016). Similarly, a report of the Procedure Committee published in December 2016 stated that ‘the Committee notes the unique status of the Welsh language in the United Kingdom [and …] detects no demand for the use of languages other than English or Welsh in Parliamentary proceedings at Westminster’, (UK Parliament, 2016).