Books together with titles by Ian Rankin and JK Rowling have had their first traces translated into Scots as a part of a challenge celebrating tales impressed by, written or created in Scotland.
The primary line of Rankin’s novel Knots And Crosses, which introduces readers to the detective John Rebus, has been translated, as have others together with Outlander by Diana Gabaldon and Dracula by Bram Stoker.
Booker Prize-winning Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart has additionally had its opening line translated as a part of the Braw Beginnings challenge, as has Nineteen Eighty-4 by George Orwell.
Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart has had its first line translated into Scots (PA)
(PA Archive)
Tourism physique VisitScotland teamed up with Scots skilled and author Alistair Heather as a part of the Braw Beginnings initiative, which celebrates tales written by Scottish writers or with a powerful connection to Scotland.
It’s a part of VisitScotland’s celebration of the Yr of Tales, which recognises the wealth of tales impressed by, written or created in Scotland.
The primary line of Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets and techniques, which in English is “Not for the primary time, an argument had damaged out over breakfast at quantity 4, Privet Drive” turns into “No fir the primary time, a rammy had brak oot ower breakfast at nummer fower, Privet Drive” in Scots.
The opening of Knots And Crosses – “The woman screamed as soon as, solely the as soon as”, turns into: “The lassie let oot ae skirl, simply the ane” in Scots.
VisitScotland additionally has audio readings of the primary traces in Scots accessible on its web site.
The organisation estimates round 1.5 million individuals converse Scots to some extent, with an extra 267,000 possessing an understanding of the language.
Talking partly in Scots, Mr Heather stated: “This challenge is enjoyable. It gies us a recent approach of trying on the literature we ken properly. And it gies us an opportunity tae take pleasure in wir Scots tongue in a brand new surroundings. It’s a re-exploration.
“We’ve lots to be happy with right here. Two issues I like introducing guests and newcomers to Scotland to are our literature and the enjoyment of the Scots language. This challenge emphasises each. Hopefully people take pleasure in it and revel in discovering how a lot nice writing has Scottish connections.
- Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart
- Dracula by Bram Stoker
- Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets and techniques by JK Rowling
- The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson
- 1984 by George Orwell
- Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
- Celestial Our bodies by Jokha Alharthi
- Knots And Crosses by Ian Rankin
- Fever Of The Bone by Val McDermid
- Peter Pan by JM Barrie
“A love of literature and a posh multilingualism has marked oot Scotland for hundreds of years. Within the thoosan years since we’ve existed, the language o state has been Gaelic, Scots, then English. Aw three contribute to wir historical past, wir current and wir literature.
“As mair an mair o the world’s traditional literature finds its wey intae Scots (Animal Farm will quickly be oot in Scots, tae be a part of titles like Harry Potter, O Mice And Males, the Odyssey) it’s proper that we have a good time baith the nice books that’ve been produced in Scotland, and ane o the languages it’s produced in.”
Marie Christie, VisitScotland’s head of occasions growth, stated: “Scots is a crucial a part of our historical past and tradition with wealthy oral traditions nonetheless very a lot alive in tune, drama and storytelling.
“This challenge sees a few of the world’s best-known books with Scottish hyperlinks translated into Scots as a strategy to showcase the language to a good wider viewers. We hope it’ll encourage guests to attempt talking some Scots and discover out extra in regards to the language when holidaying right here, particularly throughout Scotland’s Yr of Tales.
“Scots and the nation’s different languages are all a part of our distinctive tradition which might solely actually be skilled in Scotland, strengthening the expertise we all know means a lot to guests.”
The primary traces could be seen at https://www.visitscotland.com/weblog/tradition/scots-language-braw-beginnings/
