ENGLISH / ULSTER-SCOTS GLOSSARY

ULSTER-SCOTS LANGUAGE GUIDES

A Core Vocabulary Wordlist with Verb Tables

Compiled and edited by

Philip Robinson

Published by The Ullans Press for

The Ulster-Scots Academy Implementation Group and the Ulster-Scots Language Society

IMPRINT DETAILS

This glossary is based on the dictionary database collections of the Ulster-Scots Language Society, including verb tables and other extracts from P Robinson's Ulster-Scots: A Grammar of the Traditional Written and Spoken Language, 2nd edition (Ullans Press, 2007) and the spellings used for all words covered by the deliberations of the Spelling Standards Committee conform to the spelling standards agreed in partnership with the Ulster-Scots Academy Implementation Group.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without the prior permission of the Ulster-Scots Language Society.

Copyright © Philip Robinson and the Ulster-Scots Language Society 2012

ISBN 1-905281-20-X (hard copy)

This digital edition 2013

INTRODUCTION

This wordlist and verb tables are intended to provide learners with a guide to the Ulster-Scots words and forms that equate to a basic core vocabulary of the most common English words. Some, indeed many, of these words are shared between English and Ulster-Scots, but are nevertheless included here.

For distinctive Ulster-Scots vocabulary that is still current, see James Fenton's The Hamely Tongue, and for a detailed account of the grammatical rules for Ulster-Scots verbs, see Philip Robinson's Ulster-Scots: A Grammar of the Traditional Written and Spoken Language.

The Ulster-Scots spellings given in this glossary are those agreed by the Spelling Standardisation Committee of the Ulster-Scots Academy Implementation Group on completion of its first phase of spelling standardisation.

ABBREVIATIONS

adj - adjective

adv - adverb, adverbial

conj - conjunction

def art - definite article

indef art - indefinite article

n - noun

n pl - plural noun

phr - phrase

prep - preposition

pron - pronoun

v - verb

vbl n - verbal noun

v neg - negative verb

v pt - verb past tense

v pp - verb past participle

(hist.) - historical, i.e. only attested in older literature

(loc.) - local, i.e. this form only current in one locality

(lit.) - literary, i.e. older form revived for formal or literary use

(occas.) - occasional

(joc.) - jocular

(emph.) - emphatic, i.e. only when the form bears positional stress

Note on diacritics (accents).

Where accents appear on vowels in Ulster-Scots, they indicate features of pronunciation and can be omitted without any change to spelling (see Spelling and Pronunciation Guide). There are only three recommended for standard use:

a) ï (diæresis over 'i')

This is to represent English short 'i' in words such as 'pig and 'pin' when it is pronounced distinctively in an Ulster-Scots homonym

e.g. pïg/pig

b) ü (diæresis over 'u')

This is to represent English short 'u' in words such as 'pull', 'bush', 'bull' when it is pronounced distinctively in an Ulster-Scots homonym

e.g. büsh/bush [pronounced to rhyme with "hush "]

c) è (grave accent over 'e')

This is to represent an interdental pronunciation of the preceding consonant when followed by '-er'

e.g. eftèr/efter

GLOSSARY

a

b

c

d

e

f

g

h

i

j

k

l

m

n

o

p

q

r

s

t

u

v

w

y

A

a indef art a; (hist.) ane

able adj fit; (sometimes perjorative) able; (a~ to) fit tae, can dae

about prep (near to) aboot, nearhan; (concerning) adae wi, aboot, o, anent; (approximately) or sae, aboot, or that, roon; (because of) wi, aboot

above prep abain; (a~ my head) awa abain me

act n ect, (of Parliament) Ect; (a~ of despair, etc.) daen in desperation, etc. v ect (tha lig, etc.); dae (ocht); (in a play) play-ect; acts, events vbl n pl daeins

