A Beer, A Bap and A Boffin:

What do we know about Scots?

An exploration of Scots by Professor Jennifer Smith FBA FRSE

Join for an exploration of one of Scotland’s official languages, as Professor Jennifer Smith FBA FRSE takes us through the past, present and future of Scots.

Where did it come from? How was it used in the past? How is it being spoken today, and by who?

Hear how this living, evolving language is being used in everyday speech, in the creative industries, in writing, and what it might look like in the future as we move further into an increasingly AI-dependent world.

Presented in collaboration with The Royal Society of Edinburgh.

The Royal Society of Edinburgh recognises, supports, and mobilises expertise from across academia, business, and public service for the benefit of Scotland and the wider world. As Scotland’s National Academy, we use the combined knowledge of our 1,800-strong Fellowship to provide independent expert advice to policymakers and inspire the next generation of innovative thinkers.

Professor Jennifer Smith FBA FRSE, University of Glasgow
Jennifer Smith is a sociolinguist whose research investigates how language varies and changes across time, space and the social system.
She has worked on the origins and development of Englishes worldwide, the linguistic repertoires of multilectal speakers, and the sociolinguistic development of children as they move from imitators in the home to innovators in the playground.
She has directed a number of research projects over the years, including the creation of two digital resources which map dialect patterns across Scotland: The Scots Syntax Atlas and Speak for Yersel.