Lothian - Language

Language

In the post-Roman period, Lothian was dominated by Brythonic speakers whose language is generally called Cumbric and was closely related to Welsh. In Welsh tradition Lothian is part of the Hen Ogledd. Remnants can be found in placenames such as Lothian, Tranent, Linlithgow and Penicuik.

Although one of the few areas of mainland Scotland where the Gaelic language did not achieve dominance — the presence of the language is attributed to the "temporary occupation…the presence of a landowning Gaelic-speaking aristocracy and their followers for something like 150-200 years" — there are some placenames from the language, e.g. Dalry, Currie, Balerno and Cockenzie.

Over time and due to various factors the language of the Lothians and the former Kingdom of Northumbria, a northern variety of Middle English, also known as Early Scots or Inglis, came to displace Gaelic as the language of all of lowland Scotland and over time adopted for itself the name "Scottis" ("Scots") which had previously been used to refer to Gaelic, which later became known as "Erse" ("Irish") — now considered derogatory. The dialects of the Lothians are sometimes considered to be part of Central Scots.

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