8 - Conclusion

Summary

This final chapter considers the possible external explanations for the differences noted in the pre- and post-devolution corpora and so it begins by examining whether devolution has had tangible effects on Scottish identity. It then assesses the evidence for post-devolution changes in the use of Scots language, and asks whether prevailing linguistic hegemonic and appropraicy norms are being challenged, before looking to the future for Scots. Finally this chapter investigates post-devolution changes in the press. It considers the shifting Scottish newspaper market, drawing comparisons between indigenous and non-indigenous newspapers fighting for readers. It also examines the growth of the so-called ‘tartan’ editions, before questioning the impact of the digital era, the growth in free dailies and devolution itself on the press. The chapter concludes by considering what the future holds for newspapers in Scotland and asking whether this study into the use of Scots lexis suggests that a salutary lesson could be learned by newspapers competing in the Scottish market.

Is Scottish Identity Changing?

Chapter 2 considered the links between nation status, identity and language. Since devolution, Scotland may no longer be a stateless nation, but neither is it an independent one. The situation is one of quasi-autonomy or as McCrone (2001: 6) puts it, Scotland is ‘an imagined community with considerable institutional autonomy, and, at least as yet, no sovereign parliament’. So what, if any, have been the effects of devolution on Scottish identity? Bond and Rosie (2006: 141) ask whether devolution has heightened a sense of Scottish identity ‘or alternatively whether its political expression will in fact mean that people feel less need to emphasise their Scottishness’ (Paterson et al. 2001).