The Linguistic sitacion of Scotland: a study on Scots, Gaelic and Scottish English

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze the linguistic situation in which Scotland is involved nowadays offering first a diachronic perspective of the main languages spoken in the country and then a sociolinguistic approach based on a study of the attitudes towards Scots, Scottish Gaelic and Scottish English. The overall uncomfortable linguistic situation in which the country founds itself nowadays has brought this project to life. The roots from the already mentioned languages would be analyzed in order to gain a better understanding of the reasons why they hold this linguistic position today. People from Scotland encounter difficulties to categorize or define those languages and it is relevant to make a clarification of their current linguistic status within the country. Furthermore, the attitudes towards Scots, Gaelic and Scottish English inhabitants from Scotland have will be explained as well as the national prestige they hold in the country. What is more, the concept of language identity is also discussed in this project so as to link it with the current situation of the country that is about to hold a referendum to declare its independence from the government of the United Kingdom. This sociolinguistic part of the study is based on previous studies carried out by the Scottish government in 2010; notwithstanding, I have undertaken my own analysis of this sociolinguistic situation with the cooperation of several students from the University of Glasgow which completed a survey with questions related to the already mentioned aspects. The purpose was also to check the influence of the referendum in those languages and whether they will be affected by the final decision.