Parliamo Glaswegian – Language Lessons for those without a Scooby
Parliamo Glaswegian –
Language Lessons for those without a Scooby
Now I am of an age to remember Stanley Baxter’s Parliamo Glasow about how to learn Glaswegian Scots and the hilarious language lessons he had for those without a Scooby, i.e. without a clue. Deathless lines like: “Zarra a marra onrra barra Clarra?” Answer : “It’s noo a tomarra!” And then explanations follow in hoity toity English for the non native speakers. It’s all on YouTube and it’s still funny all these years later. Now there is a modern twist to Parliamo Glasow as new students arriving in Glasgow are given a crash course in Glaswegian to help them get to grips with one of Britain’s finest dialects. Newbies at the University of Strathclyde have been issued with a glossary explaining the city’s accent and some useful phrases by TV’s Gregor Fisher AKA Rab C Nesbitt and funnymen Billy Connolly and Kevin Bridges, with expressions such as numpty (simpleton), honkin (malodorous) and swallie (booze).
Don’t Be a Numpty
This bit of local difficulty with the patter is nothing new. Polish bus drivers new to Glasgow in 2009 were given Scots language lessons when they first came to the second city, all so they could have a blether with the natives. One language company actually gave lessons to English speakers who were having difficulty doing business in Glasgow. And it’s a growing linguistic area as in the 2011 census more than 142,000 people in Glasgow said that they spoke and understood Scots, and in Aberdeenshire 120,000 people, half the population, said that they were Scots speakers, compared with the 57,000 people in Scotland who speak Gaelic. And with Burn’s Night coming on the 25th of this month newcomers can be introduced to the fine delights of the North with haggis, neeps and tatties and a dram. If the Outlanders are from the USA it will be a fine chance to try real Scottish haggis which is banned in every state of the USA, which is such a shame. I written about that before and it still seems outrageous. The wife’s got me on a post Christmas diet, but I should be off it time.
Burn’s Night Soon
But of course you don’t have to wait for Burn’s Night to enjoy a fine whisky and in a fine glass from James Pirie’s lovely selection of whisky gifts all selected especially for you. Try some lovely half price glasses. They are the five star rated Royal Scot Crystal - Flower of Scotland duo of Large Tumblers in a presentation Box. If you buy these then we know you do have a Scooby.
