Scottish/English slang

[Addicted2Writing]

Hi, all.

I've posted a fic based in Scotland with an English co-author, so he used slang. But he is no longer writing it with me, and I'm lost.

Would anyone like to volunteer to help me with one liners? i.e. Do Scots use 'You know the score.' meaning 'you know what the deal is.' OR i.e. 'kick your ass'

I would appreciate any one interested. I don't need an editor, just some help with slang.

Please let me know.

Thanks!

 

[slyc_willie]

Not much on the slang myself, but I found a few sites that might help:

Scottish Slang

More Scottish Slang

 

[Addicted2Writing]

thanks

Not much on the slang myself, but I found a few sites that might help:

Scottish Slang

More Scottish Slang

Thanks Willie. I've checked a few places on line, but they either don't have the exact phrase (they're mainly conversations) or they are no longer in use. I've been called out on a word that Brits don't use from a reader, so I want to make it as authentic as possible.

I'll check out the sites you gave. Thanks!

 

[Addicted2Writing]

I should mention ...

... a character already uses the slang 'Scottish,' where it's more spelled as pronounced.

I'm looking for differences like Americans use prison; Brits use jail.....that kinda thing.

 

[slyc_willie]

... a character already uses the slang 'Scottish,' where it's more spelled as pronounced.

I'm looking for differences like Americans use prison; Brits use jail.....that kinda thing.

So not slang so much as 'culturally preferred referents,' as my SLP wife would say. Gotcha. Hopefully a real Scot will pop in and give you some pointers.

 

[Addicted2Writing]

right

So not slang so much as 'culturally preferred referents,' as my SLP wife would say. Gotcha. Hopefully a real Scot will pop in and give you some pointers.

Yes, exactly. Like Americans drive on right; UK drive on left...that sorta thing.

Of course, Scots and Brits are SO much sexier than Americans. I'm a sucker for their accent.

Have a good weekend.

j

 

[Aynmair]

Yes, exactly. Like Americans drive on right; UK drive on left...that sorta thing.

Of course, Scots and Brits are SO much sexier than Americans. I'm a sucker for their accent.

Have a good weekend.

j

You might look for and contact Scotsman69; he's a very good writer and seems like a friendly sort. Ask him.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Actually, there is a show on History2 about scottish slang in america right now.

 

[colddiesel]

Be careful. There is not just one Scottish slang. Working class Glaswegian is different to middle class Glaswegian is utterly different to Edinburgh and the east coast. It's different again in Aberdeen and even more in the far North - Norn anybody?

Myself, I was born in Glasgow to Gaelic speakers from the Western Isles (an entirely different Celtic language) and brought up in a Gaelic speaking community in the far north-west of the mainland. Even we had different dialects! I spoke no English until I was 5 or 6 and have only ever had a slight Scottish accent (whilst speaking English)

It's slightly hilarious that you have been taking advice from an Englishman, and my suggestion is, include the bare mininum necessary.

Unfortunately my old drill Sergeant is long dead - he could have taught you everything you could ever need to know - and some!

 

[NaokoSmith]

Sympathies! I'm sure you will find someone here, but try Scotsman69 like Aynmair suggests.

I have a similar problem with writing my stories set in Wales, I sometimes want someone who will help me when my characters come out with the odd phrase in Welsh. I found three or four people on here who helped out.

colddiesel is right, there are lots of dialects and accents. Why, even the dwarves in The Hobbit have a whole range of Scottish accents, LOL. I would help you myself, but I acksherly speak RP, even though I do support the Scotland rugby team and know a lot about whisky.

 

[49greg]

... a character already uses the slang 'Scottish,' where it's more spelled as pronounced.

I'm looking for differences like Americans use prison; Brits use jail.....that kinda thing.

Do Brits still spell jail - gaol? (Went to a Brit school back in the early sixties.)

 

[NaokoSmith]

Do Brits still spell jail - gaol? (Went to a Brit school back in the early sixties.)

Acksherly, we say 'prison', LOL.

 

[glynndah]

Do Brits still spell jail - gaol? (Went to a Brit school back in the early sixties.)

Acksherly, we say 'prison', LOL.

It pops up quite frequently in word games, though.

