1) When did Scots become the main language used throughout most of Scotland? a) As early as Roman times b) It is a modern invention c) It became the main language of law and written record from around the 14th century 2) How would we describe the relationship between Scots and English? a) They are just the same - Scots is only an accent. b) They are sister languages from the same West Germanic root. c) They share nothing in common. 3) How can we tell that the people who invaded, traded and settled in Scotland influenced the language? a) It is part of our story telling tradition. b) We don't have any evidence for the influence of other cultures on Scots. c) We can hear and see traces of the languages they left in the modern Scots words we commonly use.  4) Which group of people assimilated into Scots culture and left us words like 'scone', 'howff' and 'golf'? a) The Flemings from Belgium. b) The Scandinavians, who spoke old Norn.  c) The native Celtic people, the Picts. 5) Which group of people influenced the Scots language and left us place names like Aberdeen, Pitoddrie, Pittenweem, Aberfeldy and Pitlochry? a) The Flemings from Belgium. b) The Vikings Scandinavians, who spoke old Norn.  c) The native Celtic people, the Picts 6) Which group of people influenced the Scots language and left us place names like Ullapool, Stornoway and Wick, and gave us words like 'bairn', 'kirk' and 'braw'? a) The Flemings from Belgium. b) The Scandinavians, who spoke old Norn.  c) The native Celtic people, the Picts.  7) Which ruler moved his power base to London and so began the decline of Scots as the official language of literature and law in Scotland. a) James 1st of Scotland. b) James 4th of Scotland. c) James the 1st of England and Scotland, and the 6th of Scotland. 8) What was the status of Scots for many years amongst the majority of Scots? a) It was considered inferior to English and was considered uneducated and uncultured.  b) It fell out of acceptable usage in the public sphere, although it was still spoken in many homes and community gatherings.  c) Children were banned from speaking Scots and school and were punished, sometimes physically, for using it. d) Answers a, b, and c are all correct.  9) What is the Status of Scots language in Scotland today? a) It is continuing to decline, although it is still spoken amongst the older generation in some areas of Scotland.  b) It is becoming elevated in mainstream culture: it has protected status under law; there is an expectation that school pupils will study it as part of the curriculum, and official Scottish government documents and policies are now available in Scots.   c) It is having a revival in popular culture, with a new generation of Scots writers creating poetry and fiction for all ages, and film using Scots language for characters.  d) There was a question about Scots language usage for the first time in the 2011 census.  e) Answers to b, c and d  are all correct. 

Scots Language: History and Development

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