Weel duin tae Shetland ForWirds & Promote Shetland wha hae bin nominatit in Scots Cultural Project o the Year 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 Bruce Eunson o Shetland ForWirds & Promote Shetland thae speirins.
Tell us aboot yersel or yer ootfit.
Shetland ForWirds wis formed in 2004 an is a volunteer-run registered charity. Wir aim is tae promote an celebrate da Shetland dialect. We hae a strang focus on wirkin wi schools an ithin education, as weel as pittin on events fir da general public.
Promote Shetland is the destination marketing organisation for the islands celebrating Shetland as an exceptional place to live, work, study, visit and invest. We achieve this through ongoing marketing campaigns and by working with strategic partners, including Shetland ForWirds.
Whit wis it got ye involvit wi the Scots leid?
Fir twartree generations noo dir is been a concern da Shetland dialect is dyin oot. Shetland ForWirds cam aboot becis dir wis (an still is) a passion tae preserve, teach an celebrate wir unique dialect.
Celebrating Shetland’s identity, culture and heritage is a core part of Promote Shetland’s activities. Promoting our unique dialect is crucial to this. As part of the ongoing marketing of Shetland, we have created a variety of content exploring and promoting Shetland dialect.
Why dae ye feel it is important tae use Scots in everyday life?
Shetland dialect is spokken ivry day aa owre da Shetland isles, but sam as ony idder dialect o Scots language, it is been kept oot o certain areas o life due tae years o bein seen as a tongue o lower status as English. Gittin Shetland dialect accepted in ony social scenario (wi a particular focus on education settings) is a big pairt o whit drives sae mony Shetland fok tae volunteer dir time tae a charity laek Shetland ForWirds.
Dialect is one of the identifying factors that makes Shetland a unique and special place. This is something to be celebrated. The dialect helps tell the story of Shetland and how the islands’ dynamic and vibrant communities developed over many generations.
Dae ye hae a favourite Scots phrase or saying?
“Glowerin i da lum nivver filled da pot!”, meaning, “Get up and get on with it!”
Is there a Scots speaker who inspires you?
Da original founders o Shetland ForWirds ir twa weemin, Mary Blance an Laureen Johnson. Fir dir years o dedicated effort an passion we ir ivver grateful.
The use of Shetland dialect in general is an inspiration. The way dialect and its use varies from location to location within Shetland is incredible and one cannot fail to be inspired by that.
Do you hear Scots spoken regularly in your local area? Have you noticed any changes over time?
Da changes dat ir clear tae see across Shetland daday is precisely why da group wis boarn. Juist da sam as wi sae mony idder cultural traditions here in Shetland, we wid fear fir da future o da isles if we lost ony o wir heritage, values an historical lessons dat guide wis furt tae da future.
Yes, Thanks to the work of Shetland ForWirds and the increased awareness of the importance of dialect in preserving identity, many Shetlanders are proud to speak dialect.
Ony particlar career heighlichts
Haein juist celebrated wir 20th birthday dir is plenty wir prood o fae da hidmaest decades – but da waarmth, interest, support an joy dat cam oot o da Christmas video we maed is certainly up dere.
Wha’s yer plans fir the days aheid?
It’s nivver a dull time at Shetland ForWirds – eenoo we hae a variety o education projects happenin, a concert in da planning fur November, a board game wi ir nearly ready tae launch, public events as pairt o Shetland Wool Week, an judgin films maed here in Shetland dat feature dialect…afore we kaen it dir’ll be anidder Christmas video tae mak!
Read more about Shetland ForWirds & Promote Shetland
http://www.shetland.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/promoteshetlandom/
Twitter: https://x.com/promoteshetland
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/promoteshetland/
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.
If you would like to support Hands Up for Trad in their work with Scottish trad music and musicians please consider supporting our Patreon campaign. We have 3 tiers starting at $1 a month and everything helps support us in our work. Read more at www.patreon.com/handsupfortrad