The position is funded by Creative Scotland
A SCOTS SCRIEVER is to be appointed to promote and produce work in the Scots language.
The successful applicant will be expected to use social media and other means to raise awareness and promote the different dialects of Scots. ‘Scriever’ is a Scottish word for ‘scribe’.
The post is based at the National library of Scotland and is funded with PS50,000 from Creative Scotland.
At the launch of the initiative writer and long term advocate of Scots James Robertson was quoted in the Scotsman as saying: “This is not about looking back, whatever the language’s past achievements: it is about ensuring that Scots goes forward to be seen and heard in the future.” (Click here to read more).
He described the initiative as a “promise to the future” of Scots and hoped other organisations such as the BBC and book festivals would take their cue from it.
The announcement came as Creative Scotland launches its first Scots language policy which they will use to promote Scots through different art mediums including film, literature and music.
Cabinet secretary for culture, Europe and external affairs Fiona Hyslop was quoted in the Scotsman as saying: “The Scots language is an essential part of Scotland’s distinctive culture and heritage, and the Scottish Government takes seriously the promotion of Scots language throughout Scotland in all its regional and local variants.”
In the 2011 census, around 30 per cent of Scots identified themselves as speaking Scots, a figure which is thought to be lower than the true number.
The language has a number of different dialects used throughout the country including Doric, Central Scots and Dundonian. Along with Gaelic and English it is one of the indigenous languages of Scotland.
Picture courtesy of feck_aRt_post