illandancient.bsky.social
@illandancient.bsky.social
Manufacturing engineer, product configurator, corpus linguist (Scots language), amateur drainage specialist, Englishman
Pinned
Scots in different social contexts
This is a survey to check public perceptions and attitudes towards the use of Scots in different social contexts
forms.gle
Would anybody like to do my wee survey about attitudes to speaking the Scots language in different social contexts?
forms.gle/KNKQTQMXRH1Z...
forms.gle/KNKQTQMXRH1Z...
Suppose, hypothetically a Scottish university had a similar arrangement to the University of Manchester, where everyone gets Copilot and Copilot training, and then it was found that Copilot wasn't accurately communicating in Scottish Standard English, but instead was forcing British Standard English
January 19, 2026 at 1:42 PM
Suppose, hypothetically a Scottish university had a similar arrangement to the University of Manchester, where everyone gets Copilot and Copilot training, and then it was found that Copilot wasn't accurately communicating in Scottish Standard English, but instead was forcing British Standard English
Reposted by illandancient.bsky.social
"This is gold star indie-pop..."
Four stars for @thejustjoans.bsky.social's new album Romantic Visions of Scotland, out on Friday via @fikarecordings.com
www.theskinny.co.uk/music/review...
Four stars for @thejustjoans.bsky.social's new album Romantic Visions of Scotland, out on Friday via @fikarecordings.com
www.theskinny.co.uk/music/review...
The Just Joans - Romantic Visions of Scotland review: The Skinny
Scottish siblings The Just Joans deliver gold star indie-pop on their latest album, Romantic Visions of Scotland.
www.theskinny.co.uk
January 19, 2026 at 12:10 PM
"This is gold star indie-pop..."
Four stars for @thejustjoans.bsky.social's new album Romantic Visions of Scotland, out on Friday via @fikarecordings.com
www.theskinny.co.uk/music/review...
Four stars for @thejustjoans.bsky.social's new album Romantic Visions of Scotland, out on Friday via @fikarecordings.com
www.theskinny.co.uk/music/review...
Reposted by illandancient.bsky.social
No YOU hacked together a shit drawing program, so you could use it to draw a loading screen to game that doesn't exist, that you imagined existed, whilst nosing at books in the library
January 19, 2026 at 11:21 AM
No YOU hacked together a shit drawing program, so you could use it to draw a loading screen to game that doesn't exist, that you imagined existed, whilst nosing at books in the library
The problem is that Trump doesn't understand the concept of "independent". To him its all linked, its all favours and horse-trading.
He thinks Norwegian PM is getting something out of the Nobel committee for insisting that it is independent, and if he isn't then he should be.
He thinks Norwegian PM is getting something out of the Nobel committee for insisting that it is independent, and if he isn't then he should be.
NORWAY PM: I HAVE REPEATEDLY CLEARLY EXPLAINED TO TRUMP THAT IT IS AN INDEPENDENT COMMITTEE THAT AWARDS THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE
January 19, 2026 at 12:04 PM
The problem is that Trump doesn't understand the concept of "independent". To him its all linked, its all favours and horse-trading.
He thinks Norwegian PM is getting something out of the Nobel committee for insisting that it is independent, and if he isn't then he should be.
He thinks Norwegian PM is getting something out of the Nobel committee for insisting that it is independent, and if he isn't then he should be.
This is interesting, the number of cloned car number plates reported to the DVLA in the UK has doubled over the five years.
www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/clon...
Considering how difficult the DVLA make it to report this things, the number is likely to be far higher.
www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/clon...
Considering how difficult the DVLA make it to report this things, the number is likely to be far higher.
January 18, 2026 at 9:36 AM
This is interesting, the number of cloned car number plates reported to the DVLA in the UK has doubled over the five years.
www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/clon...
Considering how difficult the DVLA make it to report this things, the number is likely to be far higher.
www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/clon...
