Hi Ray. I've mentioned this a time or two, but it bears repeating, especially with your request. The very best online Scots dictionary is: http://www.dsl.ac.uk/dsl/index.html As described at the main page, the database "comprises electronic editions of the two major historical dictionaries of the Scots language: the 12-volume Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (DOST) and the 10-volume Scottish National Dictionary (SND). DOST contains information about Scots words in use from the twelfth to the end of the seventeenth centuries (Older Scots); and SND contains information about Scots words in use from 1700 to the 1970s (modern Scots). Together these 22 volumes provide a comprehensive history of Scots, and a New Supplement now (2005) brings the record of the language up to date. These are therefore essential research tools for anyone interested in the history of either Scots or English language, and for historical or literary scholars whose sources are written in Scots or may contain Scots usages." Here's an online general guide to Scots pronunciation: http://www.dickgaughan.co.uk/songs/scots/01-language.html I also found a page with these few general guidelines: SOUND/WORD PRONUNCIATION ch This is an aspirated ‘k’ sound as in the German ‘ach’. Gaelic This celtic language spoken in Scotland (‘Gàidhlig’) has a whole range of sounds that can be learned only by hearing them. glottal stop In some areas of Scotland (e.g. Glasgow), the final ‘t’ of a word is not pronounced. Instead the throat is closed to cut the word off. Thus ‘bit’ might sound more like ‘bih’ (with a short and truncated vowel), or ‘water’ as ‘wa-er’. Milngavie A town near Glasgow whose pronunciation is commonly used to confuse visitors (‘Mil-guy’ or ‘Mul-guy’). -ing The final ‘g’ is often elided (e.g. ‘walking’ sounds like ‘walkin’). qu This is silent in some proper names (e.g. Colquhoun = ‘Co-hoon’). stress The pattern of stress is usually that of English, but in some proper names the last syllable is stressed (e.g. Dun-bar, Dun-lop). r This is rolled on the tongue. z This is silent in some proper names (e.g. Culzean = ‘Cul-ain’, Dalziel = ‘Dee-el’, Menzies = ‘Ming-is’). Several years ago, I designed a "Scots Glossary" game for a family reunion, and it went over extremely well. I'd be more than happy to send you my game in a text file. If you like it, all you'd need to do is find the correct pronunciations. I know you'll have great fun with your reunion! Regards, Loretta -----Original Message----- From: ayrshire-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:ayrshire-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Ray Pearse Sent: Friday, March 19, 2010 10:23 AM To: Ayrshire-L@rootsweb.co Subject: [AYR] Scottish pronunciation Can anyone tell me if there is a site or even a book on pronunciation. We are having a Family Reunion & would like to have a contest on meaning & pronunciation. All our Scottish born relatives are gone & only us Canadians are left & for some unknown reason very few of us picked up the Scottish tongue & now are sorry. Elizabeth in Canada -- I am using the free version of SPAMfighter. We are a community of 6 million users fighting spam. SPAMfighter has removed 4156 of my spam emails to date. Get the free SPAMfighter here: http://www.spamfighter.com/len The Professional version does not have this message ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to AYRSHIRE-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message