From: martinb@uk.sun.com (Martin Baines - Sun UK - SE Manager Cambridge)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.british
Subject: Re: Accent and Dialect, the politics there
Date: 10 Nov 1992 17:32:17 GMT
Organization: Sun Microsystems Ltd
Distribution: world
Reply-To: martinb@uk.sun.com
NNTP-Posting-Host: bottomdog.uk.sun.com

In article 17917@gssec.bt.co.uk, cwilson@gssec.bt.co.uk (Colin Wilson) writes:
>In article <1ddqo4INN1a8@grapevine.EBay.Sun.COM>, martin.baines@uk.sun.com (Martin Baines - Sun UK - SE Manager Cambridge) writes:
>|> In article 29965@gssec.bt.co.uk, cwilson@gssec.bt.co.uk (Colin Wilson) writes:
>|> >
>|> >If you believe that the debate over the status of Scots is pointless,
>|> >then that is probably - I would respectfully suggest - because you have
>|> >no personal stake in the issue. For some of us, however, things are
>|> >different.
>|> 
>|> I didn't say the debate about the status of the Scots language/dialect
>|> (delete according to taste) was pointless: merely the arcane
>|> debate about constituted a language verses a dialect.
>
>Throughout this thread, I have not sought to debate what constituted the
>difference between a language and a dialect: I have sought to argue that
>Scots in particular should be treated by society as a language in its
>own right, and reinforced my argument by pointing out the respects in which
>Scots cannot be bracketed with the regional dialects of England.
>
>|> if there is an audiance I see
>|> no problem with there being Scots language/dialect radio and
>|> TV stations, books newspapers etc. I would also support any
>|> move for schools to offer courses in the same: providing there
>|> was freedom of choice, but that's another debate.
>|> 
>|> But as a fervent non-nationalist, I don't think emotional debates
>|> about the semantics of what is/is not a language/dialect add
>|> any real contribution to the practical problems.
>|> 
>|
>I'm glad to have your support with regard to education and the media. Perhaps
>you will suggest some ways in which the practical problems CAN be addressed.

Glad to:

1. Why don't *you* and others of like mind apply for a licence to
run a radio station that broadcasts in Scots? There are very
successful stations in London broadcasting in minority languages
(e.g Greek, various Indian Languages): if there is a sufficient
base of Scots speakers you should be successful, if not at least
you tried and learnt something in the process.

2. If (1) is successful use the profits to fund a TV station
broadcasting on Satellite or Cable.

3. Start a Scots newspaper/magazine.

4. Either (a) start a voluntary school that devotes a large part
of the curriculum to Scots and/or (b) get yourself and like
minded individuals elected to the governors of your local schools
and put your case there.

Basically, I am a believer in doing things, rather than campaigning for
"them" to do them for you. 1,3 and 4 above are all straight forward
(not easy, but all possible) things you personally could do. 2 is
probably a long term idea, unless you find a rich Scots enthusiast. I
wish you luck: I look forward to tuning into "Scots Radio" when I visit
Glasgow.

Martin

---
"You might say that, but I couldn't possibly comment"

Martin Baines, Sales Support Manager,
Sun Microsystems Ltd, 306 Science Park, Cambridge, CB4 4WG, UK
Phone: +44 223 420421                 Fax: +44 223 420257
JANET:     Martin.Baines@uk.co.sun    Other UK:  Martin.Baines@sun.co.uk
Internet:  Martin.Baines@UK.sun.com
X.400:     g=martin s=baines prmd=sunir admd=mci c=us