1 - Introduction

Summary

Setting the Scene

In recent years there has been a resurgence of interest in Scottish identity and Scottish language varieties, but to date there has been no in-depth investigation of the link between the two. This book attempts to address that gap by focusing on the language of one of the most common and influential text types in Scotland, as elsewhere: the national newspapers. It studies the link between language and identity in the Scottish press and argues that Scottish newspapers create a special relationship with their readers based on their shared Scottish identity by using elements of Scottish language – specifically Scots lexis (see section 1.3.1 for definition). The main focus is therefore linguistic, though reference is made to other areas of research such as sociological and historical viewpoints where appropriate.

Contrary to popular opinion, Scottish language is not restricted to the tartan realms of Burns Suppers and poetry readings; rather it forms a contemporary and significant part of most Scots' Scottish identity and daily experience. It is found in the distinctive accents, in conversations overheard on trains, in words used to discuss the weather, and, crucially for this study, in the language of newspapers. Scottish identity is alive and flourishing and there is a new-found national confidence fuelled, no doubt, by the significant changes in Scotland's political landscape with the re-establishment of the Scottish Parliament after a gap of nearly three centuries.