Considering how difficult the DVLA make it to report this things, the number is likely to be far higher.
The whole thing is alarming, alarming, but what is the end game?
Are they really crafting a society where every citizen must present their papers please to armed thugs every day, and be arrested and subsequently released every day?
Are they really crafting a society where every citizen must present their papers please to armed thugs every day, and be arrested and subsequently released every day?
How much more in your face can it be?
"Why are you asking me for my paperwork?"
"Because of your accent."
"You have an accent too."
"Where were you born sir?"
"Where were you born at?"
"Put your hands behind your back."
"Why are you asking me for my paperwork?"
"Because of your accent."
"You have an accent too."
"Where were you born sir?"
"Where were you born at?"
"Put your hands behind your back."
January 18, 2026 at 8:00 AM
The whole thing is alarming, alarming, but what is the end game?
Are they really crafting a society where every citizen must present their papers please to armed thugs every day, and be arrested and subsequently released every day?
Are they really crafting a society where every citizen must present their papers please to armed thugs every day, and be arrested and subsequently released every day?
Reposted by illandancient.bsky.social
How much more in your face can it be?
"Why are you asking me for my paperwork?"
"Because of your accent."
"You have an accent too."
"Where were you born sir?"
"Where were you born at?"
"Put your hands behind your back."
"Why are you asking me for my paperwork?"
"Because of your accent."
"You have an accent too."
"Where were you born sir?"
"Where were you born at?"
"Put your hands behind your back."
January 17, 2026 at 9:16 PM
How much more in your face can it be?
"Why are you asking me for my paperwork?"
"Because of your accent."
"You have an accent too."
"Where were you born sir?"
"Where were you born at?"
"Put your hands behind your back."
"Why are you asking me for my paperwork?"
"Because of your accent."
"You have an accent too."
"Where were you born sir?"
"Where were you born at?"
"Put your hands behind your back."
Reposted by illandancient.bsky.social
Nice write up in Herald of @islaratcliff.bsky.social new album. Pity the sub editors changed "Meltin o the Snaw" to "Melton o the Swan" !! www.heraldscotland.com/news/2576289...
January 17, 2026 at 12:28 PM
Nice write up in Herald of @islaratcliff.bsky.social new album. Pity the sub editors changed "Meltin o the Snaw" to "Melton o the Swan" !! www.heraldscotland.com/news/2576289...
Reposted by illandancient.bsky.social
Over on that Facebook there's a wee discussion about Scottish Standard English, the variety of English used in Scottish (as distinct from the Scots language).
Its like the way American English is the variety of English used in America, you don't get people over there speaking British English.
1/
Its like the way American English is the variety of English used in America, you don't get people over there speaking British English.
1/
January 16, 2026 at 10:02 AM
Over on that Facebook there's a wee discussion about Scottish Standard English, the variety of English used in Scottish (as distinct from the Scots language).
Its like the way American English is the variety of English used in America, you don't get people over there speaking British English.
1/
Its like the way American English is the variety of English used in America, you don't get people over there speaking British English.
1/
I'm supposed to be working on a Doric frequency dictionary, but getting distracted compiling a Scottish Standard English frequency dictionary.
January 16, 2026 at 10:03 PM
I'm supposed to be working on a Doric frequency dictionary, but getting distracted compiling a Scottish Standard English frequency dictionary.
Counterpoint:
"Weaponizing" a car in the US is a protected right under the Second Amendment.
"Weaponizing" a car in the US is a protected right under the Second Amendment.
January 16, 2026 at 1:09 PM
Counterpoint:
"Weaponizing" a car in the US is a protected right under the Second Amendment.
"Weaponizing" a car in the US is a protected right under the Second Amendment.
I could be onto something here.
In the Scotsman newspaper, it seems "outwith" is only used if its verbatim from another source.
Alternatively the Edinburgh News uses it natively from the reporters' hand.