 

[DeYaKen]

... a character already uses the slang 'Scottish,' where it's more spelled as pronounced.

I'm looking for differences like Americans use prison; Brits use jail.....that kinda thing.

Prison is used as is inside (His dad spends more time inside than out), chokey, clink, nick
gaol is the British spelling of jail though both are used. Working for her majesty is another term that is used for being in prison. Often scots will refer to the prison by name. He's awa in Barlinnie (he's in Barlinnie gaol)

When someone is arrested he's been nicked or pinched or had his collar felt)collared). The nick is a term used for police station or prison. (he's been taken down the nick)

In scotland police is pronounced as pollis, They tend to use that where as in england the slang would be "Old Bill" or just "Bill" The criminal element would refer to them as "the filth" or pigs.

Slang for lawyer is "brief"

To be honest if you are unsure, use as little slang as you can while maintaining the flavour. Not much good being authentic If you are the only one who understands it.

 

[Addicted2Writing]

Accents

Be careful. There is not just one Scottish slang. Working class Glaswegian is different to middle class Glaswegian is utterly different to Edinburgh and the east coast. It's different again in Aberdeen and even more in the far North - Norn anybody?

Myself, I was born in Glasgow to Gaelic speakers from the Western Isles (an entirely different Celtic language) and brought up in a Gaelic speaking community in the far north-west of the mainland. Even we had different dialects! I spoke no English until I was 5 or 6 and have only ever had a slight Scottish accent (whilst speaking English)

It's slightly hilarious that you have been taking advice from an Englishman, and my suggestion is, include the bare mininum necessary.

Unfortunately my old drill Sergeant is long dead - he could have taught you everything you could ever need to know - and some!

COLD: Actually, he is British but worked just north of Edinburgh for 20 years. It's okay; I'm not worried that he didn't give me the 'right slang.' lol He wouldn't have steered me wrong. It's more like you guys use 'mate' whereas we don't, that sort of thing. He was sort of a drill Sargeant himself - in a good way.

Actually, I love the 'old' languages of the Isles. I was in England and Scotland and could barely understand you Scots. I truly understood the meaning of 'TOURIST!' lol

Thanks for you thoughts.

jean

 

[Addicted2Writing]

thanks

You might look for and contact Scotsman69; he's a very good writer and seems like a friendly sort. Ask him.

Ayn: Thanks for the suggestion! I think I will contact him.

jean

 

[Addicted2Writing]

thanks

Sympathies! I'm sure you will find someone here, but try Scotsman69 like Aynmair suggests.

I have a similar problem with writing my stories set in Wales, I sometimes want someone who will help me when my characters come out with the odd phrase in Welsh. I found three or four people on here who helped out.

colddiesel is right, there are lots of dialects and accents. Why, even the dwarves in The Hobbit have a whole range of Scottish accents, LOL. I would help you myself, but I acksherly speak RP, even though I do support the Scotland rugby team and know a lot about whisky.

NAOKO: I'd be happy if I can get CLOSE to the right slang. I'm just too much of a perfectionist for my own good!

Ah, so I've joined the 'writers who write outside of their country.' You'd think I'd learn my lesson! lol

Thanks

jean

 

[Addicted2Writing]

Old English

Do Brits still spell jail - gaol? (Went to a Brit school back in the early sixties.)

GREG: So far, I'm using 'Scottish English,' proper English, I guess you could say. When I use another character, I use spelling like 'gaol,' and the like.

 

[NaokoSmith]

NAOKO: I'd be happy if I can get CLOSE to the right slang. I'm just too much of a perfectionist for my own good!

Ah, so I've joined the 'writers who write outside of their country.' You'd think I'd learn my lesson! lol

Thanks

jean

Someone will tell you you got it wrong, whatever. I mean, some of my werewolves, LOL, speak Welsh, and then people tell me they got it wrong, they were speaking North Welsh instead of South Welsh, so I am just a bit vague about exactly where the Welsh speaking ones came from. People just like to mess with the Sassenachs, LOL. Although as I am Scottish and not English, they are all pretty nice to me here. I'm sure it's because I'm Scottish and nothing to do with my tits .

