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Kaye Adams discusses the use of Scots in a broadcasting context. She comments that she tries hard to include Scots words in her broadcasts. Kaye focuses on how Scots words add to the mix and notes that most people enjoy playing with language.She laments the fact that she seldom gets an opportunity to speak in Scots. Kaye confesses that she has worried that Scots words may not be seen to be ‘professional’ enough. Her favourite words are ‘wheesht’ and ‘blether’. Kaye believes that the sounds of some Scots words are very descriptive. Words like ‘eejit’, bampot’, ‘clype’ and ‘tumshie’ add much to the language.

Ask students to script a short radio play in Scots which could be broadcast on the school website. Encourage scripts which showcase some of the expressions in this clip, like ‘bletherin skyte’ and ‘cheeky besom’. Students could identify words and phrases in their own language that change depending on whom they are speaking to. Lead into discussion of interpretation and how we work out the meaning of unfamiliar words. The class could play a game of ‘Call my Bluff’. Each student should choose a Scots word and suggest three different meanings for it, with the rest of the class trying to find the correct answer.