This makes me think the "British subeditor" theory is correct.
In the Scotsman newspaper, it seems "outwith" is only used if its verbatim from another source.
Alternatively the Edinburgh News uses it natively from the reporters' hand.
This makes me think the "British subeditor" theory is correct.
January 16, 2026 at 11:00 AM
I could be onto something here.
In the Scotsman newspaper, it seems "outwith" is only used if its verbatim from another source.
Alternatively the Edinburgh News uses it natively from the reporters' hand.
This makes me think the "British subeditor" theory is correct.
In the Scotsman newspaper, it seems "outwith" is only used if its verbatim from another source.
Alternatively the Edinburgh News uses it natively from the reporters' hand.
This makes me think the "British subeditor" theory is correct.
Over on that Facebook there's a wee discussion about Scottish Standard English, the variety of English used in Scottish (as distinct from the Scots language).
Its like the way American English is the variety of English used in America, you don't get people over there speaking British English.
1/
Its like the way American English is the variety of English used in America, you don't get people over there speaking British English.
1/
January 16, 2026 at 10:02 AM
Over on that Facebook there's a wee discussion about Scottish Standard English, the variety of English used in Scottish (as distinct from the Scots language).
Its like the way American English is the variety of English used in America, you don't get people over there speaking British English.
1/
Its like the way American English is the variety of English used in America, you don't get people over there speaking British English.
1/
Reposted by illandancient.bsky.social
The Glencairn Glass/Bloody Scotland Short Story Competition is open for submissions. Full details about the competition and the online entry form can be found at: whiskyglass.com/crime-short-...
Crime Short Story Competition 2026
Enter The Bloody Scotland x Glencairn Crystal Annual Crime Short Story Competition and experience a crime set in Scotland.
whiskyglass.com
January 14, 2026 at 11:04 AM
The Glencairn Glass/Bloody Scotland Short Story Competition is open for submissions. Full details about the competition and the online entry form can be found at: whiskyglass.com/crime-short-...
Reposted by illandancient.bsky.social
Explain to me like I'm five what the 2nd Amendment is for if not for this. King George III never said anything this obnoxious or deliberately inflammatory.
January 14, 2026 at 5:20 AM
Explain to me like I'm five what the 2nd Amendment is for if not for this. King George III never said anything this obnoxious or deliberately inflammatory.
Reposted by illandancient.bsky.social
This is the gentle humorous take on an office frustration that I quite enjoy.
January 13, 2026 at 4:34 PM
This is the gentle humorous take on an office frustration that I quite enjoy.
Its neat that each colour phosphor dot has its own blur. So when you're designing sprites, there's an art to it. Its not just square pixels of a solid colour, there's glows to each pixel that have to be managed.
January 13, 2026 at 11:31 AM
Its neat that each colour phosphor dot has its own blur. So when you're designing sprites, there's an art to it. Its not just square pixels of a solid colour, there's glows to each pixel that have to be managed.
I've added another book to the reddit ScotsBookClub, with almost a review of the book written in Scots.
www.reddit.com/r/ScotsBookC...
www.reddit.com/r/ScotsBookC...
From the ScotsBookClub community on Reddit
Explore this post and more from the ScotsBookClub community
www.reddit.com
January 13, 2026 at 10:36 AM
I've added another book to the reddit ScotsBookClub, with almost a review of the book written in Scots.
www.reddit.com/r/ScotsBookC...
www.reddit.com/r/ScotsBookC...
Reposted by illandancient.bsky.social
In a hospital with zero Scots in the linguistic landscape (more on that anon) it was nice to hear a consultant say "It's better tae hae it an no need it, than need it an no hae it."
January 12, 2026 at 2:43 PM
In a hospital with zero Scots in the linguistic landscape (more on that anon) it was nice to hear a consultant say "It's better tae hae it an no need it, than need it an no hae it."
