Back in 2019, I started a series of posts called Thing in Scots. The series has languished for a while, and I’ve been wanting to get it up and running again. Cue Scotstober.
Scotstober is a challenge on Twitter where there’s a Scots word prompt for each day of October. You can follow it by using the #Scotstober hashtag.
Today’s word is mirk. It means dark, gloomy, night. And, here’s my response to the prompt:
Walton kept the edgie, peerin through the mirk o the wynd as he waitit fur Leigh tae answer him. “Did ye dae hit or no?” He pied doon his neb, ower heez fantoosh, wee glesses.
“Naw.” She oxtert hir hauns tae protecke fae the cauld.
“Naw? Naw?” Walton’s eens near burst oot his heid. “A kent better than tae uise a wee quine fir a mannie’s joab.” He went fir hir then, a saicant tae late.
Leigh smirked as she rammed the beetyach intae heez thairm. “Thit’s whit they aw say.”
And now in English.
Walton was on high alert, peering through the darkness of the alley as he waited for Leigh to answer him. “Did you do it or not?” He peered down his nose, over his flashy, small glasses.
“No.” She tucked her hands into her armpits to protect them from the cold.
“No? No?” Walton’s eyes bulged. “I knew better than to have a girl do a mans job.” he went for her then, a second too late.
Leigh smiled as she shoved the small knife into his gut. “That’s what they all say.”
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I understood about half of the Scots version 😂
Woohoo! That’s pretty awesome considering it’s written in Braid Scots (broad Scots). Well done!
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Nice one, Susan! I have to imagine Sean Connery reading to get the sense better – like when I read ‘Trainspotting’!
Thanks for reading the post, Chris!
That’s like me when I’m reading anything in English. Though, not Sean. Depending on what I’m reading, it’s either an American woman (for contemporary novels or non-fiction) or a very posh English woman (for historical romances). I never hear my own voice when I read, unless it’s an article or book written in Scots–not a lot of those around.
I don’t hear my voice when I read either (fortunately)!
Behave yourself! 🤣
Reblogged this on Photos by Jez and commented:
Susan’s day one of Scotstober