Skip to main content
Scots English

Scots English

8.8
A form of English spoken in Scotland with different sounds and words
  • noun
translation icon : inglés escocés
  • She grew up speaking Scots English at home with her family in Edinburgh.

Examples

  • The unique expressions of Scots English can sometimes be difficult for outsiders to understand.

  • Many literary works from Scotland are written in Scots English to reflect authentic dialogue.

  • Many people in Scotland speak Scots English.

  • I love the unique phrases in Scots English.

  • She grew up speaking Scots English at home with her family in Edinburgh.

  • Many literary works from Scotland are written in Scots English to reflect authentic dialogue.

  • The unique expressions of Scots English can sometimes be difficult for outsiders to understand.

Synonyms

Scottish
vsScots English
  • UK
6 8.0

A way of speaking English used in Scotland with different words and sounds

is the English variety itself, characterized by unique pronunciation and grammar
Scots
vsScots English
9.1

A form of English people speak in Scotland that is different from standard English

is defined by distinctive pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary

Surface Forms

Scots English singular

Morphology

Scots + English

The meaning 'the variety of English spoken in Scotland' is directly derivable from combining 'Scots' (relating to Scotland / the Scots variety) with 'English' (the language). This straightforward compositional pattern is cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily understand the MWE.

Etymology

Scots English may come from the simple image of English wearing a Scottish voice: it mixes local Scots words, different sounds and small grammar differences. That's why the name means 'the variety of English spoken in Scotland'.