Speaking out

The debate about Scots (Letters, 7 January) rather misses the point. Whereas Doric could be heard frequently in Aberdeen 40 years ago, nowadays it seems to be notable by its absence, I regret to say. However, what your correspondents should bear in mind is that neither Scots nor the Queen's English are immune from the infiltration of American English. What is changing right now in the real world is the way we all speak, express ourselves and even spell.

At the rate I have seen the written and spoken language in Scotland and England change in my lifetime, I suspect debates about Scots and any type of spoken English will be entirely academic in two generations.

ANDREW HN GRAY

Craiglea Drive

Edinburgh

A'm verra leised on follaein Colin Wilson's propone at A suid dyte in Scots (Letters, 6 January). Owre the eirs ma bits skreivin tot up til thrie buiks: a novelle set in the fuither; ane adventur storie; an a clamjamfrie o assays an technicall airtikils. Syne A hae owreset Treasure Island, The Wind in the Willows am im about ti propale John Buchan's Huntingtower in a Scots at inhauds aw the daialeks o Scots, auld farrand vocabular, an whussil owre the lave o't.

Maister Wilson is gied ma hertie inveit ti coff copies at Fons Scotiae wabsteid.

IAIN WD FORDE

Main Street

Scotlandwell, Kinross-shire