Weel duin tae Jo Gilbert wha hae bin nominatit in Scots Book o the Year 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 Jo Gilbert o Jo Gilbert thae speirins.
Tell us aboot yersel or yer ootfit.
Jo Gilbert is a spoken word artist and writer from Aberdeen. Writing in their native tongue of Doric (or North-East Scots) and English, Jo's work has featured on BBC Radio 4 show Tongue and Talk, Edinburgh International Book Festival's Scottish Spoken Word Showcase, in art exhibitions, installations and short films, as well as spray painted on a mural at Aberdeen Beach.
Jo is the current Oooh Beehive UK online slam champion and won the North Heat of the Loud Poets Grand Slam in June 2023. Jo will be representing the North-East in the final at EIBF in August 2023.
In recent years, Jo has worked on various projects and commissions with Stanza Poetry Festival, Aberdeen Performing Arts, Look Again Festival, Aberdeen Art Gallery and Museums and The National Theatre of Scotland.
Widely published in journals and anthologies, Jo's debut poetry collection 'WTF is normal anyway?' was published in August 2022 by Seahorse Publications. Jo also curated and had work featured in an anthology of new work in Doric/North-East Scots. 'Tales fae the Doric Side' was published via Doric Books in February 2023.
Whit wis it got ye involvit wi the Scots leid?
It's the wye I spikk! It wis a revelation tae me fan I wis telt I wis alood tae scrieve in ma ain tongue an mak creative wirk in Scots. Fan I wis younger, we were ay telt nae tae an that is wisna a language, bit slang. Fan I wint tae dae ma Maister's Degree in 2016, ma tutor introduced ma tae fowk lik Sheena Blackhall, Sheila Templeton, Tom Leonard an Billy Letford, fa were Scots Makars.
It lit a fire in me an aa've been scrievin in it ivver since, as well as deliverin Scots language input at Aiberdeen Varsity wae The Elphinstone Institute.
Why dae ye feel it is important tae use Scots in everyday life?
Bein bilingual is a gift, nae summin tae be ashamed o, an there's still a wheen o wirk tae be daen in tacklin stigma an negative attitudes aroon Scots.
Dae ye hae a favourite Scots phrase or saying?
Hunners – pun intended!
Bosie is a favourite fae the North-East – it means hug or cuddle. It's also a body part – ye kin be lyin in someone's bosie, or cuddlin a bairn in yer bose.
Yet jaiket's hingin on a shoogly peg – a warning to be careful. Brilliant, Scots is such a vibrant language.
Is there a Scots speaker who inspires you?
Loads. Sheena Blackhall, Leslie Benzie and Sheila Templeton are like the OG Doric scrievers ( I ken there's ithers bit these women are powerhooses). Shane Strachan is a trailblazer an exactly the kin o modren, contemporary scrievin that NE Scots needs tae bide alive an fresh.
Do you hear Scots spoken regularly in your local area? Have you noticed any changes over time?
Aye there's changes. It's gettin less, mare wirkin class fowk spikk it. Some dinna even ken it's fit they spikk. There's also been a resurgence o it bein eesed in creativity, artwirk, marketin etc. Fowk are beginnin tae see the value in celebratin wir ain culture an ats rare tae see.
Ony particlar career heighlichts
Far too mony tae mention. Am affa proud o aathin I've daen. Seein an hearin ma Doric poems in Aberdeen Art Gallery an haein 3 pieces included in the permanent collection. Representin an championin NE Scots in spoken wird. Performin it at Edinburgh International Book Festival. Ma poetry buik bein nominated for an award!
Wha’s yer plans fir the days aheid?
Sae muckle tae dae an nae eneuch time! I dee aa iss roon aboot ma day job, so dee fit I kin fan I kin. Am wirkin on a second poetry collection, playin aboot wae ideas for a spoken wird show, an wee gigs, commissions an events far I kin get ony.
Read more about Jo Gilbert
https://linktr.ee/jogilbert
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mucklewriting
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mucklewriting
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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