Topic outline

  • Course description

    According to the 2011 census, there are 1.5million speakers of Scots in Scotland. This represents a significant portion of the Scottish population.  This course will equip students with the basics of the Scots language. Emphasis will be placed predominantly on conversational usage. Alongside learning about the linguistic features of Scots, the course will also focus on valuing and validating the experiences of Scots language speakers while exploring cultural and social science perspectives.

    This course aims to familiarise students with the basics of the Scots language. Emphasis will be placed first on speaking and listening, particularly in terms of conversational usage. This part of the course will present students with the introductory building blocks of the Scots language (e.g. phonology, morphosyntax, lexis) and facilitate practical opportunities for these features to be put into use.

     Alongside learning about the linguistic features of Scots, the course will also focus on valuing and validating the experiences of Scots language speakers while exploring cultural and social science perspectives. This will involve wider exploration of issues such as linguistic prejudice, language rights, linguistic social justice, and the links between language and wellbeing.

    This course is capped at 12

    Course coordinator Dr Dawn Leslie dawn.leslie@abdn.ac.uk

    • What skills will I develop?

      Intended Learning Outcomes

      Demonstrate understanding of the basics of Scots phonology and morphosyntax


      Demonstrate knowledge of Scots lexical items relating to the body, feelings, emotions and ailments


      Reflect upon their own practice on medical placements so far and evaluate communication challenges encountered.


      Evaluate international examples of minority language provision in healthcare settings and apply lessons learned to the context of Scotland

      • What will the timetable look like?

        1hr lecture each week

        1hr tutorial each week

        1hr student led seminar each week

        • How will I be assessed?

          Seminar Participation 10%

          Class Tests - Multiple Choice Questions  30%

          Online Listening Test 15%

          Reflective Report 15%

          Essay 30%

          • What do previous students think?

            This course if NEW for 23-24

            • Useful links