In recent years, e Scots leid has experienced a remarkable resurgence, transformin fae fit sam fowk thocht o as a regional dialect intil a global leid teen intil e bosie o lairners an poets warldwide. Iss growth is fueled by innovative online platforms an a burgeonin interest in Scots leid media.

Online Learnin: Bridgin Distances

E advent o online lairnin has revolutionised foo languages are lairnt. Scots, traditionally confined tae Scotland, is noo accessible til a global audience. Leid lairnin apps, particularly Duolingo, hae played a pivotal role in iss transformation for ither leids. Syne its laanch on St Andrew’s Day in 2019, e Scots Gaelic course has attracted ower 1.8 million users, wi 519,000 actively learnin e leid as o 2023. E course’s growth rate surged tae 17% this year, up fae 12% in 2022, reflectin a broader trend in e online leid lairnin market, fit is projected tae expand fae USD 15.24 billion in 2023 tae USD 54.95 billion by 2033. Scots has yet tae tap intae this mercat.

Poetic Contributions: A New Wave o Scots Literature

E contributions o contemporary poets are vital in enrichin e Scots leid landscape. Neel Lex Lumi, an Israeli poet screivin in Scots, exemplifies e heich-quality works emergin fae iss global community. His poetry nae ainly shawcases e beauty an versatility o Scots but inspires a new generation o writers an speakers an aa. E Scots Language Awards, established in 2019, celebrate sic contributions, emphasisin e importance o Scots in arts, culture, business, an education.

Global Interest: An Expandin Community

E increasin number o lairners heichlichts a significant global interest in Scots. Fooanivver, fundin for e Scots leid remains limited. A recent Freedom o Information request revealed aat e Scots leid budget for 2023-2024 wis jist £553,500, translatin tae less an 50p per person for onybidy reportin sam skills in Scots. Despite ese financial constraints, e potential mercat value for Scots leid media is substantial, especially as e global online language learnin mercat continues tae grow.

Cultural Events: Celebratin Scots Heritage

Cultural events play a crucial role in promotin e Scots leid an its significance. E upcomin Ulster-Scots Language Week, scheduled for 25-29 November 2024, will provide opportunities for learnin an celebration, further solidifyin e leid’s place in contemporary culture.

Conclusion: A Bricht Future for Scots

In summary, e growth o Scots as a global leid is supported by online lairnin platforms, e creative contributions o contemporary poets, an a burgeonin interest in leid education. Fyle challenges in fundin an resources persist, e future mercat potential for Scots leid media appears promisin. As mair fowk engage wi Scots, e leid is poised tae thrive in e digital age, fosterin a vibrant community o lairners an creators warldwide.