Duncan's list of Scots language reference books

CONCISE SCOTS DICTIONARY (Scots- English)
The Concise Scots Dictionary is the ideal Scots reference work for the reader, learner, speaker or
student of the Scots language, and contains a wealth of information on the history, pronunciation
and geographical distribution of Scots vocabulary from its beginning to the present day. It also
contains much valuable material relating to Scotland and its culture and is an invaluable guide for all
those with an interest in the history of the country, its people and their way of life.
It can be bought here:  
http://www.scotsdictionaries.org.uk/Publications/conciseScotsDictionary.html
 
CONCISE ENGLISH – SCOTS DICTIONARY
 
What do you call a paper bag in Scots? How would you describe a dull day in Scots? This
comprehensive dictionary of words and phrases is for all who want to use the Scots language.
 * A unique dictionary, with 15,000 English-Scots entries  
* Many examples showing Scots in use  
* Clear layout, easily understood entries
It can be bought here:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/English-Scots-Dictionary-Scottish-National-
Association/dp/1902930045/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1252444184&sr=1-2
 
THE ESSENTIAL SCOTS DICTIONARY (Scots- English/ English-Scots)
This is a useful compact reference book for anyone seeking information on modern Scots. In the
interests of making the language more accessible to those unfamiliar with Scottish vocabulary and
idioms, it is a convenient two-way dictionary that provides translations both from Scots into English
and from English into Scots.
It can be bought here:  http://www.scotsdictionaries.org.uk/Publications/essentialScotsDict.html
 
THE POCKET SCOTS DICTIONARY (Scots- English)
The Pocket Scots Dictionary, based on the Concise Scots Dictionary, provides information on
Scots language for the general public and for schools in a compact and user-friendly form.  
 Scots words old and new, general and local  
 Clear, simple definitions  
 Pronunciation guide for difficult words
 Literary uses as in Burns and Scott
 Brief history of Scots
It can be bought here:   
http://www.scotsdictionaries.org.uk/Publications/pocketScotsDictionary.html
 
SCOTS THESAURUS
Unique subject guide to over 20,000 Scots words.  
 Subject-by-subject access to Scots words with definitions in English
 Wide-ranging coverage of different areas of life including animal and plant life,
farming and fishing, food and drink, emotions and character
 Introduction commenting on the distinctive aspects and qualities of the Scots
language
 English index to guide users to the appropriate Scots words
It can be bought here:  
http://www.scotsdictionaries.org.uk/Publications/scotsThesaurus.html
 
A SCOTS GRAMMAR by David Purves
Purves presents Scots as a separate language in its own right, resisting the often prevalent
notion that Scots is merely a dialect of English, and gives a coherent overview of the
distinctive grammatical and idiomatic usage of Scots.
It can be bought here:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/Scots-Grammar-
Usage/dp/0854110798/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1247758923&sr=1-3
 
LUATH SCOTS LANGUAGE LEARNER by L. Colin Wilson
This work is suitable as an introductory course or for those interested in re-acquainting
themselves with the language of childhood and grandparents. The book assumes no prior
knowledge on the reader's part. Starting from the most basic vocabulary and constructions,
the reader is guided step-by-step through Scots vocabulary and the subtleties of grammar
and idiom that distinguish Scots from English. An accompanying audio recording conveys the
authentic pronunciation, especially important to readers from outside Scotland. The course
is based on General Scots with a slight emphasis on the North-East and contains an
introduction, 25 graded lessons, an English-to-Scots vocabulary list, and appendices with
verb tables and similar material. Each lesson itself contains dialogues, vocabulary,
grammatical explanations, exercises, and - most importantly - a section giving background
information about life in Scotland, for the reader to understand the material in its cultural
context. This is a fun and interesting insight into Scottish culture. By the end of the course
participants should be able to read books and poems in Scots, take part in conversation, and
enjoy interacting with Scots speakers.
 
It can be bought here:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/Luath-Scots-Language-Learner-
Introduction/dp/094648791X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1247759301&sr=1-2
 
SCOTSPEAK: A GUIDE TO THE PRONOUNCIATION OF MODERN UBRAN SCOTS by Christine Robinson
and Carol Ann Crawford  
 
This is an articulatory reference guide for actors and anyone fascinated by the modern Scots
language. This book focuses on the particular dialects and accents of Aberdeen, Glasgow, Dundee
and Edinburgh. With particular attention to the pronunciation and sounds of modern urban Scots,
and an accompanying CD with recordings of native speakers, this guide is ideal for those studying it
for theatrical purposes who want to honour unique regional accents or simply those studying
language and linguistics.
It can be bought here:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/Scotspeak-Guide-Pronunciation-Modern-
Urban/dp/190630730X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1247759156&sr=1-1
 
SHETLAND DICTIONARY by John J. Graham
A revised edition of “The Shetland Dictionary”, this includes over 150 new words, and is an excellent
reference for those wanting to extend their knowledge about the Shetlandic dialect and way of life.
It can be bought here:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shetland-Dictionary-John-J-
Graham/dp/1898852588/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1247760143&sr=1-1
 
GRAMMAR AND USAGE OF THE SHETLAND DIALECT by John J. Graham and Thomas A. Robertson
A short but comprehensive grammatical overiew of the highly distinctive Shetlandic dialect.   
It can be bought here:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/Grammar-Usage-Shetland-Dialect-
Graham/dp/0900662786/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1247760197&sr=1-1
 
ULSTER -SCOTS: A GRAMMAR OF THE TRADITIONAL WRITTEN AND SPOKEN LANGUAGE by Philip S.
Robinson
A dialect of Scots has been spoken in Ulster since at least the sixteenth century.  This is the first
grammar of that dialect to be published, and is a must have for anyone wishing to learn more about
Ulster-Scots.   
It can be bought here:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ulster-Scots-Grammar-Traditional-Written-
Language/dp/0953035018/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1247758966&sr=1-1