Galloway's seen some tongues. Place names range from Gaelic to Norse, from Welsh to Latin. Welsh place names were still being originated in the 10th century, showing that Brythonic languages were still vibrant in Scotland then. The weans at school were always fascinated to know Criffel is norse, Dumfries is gaelic, Caerlaverock is welsh.
Criffel:Crow Mountain in Norse |
However, a lot of us are
near enough stuck with English wi a Scottish accent now. In Dumfries last night we were discussing whether swearing is most effective in a Scottish accent, and then whether jokes are. Certainly there are some good jokes to be had out of the way we speak. This is less of a joke and more of a true story, though. A woman was wheeling her newly born son through the high st in Sanquhar when an old lady came up, keeked in at the child and crooned "Oh whit a bonny babbie, whit dye ca him?" "Nathan" the woman answered. "Nathan?" said the other aghast, "ye'll need tae ca him somethin!"
Phrase of the week, overheard in the Farmers Arms Thornhill last night. "Aye if ye fly wi the craws ye get shot wi the craws".
Gap in the blog now, for ten days. See you soon.
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