Scots: The Mither Tongue

Scots: The Mither Tongue is a classic of contemporary Scottish culture and essential reading for those who care about their country’s identity in the twenty-first century. It is a passionately written history of how the Scots have come to speak the way they do and has acted as a catalyst for radical changes in attitude towards the language. In this completely revised edition, Kay vigorously renews the social, cultural and political debate on Scotland’s linguistic future, and argues convincingly for the necessity to retain and extend Scots if the nation is to hold on to its intrinsic values. Kay places Scots in an international context, comparing and contrasting it with other lesser-used European languages, while at home questioning the Scottish Executive’s desire to pay anything more than lip service to this crucial part of our national identity. Language is central to people’s existence, and this vivid account celebrates the survival of Scots in its various dialects, its literature and song. The mither tongue is a national treasure that thrives in many parts of the country and underpins the speech of everyone who calls themselves a Scot.

Reviews of Scots: The Mither Tongue

"The Scots tongue, like most of the world's minority languages, is under pressure and Billy Kay in this excellent and cogent survey draws together the strands of our concern" Daily Express "Kay is the best writer on his own language I have read since Burchfield on English; his book should be put in schools, for it is capably seditious" The Herald "Moving, delightful, even inspiring" Edinburgh Review "It is not the kind of dry academic tome so cherished by linguistic nitpickers, but a bright, radical examination of the language which is at the heart of our existence" Aberdeen Press and Journal "A fresh and invigorating overview of a fascinating subject" Stirling Observer