Hamish McPotter: Harry Potter translated into Scots
““Mr and Mrs Dursley, o nummer fower, Privet Loan, were prood tae say that they were gey normal, thank ye awfie muckle.”
So begins the new translation of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone into the Scots language (or dialect, depending on who you ask). If some of it seems familiar, it is because this language is closely related to English. Indeed, the question of whether it is a language in its own right is a controversial one. The original English version is as follows:
“Mr. and Mrs. Dursley of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much.”
Scots has its roots in “Northern English” and was influenced by French, Dutch, Latin and Scottish Gaelic, slowly coming to have a character of its own. From the 16th century it came to be used for literature and records. The best-known Scots writer is perhaps Robert Burns, who penned poems in the version of English spoken in lowland Scotland and whose work is still celebrated today by both Scots and non-Scots around the world, especially on the anniversary of his death (25 January), known as “Burns Night”.
The language came under more influence from standard English from the 16th century onwards. A closer relationship with England saw its decline as a literary medium, with intellectuals seeking to remove Scottish dialect words from their writing. Naturally, the language continued to be spoken, particularly in rural areas, and continues to influence modern Scottish English. However, in recent times it has seen a revival, with people seeking to reclaim the language as part of their cultural heritage. Indeed, it is possible for Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs), to take their oath to the Queen in the Scots language:
“I depone aat I wull be leal and bear aefauld alleadgance tae her majesty, her airs an ony fa come aifter her anent the laa.”
(“I do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty, her heirs and successors, according to law.”)
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s stone isn’t the first children’s book that has been translated into Scots by Matthew Fitt, an expert in the Scot’s language. Other translations of his include Scots versions of Roald Dahl’s the Twits (“the Eejits”) and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (“Chairlie and the Chocolate Works”). The publishing house responsible, “Itchy Coo”, has been responsible for other Scots translations of children’s literature. Having received more support from the Scottish government and other policy-makers in recent times, translations of the rest of the Harry Potter series, along with other popular children’s books, could be on the horizon.
Sources:
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2011/may/20/the-return-of-scots
