The Guid Scots Tongue

For Advanced English Grammar, a class which just so happens to be kicking my butt right now, we are required to watch a video series and write short papers on the videos. I actually don't mind the assignment, as the series is quite interesting. The video series is called The Story of English, and each part covers a segment of the languages development.

Today, I watched a video entitled The Guid Scots Tongue. It discussed Scottish English and its influence on American English. When the Anglo-Saxons first invaded England, some went on into Scotland. More of them migrated there after the Normans conquered England in 1066 (a date every English major should commit to memory). So the Scots spoke Anglo-Saxon just like the English, but as the years went by the two languages began to differ more and more.

The Scots would've always spoke a very different language if it weren't for King James. King James of Scotland was offered the English throne after Elizabeth's death, so he became the ruler of both countries. After that, the English form of the language took over the island. King James encouraged many of the Scots to set up shop in Ireland, even giving them land that he confiscated from Irish nobles. The Irish Catholics hated the invading Scottish Protestants, so they began fighting each other. Remember the IRA? Well this is where it all started.

The Highlanders are a different story. When we say Scotland, we generally think of the Highlands. The Highlands is where Gaelic is actually spoken. They are highly persecuted by the Lowlanders, who make fun of their Gaelic and thick brogue. The funny thing I think is that many of the things commonly associated with Scotland (bagpipes, Gaelic, kilts, etc.), they all came from the Irish! I certainly didn't know that.

When Scots came to the states (most of them were actually the Scots Irish from Ireland), most of them decided to become pioneers and push west. Many of them settled in the Appalachian mountains. Appalachian "hick" accents all come from the Scottish brogue, as did the tamed down country accent. Isn't that fascinating? Almost all country accents came from Scottish accents! That explains why when I try to speak in a Scottish accent and mess up, it comes out country.
Anyway, you might not care about any of this (although I expect at least you to read all of this, Kerri), but I thought it was pretty sweet.