The Mither Tongue

Scots

'One of the best 100 Scottish books ever written . . . if I had my way there would be copies of these books in every home in the land' - Alan Taylor, Editor of Sunday Herald

The Scots tongue, like most of the world's minority languages, is under pressure and Billy Kay in this excellent and cogent survey draws together the strands of our concern

Kay is the best writer on his own language I have read since Burchfield on English; his book should be put in schools, for it is capably seditious

It is not the kind of dry academic tome so cherished by linguistic nitpickers, but a bright, radical examination of the language which is at the heart of our existence

A fresh and invigorating overview of a fascinating subject

Billy Kay was born in Galston, Ayrshire, in 1951 and was educated at Kilmarnock Academy and Edinburgh University. Much of his work has been devoted to creating an awareness of Scottish culture. A writer and presenter for both radio and television, he is also the co-author of Knee Deep in Claret: A Celebration of Wine and Scotland, while his new book The Scottish World details the remarkable contribution the Scots have made to the modern world. He lives in Fife.

Scots: The Mither Tongue is a classic of contemporary Scottish culture and essential reading for those who care about their country's identity in the twenty-first century. It is a passionately written history of how the Scots have come to speak the way they do and has acted as a catalyst for radical changes in attitude towards the language. 
 
 In this completely revised edition, Kay vigorously renews the social, cultural and political debate on Scotland's linguistic future, and argues convincingly for the necessity to retain and extend Scots if the nation is to hold on to its intrinsic values. Kay places Scots in an international context, comparing and contrasting it with other lesser-used European languages, while at home questioning the Scottish Executive's desire to pay anything more than lip service to this crucial part of our national identity. 
 
 Language is central to people's existence, and this vivid account celebrates the survival of Scots in its various dialects, its literature and song. The mither tongue is a national treasure that thrives in many parts of the country and underpins the speech of everyone who calls themselves a Scot.

Billy Kay

Full of revelations about the Scottish diaspora overlooked by most historians

Makes clear Scotland's contribution to world history

A well-researched study of the real influence Scots have had on the modern world

Kay brings a fresh eye to the impressive legacy of the Scottish diaspora. Every page brings another hero

A Journey Into the Scottish Diaspora

'Thaim wi a guid Scots tongue in their heid are fit tae gang ower the warld' 
 
 In The Scottish World, renowned broadcaster Billy Kay takes us on a global journey of discovery, highlighting the extraordinary influence the Scots have had on communities and cultures on almost every continent. 
 
 While others have questioned the self-confidence of the Scots, Kay has travelled the world from Bangkok to Brazil, Warsaw to Waikiki and found ringing endorsements for the integrity and intellect, the poetry and passion of the Scottish people in every country he has visited. 
 
 He expands people's view of Scotland by relating remarkable stories of the wealthy Scottish merchant community in Gdansk; of national geniuses of Scots descent, such as Lermontov in Russia and Grieg in Norway; of an American Civil War blamed on Sir Walter Scott and initiated in the St Andrew's Society of Charleston; of inspirational missionaries in Calabar and Budapest; of Scotch professors establishing football in soccer strongholds such as Barcelona and São Paulo; of pioneers like Sandeman and Cockburn, and the Scottish roots of many of the great wines of Europe; and of their amazing involvement in liberation movements in Malawi, Chile, Peru, Greece, Corsica and India. 
 
 The Scottish World is a celebration of the enormous contribution the Scots have made to the modern world.

Billy Kay

Books by Billy Kay

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