NEW MEASURES TO SUPPORT DORIC WELCOMED

Gordon MSP, Alex Salmond, has today welcomed new proposals to promote the needs of, and enhance the status of, Doric and Scots across Scotland.

The proposals come from a group set up to advise Scottish Government Ministers on the future of the North East language. It focused on sectors that have the potential to increase the use and status of Scots and Doric, including education, broadcasting, publishing, literature and the arts.

The report sets out practical and achievable recommendations in these key areas. Ministers will now consider the report and its recommendations before responding formally to the Group.

The Scots Language Working Group's recommendations include the development of a national Scots language policy, increased support for Doric in education, a greater profile for Doric in the media, and the establishment of a network of Scots and Doric coordinators.

Mr Salmond said:

“The Doric language is a key part our heritage and culture in the North East so it is important we look at new ways of improving its status and use, just as we have done with other traditional languages in Scotland. This report offers us practical recommendations on how we can make progress with this aim.

"Particularly interesting and exciting is the proposal for local Doric coordinators, who will seek to bring Doric into wider everyday use, especially in more North East classrooms.

“The SNP is extremely keen to enhance the status of Scots and continue the drive to keep our local dialects alive and I am sure that these recommendations will lead to good progress in the protection of our language.”