Teach yourself Doric - the little known Northeast Scottish Language
Doric? A Scottish Language?
Prior to my arrival in Scotland, I was aware that living in new countries means getting used to new accents. Many do realize that the Scottish accent can be quite strong, especially when its an accent from the highlands, or perhaps a Glaswegian accent.
However, I live in Aberdeen. The third largest city in Scotland with a population just over 200 000. Aberdeen is an old shipping town with a language all of it's own - and that language is called Doric. Okay perhaps a bit of an exaggeration. Not everyone speaks Doric, nor is it a distinctly different language. A better description of Doric is that it is a dialect. You will see what I mean...
Getting started with Learning Doric
While living in Aberdeen, I've taken on a few different temp jobs. I remember with my first position, which I started only a couple weeks after arrival, I was quite enthused when I started hearing "aye" instead of "yes" or "yeah" or "uhhuh". A wonderful little Scottish phrase to indicate an affirmative response, or merely just that they're listening.
Now It's time to learn Doric
We'll start with some question words.
faa? who, whom?
faan, fin? when?
fit wye? why, (sometimes) how?
foo? how, (sometimes) why?
Visiting North East Scotland?
- Your Scotland Guide
Guide to Travels through Scotland, with must sees, transportation guides, tips for budget travel.
- Access Aberdeen: Information on services provided by Aberdeen City Council
Aberdeen City Council. Aberdeen is a thriving, cosmopolitan port in the North-east of Scotland. It is not only the Offshore Oil Capital but is also a Global Energy City.
- Personal Scotland Blog
If you are looking for more information on Scotland trips, especially Aberdeen area, follow the link for some suggestions.
Doric weather forcast
Some Doric Idioms
Dinna get yir dander up!
Ye dinna tell me!
As thick in the heid as dirt in a bottle
He jist opens his moo an lets his belly rummle
He talks nonsense
Faan's she better?
When is her baby due?
Greetings, Responses and Small Talk
Foo's yirsel; fit like; foo are ye deeing?
How are you?
Nae bad. Fit like yirsel?
Well, thank you. How are you?
Gie's yir craak
Tell me your news
Fit's aa the claik
What's the tittle tattle
We'll need tae hae a newse
We must have a chat
Came awaa intae the body o the kirk
Come and join the rest
Additional Sayings from Commentors (Thanks!)
Mony a mickle maks a muckle! (Many smaa things mak a big thing)
Sair fecht for a half loaf! (Its a hard struggle for little reward)
Nae cast a cloot or may be oot! (Dont put yer winter clies awa till efter May, ciz it can still be cal)
A great Scottish/Doric poem - Haggis, Haggis Neeps & Tatties - complete with subtitles!
Time for some fun? Translate this...
A phrase to translate into English - post your responses in the Comments section!
Fowk bide in hooses. Is your hoose a big hoose? Ay, it is. Oor hoose is an affa big hoose. Is the Toon Hoose a smaa hoose? Na, it's nae. 'E Toon Hoose is nae a smaa hoose. 'E Toon Hoose is nae a hoose avaa. 'E Toon Hoose is faar ye get a cooncil hoose. Fit's mair, it's faar 'e cooncil sets. The kirk is God's hoose. It's teem maist o the wik, bit only half teem on a Sunday. A shoppie is faar ye get yir messages. Ye pit yir messages intae pokes an pit 'e pokes intil a plastic buggie.
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