In recent years, the Scots leid has experienced a remarkable resurgence, transformin frae a whit sam fowk thocht as a regional dialect intae a global leid taen intae the bosie o lairners an poets aroon the warld. This growth is fueled by innovative online platforms an a burgeonin interest in Scots leid media.

Online Learin: Bridgin Distances

The advent o online lairnin has revolutionised hoo leids are lairnt. Scots, traditionally confined tae Scotland, is noo accessible tae a global audience. Leid learnin apps, particularly Duolingo, hae played a pivotal role in this transformation for ither leids. Syne its laanch on St Andrew’s Day in 2019, the Scots Gaelic course has attracted ower 1.8 million users, wi 519,000 actively lairnin the leid as o 2023. The course’s growth rate surged tae 17% this year, up frae 12% in 2022, reflectin a broader trend in the online leid lairnin mercat, whit is projected tae expand frae 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

The contributions o contemporary poets are vital in enrichin the Scots leid landscape. Neel Lex Lumi, an Israeli poet screivin in Scots, exemplifies the heich-quality works emergin frae this global community. His poetry no ainly shawcases the beauty an versatility o Scots but inspires a new generation o screivers an speakers an aw. The Scots Leid Awards, established in 2019, celebrate sic contributions, emphasisin the importance o Scots in arts, culture, business, an education.

Global Interest: An Expandin Community

The increasin number o lairners heichlichts a significant global interest in Scots. Hooanivver, fundin for the Scots leid remains limited. A recent Freedom o Information request revealed that the Scots leid budget for 2023-2024 was just £553,500, translatin tae less than 50p per person for thae reportin some skills in Scots. Despite these financial constraints, the potential mercat value for Scots leid media is substantial, especially as the global online leid learnin mercat continues tae grow.

Cultural Events: Celebratin Scots Heritage

Cultural events play a crucial role in promotin the Scots leid an its significance. The upcomin Ulster-Scots Leid Week, scheduled for 20-24 November 2023, will provide opportunities for lairnin an celebration, further solidifyin the leid’s place in contemporary culture.

Conclusion: A Bricht Future for Scots

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