 

[TxRad]

Someone will tell you you got it wrong, whatever. I mean, some of my werewolves, LOL, speak Welsh, and then people tell me they got it wrong, they were speaking North Welsh instead of South Welsh, so I am just a bit vague about exactly where the Welsh speaking ones came from. People just like to mess with the Sassenachs, LOL. Although as I am Scottish and not English, they are all pretty nice to me here. I'm sure it's because I'm Scottish and nothing to do with my tits .

It has more to do with what you have between your ears.

Although the tits are nice.

 

[DFWBeast]

Addicted,

Feel your frustration man! Several of my stories (unposted) have a lot of Southern slang (ain't, kinda, gonna etc). Had one editor give me some advice that might apply to you as well. She said to use that type of slang early then back off of it as the story progresses with only the occasional slang word used. The reader will have read, struggled with and understood the early slang enough to get the setting/character.

At least I think that what she meant. Of course she could've meant "No Beast no! Bad dog!" I get confused sometimes.

Also Naoko, a naked lady werewolf in a kilt has that effect on me as well!

So many possible comments...so few appropriate.

 

[Addicted2Writing]

Got it

Addicted,

Feel your frustration man! Several of my stories (unposted) have a lot of Southern slang (ain't, kinda, gonna etc). Had one editor give me some advice that might apply to you as well. She said to use that type of slang early then back off of it as the story progresses with only the occasional slang word used. The reader will have read, struggled with and understood the early slang enough to get the setting/character.

At least I think that what she meant. Of course she could've meant "No Beast no! Bad dog!" I get confused sometimes.

Also Naoko, a naked lady werewolf in a kilt has that effect on me as well!

So many possible comments...so few appropriate.

Hey, Beast. Good advice you were given. Sad thing is I'm in chap 14, and the dialogue between the two Scots are different, so to back off in later chapters isn't workable. I can do that with the two main characters, but not between the men -- and there aren't that many scenes with them anyway.

Oh, I'm a y'all person. You all just sounds so formal. I was born and raised in Northern Virginia, so I'm not really 'that' Southern. Now, once you get into Mississippi/Louisiana, that's a completely different story.

Thanks for your thoughts.

jean (100% woman)

PS--You leave the naked MEN under kilts for us women! Woman can be naked under skirts any day -- no big deal. But a man in a kilt with nothing underneath, and a woman nearby just PRAYING for a gust of wind...now THAT'S a good reason to love a Scotsman! lol

 

[DFWBeast]

Nope missed it

Sorry couldn't help. Hope others can.

Sorry Jean but I have to correct you on one thing though...a naked woman in a skirt IS and always WILL BE a big deal! At least till they bury this beast.

Best a luck to ya lass!

Killian

 

[NaokoSmith]

It has more to do with what you have between your ears.

Although the tits are nice.

Addicted,
Naoko, a naked lady werewolf in a kilt has that effect on me as well!

Thank you guys, for your appreciation of Scottishness! Scotch is very lovely, huh? I will just jiggle up and down a bit so you can enjoy wondering if the breeze might catch my kilt at a good moment

Jean/Addicted - Did you get any help yet? Off Scotsman69 or anyone? If you get desperate, I will take a peek for you. At the Scotch dialogue! I can recognise bad Scotch even though I talk totally RP myself. (If I get drunk, I start saying 'OK yaaah', so shaming! )

 

[Addicted2Writing]

Naoko

"Jean/Addicted - Did you get any help yet? Off Scotsman69 or anyone?"

No, ma'am, no word from Scotsman69 yet. I hope he doesn't think I'm hitting up on him! When I was there (I don't remember where at the moment) a Scot asked me if I could unlock his cell phone cuz he was having trouble w/it. He said he was "just a dumb Scot." (Seriously!)

Well, I laughed and said, "I'll try. I'm just a dumb American." Apparently he didn't think that was funny!! I mean, an Englishman chatted w/me when he heard my American/English, and I wouldn't have minded chatting with the Scot.

Well, I asked my English Buddy and he said he WAS hitting up on me! lol I'm a clueless American, what can I say? (And no, Beast, he wasn't wearing a kilt (damn it!) and yes! I would have ...

Ok, I'll shut up now.