Reposted by illandancient.bsky.social
The Scots Language Publication Grant is now open for applications! Apply for support with publishing new work, reprinting existing work and help with marketing existing and new work. Deadline: 25 February 2026.
The Scots Language Publication Grant
The Scots Language Publication Grant exists to support publishers to publish and promote work written in Scots.
www.scottishbooktrust.com
January 12, 2026 at 11:32 AM
The Scots Language Publication Grant is now open for applications! Apply for support with publishing new work, reprinting existing work and help with marketing existing and new work. Deadline: 25 February 2026.
I'm slowly working through my Doric word list, there's a category of words where they have the -ie ending, it's a "Class-maintaining Derivational Suffix"
For example:-
photo -> photie
man -> mannie
bairn -> bairnie
wife -> wifie
postman -> postie
beast -> beastie
janitor -> jannie
For example:-
photo -> photie
man -> mannie
bairn -> bairnie
wife -> wifie
postman -> postie
beast -> beastie
janitor -> jannie
January 12, 2026 at 11:42 AM
I'm slowly working through my Doric word list, there's a category of words where they have the -ie ending, it's a "Class-maintaining Derivational Suffix"
For example:-
photo -> photie
man -> mannie
bairn -> bairnie
wife -> wifie
postman -> postie
beast -> beastie
janitor -> jannie
For example:-
photo -> photie
man -> mannie
bairn -> bairnie
wife -> wifie
postman -> postie
beast -> beastie
janitor -> jannie
Reposted by illandancient.bsky.social
I broke the story yesterday that masked ICE agents (not DOJ) were removing items including a personal computer from the home of Jonathan Ross, the ICE agent who shot Renee Good. I have yet to see a single news outlet cover this or an elected official even acknowledge it.
NEW: These are ICE agents removing evidence from the shooter's home. They are not DOJ, they are Jonathan Ross's friends and coworkers, not DOJ.
This agent removing Ross's personal computer was reported yesterday Jan 9 for boxing in a volunteer and telling them "I'll dedicate my next arrest to you"
This agent removing Ross's personal computer was reported yesterday Jan 9 for boxing in a volunteer and telling them "I'll dedicate my next arrest to you"
January 10, 2026 at 7:32 PM
I broke the story yesterday that masked ICE agents (not DOJ) were removing items including a personal computer from the home of Jonathan Ross, the ICE agent who shot Renee Good. I have yet to see a single news outlet cover this or an elected official even acknowledge it.
I drew a self-portrait today. Im quite proud of it, so I wish to share it with youse.
The light grey felt pens are so cool, letting you build up areas of shadow with worrying about buggering it up.
The light grey felt pens are so cool, letting you build up areas of shadow with worrying about buggering it up.
January 10, 2026 at 9:46 PM
I drew a self-portrait today. Im quite proud of it, so I wish to share it with youse.
The light grey felt pens are so cool, letting you build up areas of shadow with worrying about buggering it up.
The light grey felt pens are so cool, letting you build up areas of shadow with worrying about buggering it up.
Reposted by illandancient.bsky.social
If a human was being paid to create this material, we’d rightly throw the book at them. So why should X get a free pass?
Fine them to the hilt and if they won’t comply, shut it down. We wouldn’t tolerate this offline. Why online?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... 2/2
Fine them to the hilt and if they won’t comply, shut it down. We wouldn’t tolerate this offline. Why online?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... 2/2
Elon Musk's Grok AI image editing limited to paid users after deepfakes
It comes after government urged Ofcom to use all its powers – up to and including an effective ban – against X.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 9, 2026 at 9:13 AM
If a human was being paid to create this material, we’d rightly throw the book at them. So why should X get a free pass?
Fine them to the hilt and if they won’t comply, shut it down. We wouldn’t tolerate this offline. Why online?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... 2/2
Fine them to the hilt and if they won’t comply, shut it down. We wouldn’t tolerate this offline. Why online?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... 2/2