Weel duin tae Emmah Chibesakunda wha hae bin nominatit in Scots Performer o the Year sponsored by Tracs in the Scots Language Awards. Vote now!
The Scots Language Awards are in the Johstone Toon Ha, Johnstone on 16th September at 7pm. Tickets fir the ceremony are available tae buy here: https://handsup.link/SLA-BuyTickets.
We askit Emmah Chibesakunda o Emmah Chibesakunda thae speirins.
Tell us aboot yersel or yer ootfit.
My name is Emmah, I am 20 years old and I am a psychology student at the University of Aberdeen. I have always had a passion for the arts, particularly musical theatre and have been fortunate to perform in many shows and concerts in Aberdeen. Since leaving school, I have been able to really get involved with performing arts via the University and have even found a wee job performing at weddings as a singing waiter, which is lots of fun! I am also an administrator for the NHS which keeps me busy when I am not performing or studying.
Whit wis it got ye involvit wi the Scots leid?
I really got involved with Scots and particularly Doric through Aberdeen Student Show. The Student Show is a tradition which has been running in Aberdeen for over a century and I feel very fortunate to have been on their administration team for the past 3 years. Student Show is a one of a kind piece of theatre which keeps the local dialect alive by creating doric parodies of well known films or musicals, all while raising an incredible amount of money for charity. Student Show has allowed me to become much more connected to our city as I celebrate our local dialect with some of my closest friends.
Why dae ye feel it is important tae use Scots in everyday life?
As someone who did not grow up speaking Scots or Doric, I have found so much joy in using the leid more and more in my everyday life. Playing doric characters and picking up on words to use in everyday has really helped me to feel connected to my Scottish ancestry, with only my mum's side of the family being from Scotland. In my opinion, preserving Scots and Doric are crucial in the preservation of the history and individuality of our little corner of the world. I also think it is important to use Scots in everyday life because there are some words you just can't find in the English language!
Dae ye hae a favourite Scots phrase or saying?
I think my favourite Scots saying is 'Whit's fur ye winna go by ye!' which means 'what will be will be!'. This phrase reminds me of my family and my Great Grandma who used to say this often. It is an important phrase I always remember whenever I need to be reminded that everything happens for a reason.
Is there a Scots speaker who inspires you?
I don't have one particular Scots speaker who inspires me, but I am inspired by all of the Student Show Alumni over the past century who have helped to keep the Scots language alive, all while raising money for charity. It takes a great deal of hard work to make a tradition like Student Show run for so long, and it is down to the many people who have given their time over the years to make it happen.
Do you hear Scots spoken regularly in your local area? Have you noticed any changes over time?
I hear Scots spoken very regularly in the local area, usually by older generations. The use of Scots/Doric tends to vary depending on the area of Aberdeen/Aberdeenshire which is always very interesting to hear! I think popular phrases my have changed over time, with younger generations having different more commonly used phrases than older generations of Scots speakers.
Ony particlar career heighlichts
A real career highlight for me was playing Suki Sweetie in this year's Aberdeen Student Show 'Ayetanic'. Suki was the local karaoke diva/cruise singer aboard the Ayetanic and often broken out into random bursts of song (which were all popular songs rewritten in Doric) and had many iconic one liners. She is what could only be described as a doric Jane McDonald and was an utter joy to play.
Wha’s yer plans fir the days aheid?
I have some very exciting projects coming up including Panto and the next Student Show which we are currently working towards. I feel very lucky to live in a city where there are so many opportunities to get involved with the arts and hope to continue being involved in theatre in Aberdeen for many years to come.
Read more about Emmah Chibesakunda
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The Scots Language Awards are in the Johnstone Toon Ha, Johnstone on 16th September at 7pm. Tickets are available to buy here: https://handsup.link/SLA-BuyTickets There wull be some grand entertainmint oan the nicht tae, includin a recital fae Renfrewshire’s poet laureate Shaun Moore,wha wis appointit as the region’s Tannahill Makar last year. talks fae weel regairdit Scots scrievers Cat Cochrane an Shane Strachan, alang wi musical performances fae celebratit multi-instumentalist brithers Euan and Lewis McLaughlin, an sangster Iona Fyfe.
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