In recent years, da Scots leid hes experienced a remarkable resurgence, transformin frae whit sam fowk thocht o as a regional dialect intil a global leid embraced bi learners an poets warldwide. Dis growth is fueled bi innovative online platforms an a burgeonin interest in Scots leid media.

Online Learin: Bridgin Distances

Da advent o online lairnin hes revolutionized hou leids 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 dis transformation. Sin its laanch on St Andrew’s Day in 2019, da Scots Gaelic course hes attracted ower 1.8 million users, wi 519,000 actively learnin da leid as o 2023. Da course’s growth rate surged tae 17% dis year, up frae 12% in 2022, reflectin a broader trend in da online leid lairnin mercat, whilk is projected tae expand frae USD 15.24 billion in 2023 tae USD 54.95 billion bi 2033. Scots has yet tae tap intil dis mercat.

Poetic Contributions: A New Wave o Scots Literature

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

Global Interest: A Growin Community

Da increasin number o lairrners heichlichts a significant global interest in Scots. Houanivver, fundin for da Scots leid remains limited. A recent Freedom o Information request revealed dat da Scots leid budget for 2023-2024 was juist £553,500, translatin tae less than 50p per person for those reportin some skills in Scots. Despite dis financial constraints, da potential market value for Scots leid media is substantial, especially as da global online leid learinin market continues tae grow.

Cultural Events: Celebratin Scots Heritage

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

Conclusion: A Bricht Future for Scots

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