Since 2019, Dr John Burns has been investigating the changing language, voices and words of Galloway. From ‘blether’ to ‘wabbit’, and everything in between! At a public event on 31st May, John will give an overview of the project, talk about the initial findings and what the work has shown.
With a particular focus on Lowland Scots, John produced a popular questionnaire, seeking feedback on the changing use and awareness of vocabulary items. This has been complemented by interviews with people in Galloway and broader work regarding the social history of Galloway. John has been pulling an overview of his findings about the changes he has identified.
This event will try to draw together the findings of John’s work, giving an overview of what has been done, the findings that immediately present themselves and some that might require a bit more thought. The event on 31st May is being delivered in ‘hybrid’ format, with free tickets available either to attend in person in Kirkcudbright Parish Church or online. Book your free ticket here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/voices-of-the-glens-tickets-594888777347. The event will include audio recordings to illustrate findings or points of interest.
John Burns, leading on the project, said:
“The words we use can open up some of our most profound emotional connections to our shared past and to the world we live in now. Hopefully through this project people of the Galloway Glens will feel that their own voices are being heard and their own language is being acknowledged as an important part of their lives. “McNabb Laurie, Galloway Glens Team Leader, added:
“We have so enjoyed working with John on this project. The language used in Galloway is one of our most important and complex parts of our heritage – giving us an insight into to broader social topics such as societal change and activities. John has approached the topic really carefully, allowing us to tease out some interesting points about how the voices of Galloway are changing.
Join us as we look backwards, at the now, and the possible future language of the people of Galloway.”
The Galloway Glens Scheme is a 5-year project based in the Stewartry region of Dumfries and Galloway. An initiative of Dumfries & Galloway Council’s Environment Team, it is funded by a range of partners including the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The Galloway Glens Scheme aims to connect people to their heritage and to support modern rural communities. www.gallowayglens.org.
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