Weel duin tae Martin O'Connor 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 Cumnock Toon Ha, Cumnock in pairtnership wi East Ayrshire Cooncil on 14th September at 7pm. Tickets fir the ceremony are available tae buy here: https://eastayrshireleisure.com/events/scots-language-awards/.
We askit Martin O'Connor o Martin O'Connor thae speirins.
Tell us aboot yersel or yer ootfit.
I'm a performer, poet and playwright. I make work fir main stages and wi ither folk. I'm a Gaelic learner and Scots speaker, and use baith in ma writing. I'm interested in Scottish identity and culture, the voice and dialect. I sometimes work in verbatim theatre and support ither people in tellin their ain stories. I've worked wi loads ae theatre companies includin National Theatre of Scotland, Scottish Opera, Tron Theatre, Citizens Theatre, Magnetic North, Theatre Gu Leòr, Glasgow Life, Platform, and The Arches.
Whit wis it got ye involvit wi the Scots leid?
I started writing in whit I was callin slang and vernacular, daein spoken word and plays. I started to learn mair aboot the Scots Language, and realisin that whit I wis sayin wis a language, it wis authentic and it wis allowed. I gave masel the opportunity tae write mair an rediscover ma ain way a talkin. I'm noo tryin tae be an advocate fir the language – and any ither language that people might speak, in their ain voice, in their ain way – to be oor authenitic selves an no feel shame or embarrassment.
Why dae ye feel it is important tae use Scots in everyday life?
Scots is used in everyday life. It's oor ain way ae speakin, an young folk, auld folk – aw types ae folk talk it. The problem is that people don't realise the language status ae Scots, an don't feel that there's a connection, or that there's another language that's bein spoken. Bit it is important tae speak it – loud – an it is important fir people tae see it in front ae them – oan the telly, oan the stage, in broadcastin, in films – an underston that it's valid. I've seen first hon how workin in Scots – advocatin and promotin it – can have a real tranformative effect oan people. They can feel seen, heard and valued.
Dae ye hae a favourite Scots phrase or saying?
ah'z lit at (I was like that) is a phrase that comes in handy in any given situation.
I missed the bus – ah'z lit at
Somebody slagged me aff – ah'z lit at
I drapped ma phone – ah'z lit at
I waved at somebody that I thought wis wavin at me but they wurnae – ah'z lit at
Is there a Scots speaker who inspires you?
I'm definitly inspired by the wans that are oot there speakin the noo – advocatin fir the language – Billy Kay, Alistair Heather – but the maist inspirational are in ma ain family. They widnae even think they were speakin Scots, but ma Aunties, ma Granny – the wummin in ma life – are always an inspiraion. The way they tell stories, the nostalgia, the breath in for 'aye', the vocab – when I listen, it gies me comfort.
Do you hear Scots spoken regularly in your local area? Have you noticed any changes over time?
Wan thing I am maist proud ae is that ma weans can speak Scots. They don't use it aw the time, but they know it's a language, they know it exists. And the main difference is that I was in trouble fir speakin like this, where noo ma weans are celebrated fir it. They have their favourite books in Scots, it's in the schools, we have words fir things in English Scots and Gaelic and we always discuss it. What's the word fir that in Gaelic? Whit's the word fir that in Scots?
Ony particlar career heighlichts
Theology wis a play that I put oan based oan the Catholic Mass. Te be able tae talk aboot things that were inherent tae me wis really important.
Buildin a Nation / Togail Naisean wis ma first play where I used my Gaelic language knowledge. Scary but amazin.
The Mark of the Beast – a play I made wi people in recovery fae alcohol and addiction – bein able tae have their voices on stage wi me wis a really proud moment. They voices are never oan a mainstream stage.
Wha’s yer plans fir the days aheid?
Mair plays an projects – a piece aboot Ossian and James McPherson; a new play aboot the Clyde and transatlantic activity including Scotland's role in the Slave Trade; some new work fir weans; and an Opera!
Read more about Martin O'Connor
http://martinoconnor.info
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/martinusbenedictus
The Scots Language Awards are in the Cumnock Toon Ha, Cumnock on 14th September at 7pm. Tickets are available to buy here: https://eastayrshireleisure.com/events/scots-language-awards/ There wull be some grand entertainmint oan the nicht tae, includin a recital fae Billy Kay, Susie Briggs, alang wi musical performances fae Claire Hastings an Sèan Gray.
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