Page 234 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Scotland

232  Phr asebook

Scottish Vocabulary

Gaelic is a Celtic language that is still spoken as a political and judicial systems have given rise to a
second language in the highlands and Western rich vocabulary that reflects scottish culture. Many
Isles of scotland. estimates put the figure of Gaelic additional terms in current usage are colloquial.
speakers throughout the country at around english as spoken by the scots is commonly
80,000. The last decade has seen something of a divided into four dialects. Central scots can be
revival of the language, due to the encourage­ heard across the Central belt and the southwest of
ment of both education and broadcasting author­ the country. as around a quarter of the population
i ties. however the majority of people are most lives within 32 km (20 miles) of Glasgow, West
likely to come across Gaelic today in the form of Central scots is one of the most frequently heard
place names. Words such as glen, loch, eilean and subdivisions of this dialect. southern scots is
kyle are all still very much in use. english remains spoken in the east of Dumfries and Galloway and
the principal language of scotland. however the the borders; Northern scots in the northeast; and
country’s very distinct education, religious, Island scots in the orkney and shetland Islands.
clapshot mashed turnips and potatoes
Pronunciation of Gaelic Words clootie dumpling rich fruit pudding
Cullen Skink fish soup made from smoked haddock
Letters Example Pronunciation dram a drink of whisky
ao craobh this is pronounced similar to oo, haggis sheep’s offal, suet, oatmeal and
as in cool seasonings, usually boiled in the
bh dubh “h” is silent unless at the beginning animal’s intestine
of a word in which case it is Irn-Bru popular soft drink
pronounced v, as in vet neeps turnips
ch deich this is pronounced as in the oatcake a savoury oatmeal biscuit
porridge
a hot breakfast dish made with oats,
German composer Bach milk and water
cn cnoc this is pronounced cr, as in creek shortie shortbread
ea leabhar this is pronounced e, as in get or tattie potato
a, as in cat tattie scone type of savoury pancake made
eu sgeul this is pronounced ay, as in say with potato
or ea, as in ear
gh taigh-òsda this is silent unless at the Cultural Terms
beginning of a word, in which
case it is pronounced as in get Burns Night 25 January is the anniversary of the
ia fiadh this is pronounced ea, as in ear birth of the poet Robert Burns,
io tiocaid this is pronounced ee, as in celebrated with a meal of haggis
deep or oo, as in took Caledonia Scotland
an informal evening of traditional
ceilidh
rt ceart this is pronounced sht Scottish song and dance
th theab this is silent unless at the clan an extended family bearing
beginning of a word in which the same surname (last name)
case it is pronounced h, as first foot the first person to enter a house after
in house midnight on New Year’s Eve
ua uaine this is pronounced oo, as in poor Highland dress Highland men’s formal wear including
the kilt
Hogmanay New Year’s Eve
Words in Place Names kilt knee-length pleated tartan skirt

worn as traditional Highland dress
ben mountain Ne’erday New Year’s Day
bothy farm cottage pibroch type of bagpipe music
brae hill sgian-dubh a small blade tucked into the outside
brig bridge of the sock on the right foot worn as
burn brook part of the traditional Highland dress
cairn mound of stones marking a place sporran pouch made of fur worn to the front
close block of flats (apartments) sharing a of the kilt
common entry and stairway tartan chequered wool cloth, different
craig steep peak colours being worn by each clan
croft small plot of farmland with dwellings
in the Highlands Colloquial Expressions
dubh black auld old
eilean island
firth estuary auld lang syne days of long ago
gate/gait street (in proper names) Auld Reekie Edinburgh
glen valley aye yes
bairn
howff a regular meeting place, usually a pub barrie child
excellent
kirk a Presbyterian church blether chat
kyle a narrow strait of river bonnie pretty
links golf course by the sea braw excellent
loaning field dreich wet (weather)
loch lake fae from
moss moor fitba football
Munro mountain over 914 m (3,000 ft) high hen informal name used to address a
strath valley/plain beside river woman or girl
wynd lane ken to know; to have knowledge
yett gate lassie a young woman/girl
lumber boyfriend/girlfriend
Food and Drink Nessie legendary monster of Loch Ness
Old Firm Celtic and Glasgow Rangers,
Arbroath Smokie small haddock that has been salted Glasgow’s main football teams
and then smoked wean child
breid bread wee small
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Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Phrase book template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1)
Date 14th August 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm