How do I WRITE Glaswegian?

[SwissTony]

I was born in Glasgow in 1950, moved to Australia in 1961 but still have a strong Glaswegian accent - I've been complimented on it many times over the years. It has also amazed my Aussie friends when I suddenly start speaking Glaswegian to fellow Scots.

But I don't know how to write it. I know a few words but not many.

Is there a book that would be useful? I've got the latest version of The Patter, but that only gives incidental phrases.

Just to be clear...I want to write Glaswegian, not, say, Doric. Also worth knowing.

[elleng]

1. Dunno, Tony, but loved reading about your quandary!

Me, I revert to my 'Brooklynese' when among New Yawkas, and I think that accent is somewhat more easily written than is Glaswegian. Did visit your hometown years ago, and enjoyed it.

[SwissTony]

3. Glad you enjoyed Glesga. It's a great toon (no type there).

One of my friends in the 70s used to say my Glaswegian accent was FAKE!!! At the same time, she was heavily into supporting (e.g.) Italian kids speaking Italian at home while speaking English with an Australian accent outside of the home. I asked her if the Italian kids were faking their language. She got my point.

One of the things that bemuses me is how come we Aussies don't have the accent difference we see in the US. I could argue that we should have greater differences than the US (for example). We're about the same size geographically, but with a much smaller situation. That should lead to greater differences. But I cannot tell where an Aussie comes from by their accent. There are a few minor clues - I come from Adelaide and the word "Mall" rhymes with "all" whereas in Brisbane it rhymes with "pal". But that's about it. In comparison, New Yawk has about 4 just on its own.

I love accents. I'm glad i have two.

[NV Whino]

2. If you wrote Glaswegian, I couldn't understand you

As a side note, I have Siri set for an Aussie accent.

[SwissTony]

4. I promise not to write Glaswegian unless it's to illustrate a literary point.

OR I WANT TO BE GLASWEGIAN!!!!!

YOU LOOKIN' FUR A MALKY, BAMPOT???????

(just kidding)

[dipsydoodle]

5. Watch a few episodes of Rab C., Nesbitt

write down what the words sound like phonetically.

[SwissTony]

7. Ah luv Rab!!!!

Last edited Sun Apr 7, 2013, 04:48 PM - Edit history (1)

He's fae Govan, am fae Ruglen. Bloody furriner!!!!

Edited because I couldn't spell Ruglen!!!!????!!!

[muriel_volestrangler]

6. Try some tips from James Kelman's writing?

Here's a doctoral thesis on his use of language: http://theses.flinders.edu.au/uploads/approved/adt-SFU20110315.095956/public/02whole.pdf

During the 1970s he published a first collection of short stories. He became involved in Philip Hobsbaum's creative writing group in Glasgow along with Tom Leonard, Alasdair Gray, Liz Lochhead, Aonghas MacNeacail and Jeff Torrington and his short stories began to appear in magazines. These stories introduced a distinctive style, expressing first person internal monologues in a pared-down prose utilising Glaswegian speech patterns, though avoiding for the most part the quasi-phonetic rendition of Tom Leonard. Kelman's developing style has been influential on the succeeding generation of Scottish novelists, including Irvine Welsh, Alan Warner and Janice Galloway. In 1998, Kelman received the Stakis Prize for "Scottish Writer of the Year" for his collection of short stories 'The Good Times.'

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Kelman

I haven't read it, but How Late It Was, How Late won the Booker Prize, so should be fairly easily available in a library or bookshop, I think.

[SwissTony]

8. Muriel, small world - I studied at Flinders

This might be useful, but again it seems to be based on individual words and phrases rather than a more global look. I will have a look.

Thanks.

[muriel_volestrangler]

9. I haven't looked through the thesis at all

I was just looking for anything about Kelman and a Glasgow writing style. All I could remember about him was a description as the Glaswegian equivalent of Irvine Welsh. Good luck!

[pennylane100]

10. I have no idea of this will help.

It did seem the most relevant of the sites out there that might be useful.

http://www.arts.gla.ac.uk/ScotLit/ASLS/SWE/Scots.html

Also your post brings back memories of my pub crawling days in my youth and one the many songs we sang was a tribute to Glasgow


I belong to Glasgow,
Dear old Glasgow Town
There is something a matter with Glasgow because its going round and round
I'm only a common old working lad, as anyone here can see
But when I get a couple of drinks of a Saturday night, Glasgow belongs to me.

[SwissTony]

11. Thanks for the link. I'll investigate further.

I know that song very well. Sung it many a time.

Do you know this song?

O ye canna shove yer Granny aff a bus,
O ye canna shove yer Granny aff a bus,
O ye canna shove yer Granny
'Cos she's yer Mammy's Mammy
O ye canna shove yer Granny aff a bus.

Ye can shove yer ither Granny aff a bus.
Ye can shove yer ither Granny aff a bus.
Ye can shove yer ither Granny
'Cos she's yer Daddy's Mammy
Ye can shove yer ither Granny aff a bus.


And of course, you can put in family members' names. Bit like 'Old McDonald had a farm".

[pennylane100]

12. No, I have not heard that particular song,

Sounds like it could go on for hours if you have a lot of relatives.

I have not been inside a British pub for years. I wonder if they still have group sing alongs these days. Our particular choir would include songs from all the British Isles. I used to know all the words to the IRA fighting songs and the Welsh Anthem. As Mary Hopkin would sing "Those were the days my friend"

[SwissTony]

13. Might have found the solution...

Tell it to a Glaswegian! [Author]Albert D. Mackie

Gie ye the gift o' the Glescaranto? Nae problem, pal! This is the book that talks the language of Scotland's greatest city as Albert Mackie sorts out the bawheids and the bamsticks from the Kelvinside panloafs and the Dalmarnock diehards. Why's your china your china? How can you spot a chanty wrastler? What are the secrets of the wally closes? What's that about peely wally weans and jeely pieces? Who are you calling a wee nyaff? Is that your granny singing, 'I'm leanin' oot the windae wi' ma elba in ma hauns', talkin' aboot 'hurklin banes' and the 'decline'? There's yer sister at the Palais. 'Seeza sherra ra dance floor.' 'Ach, awa an bile yer heid.' 'Yir maw's oan the buses.' 'Come oan, get aff.' Here's all the mammies fae the tenements - Aggie, Beenie and Teenie, Bell, Bella, Maggie and Peg. Page after page of wickedly funny stories from Glesga. Furra love urra wee man! This book is pure dead brilliant, so it is.

www.amazon.co.uk/Tell-Glaswegian-Albert-D-Mackie/dp/1852171359/ref=lh_ni_t?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE

[Denzil_DC]

14. This series might be helpful:

[SwissTony]

15. Brilliant. Fanny Hill in Maryhill. Thanks n/t

[Denzil_DC]

16. You're welcome!

There are loads of Baxter's Parliamo Glasgow clips on Youtube. The man's a genius (and happily, still with us at the moment after an incredibly long career).