action n ection; (hist.)(lit.) actioun

add v add; (a~ up) coont

across adv ower; (hist.) athort

afraid adj feart, afeart, scarred, ascarred

after adv eftèr

afternoon n eftèrnuin, evenin

again adv agane

against prep agin, (loc.) agane

age n (period) days (o); (person) age

ago adv bak; (long a~) (hist.) lang syne

agree v agree, gae alang wi

air n air, (tune) tune

alive adj leevin

all adj aa, al

allow v alloo, let

almost adv maistlie, near, gyely

alone adv alane; on (his) lane

along adv alang; prep langwyes

also adv forbye, anaa, tae, as weel; (hist.) eke

always adv aye

am v am, be, bis, bes

among adv amang

amount n feck, amoont

an indef art an; (hist.) ane

and conj an

anger n ang'r

animal n annymal

another adj anither

answer n answer, (hist.) repone; v gie answer, mak answer

any adj onie

anyone n oniebodie

anything n ocht, oniethin

appear v mak an appearance, (hist.) kythe

apple n epple

April n Aprile

are v ir, is, be, bes; (a~ to) maun

aren't v neg irnae, isnae, binnae, bisnae

arm n airm

around prep aroon, roon, aboot, roon aboot; (all a~) aa roon

arrange v set up, fix up

arrive v cum; (reach) win, land

art n airt

as adv / conj as, lake, fur, whan

as far as adv tha lenth o

as soon as adv tha minit, as shane as

as was (his) custom adv phr lake (he) aye daen

as well adv anaa, forbye, tae, as weel

ask v ax, ast, speer

asked v pt ast, axt, speered

asleep v sleepin

at prep at

at all adv ava

ate v pt et

August n Agust

autumn n autumn, bak en o tha yeir, (lit.) hairst

away adv awa

[start of glossary]

B

baby n ba, babbie, wean, bairn

back n bak, (loc.) bek; exclamation (horse command) bik!; (on / to the b~) a-bak

bad adj ill; (sick) bad

bag n baag

ball n baa

band n ban

bank n bank, (loc.) benk; (peat) bink, broo

bar n (door) boult, bar

base n fit; (building foundation) foonds, fittins

basic adj main

bat n bat

be v be; (habitual, emphatic) bes; (habitual, unemphatic) bis (see also was, is, are etc.)

beach n shore

bear v (endure) thole; (carry) cairry; (fruit) cum oot

beard n baird

beast n beece

beat v bate, thong; (severely) battèr, whale

beautiful adj bonnie, bricht, guid lukkin, beautyfu; (hist.) lovesome

because conj acause, fur, seein, because; (b~ of) fur, oot o, ower tha heid o, on accoont o

become v get; v pt got; (becoming) got

bed n bed

been v pp bin

before adv afore, in front o, or; (b~ ever) or iver

began v pt begood, begun

begin v stairt, join

behind adv ahint, behin; (b~ a person's back) ahint baks

believe v heed, credit, tak (it) in; (hist.) trow

bell n bell

belong v belang

below adv alow, unnèr

beneath adv unnèr, aneath, in alow

beside adv aside, agin

besides conj aside frae, forbye

best adj best

better adj bettèr; v (get the b~ of) get tha best o

between adv atween: (hist.) aqweest; (b~ now and then) (hist.) atween an

beyond adv ayont

big adj bïg, muckle

bird n burd

bit n bït

black adj blak, (loc.) blek

blind adj blin

block n block, jorr

blood n bluid

blow n bat, blarge, bleech, bleenge, booch, dig, kep, leenge, mell, reeve, skite, sleenge, snirt, sother, sowse, sugh; (heavy) keb, stemisher; (severe) whizeek

blow v blaa, blaw

blue adj blue, (loc.) bue; (in compounds) blae-; (b~berry) n blaeberrie; (b~bottle) n maggot-flee

board n boord

boat n boat, (local) bóat

body n bodie

bog n boag; (peat) moss

bold adj boul

bone n bane

book n buik

boot n buit

born v boarn

both adj baith

bottom n (base) fit; airse

bought v pt bocht

bowl n bowle

box n box

boy n lad, gossoon, weefla, wee fella, weetchil

branch n brench

bread n breid; (b~ roll) bap

break v brek

bridge n brig

bright adj bricht

bring v bring; (put one's way) throw

broad adj braid

broken v pp broke, (loc.) brok, bust, bustit

brother n brither

brought v pt brocht, brung

brown adj broon

build v big

bull n büll

burn v burn, (hist.) brun

bush n büsh

busy adj bizzie, (be) aa go

but conj bot, but; (but for) onlie fur

buy v buy; (b~ for) trait

by prep bi, by; wi, gin; (b~ the time) agin, gin; (b~ way of) in tha wye o

by adv bye

[start of glossary]

C

call v caa, cat; (summon or name) cry; (c~ names) miscaa

came v pt cum

can v can, (be) fit tae; v pt cud

can't v cannae

cap n kep; (cloth) duncher; (peaked) skoopie kep

car n car, mottor-car

card n caird

care v (for) luk eftèr; (about) care; (take c~) tak tent, tak heed; (doesn't c~) disnae fash (himsel); no bothered (aboot)

carry v cairry; (heavy) hump

cart n cairt

case (in c~) adv fur fear; (in any c~) oniehoo

cat n ket, brimmie, pooshie

catch v ketch, catch; v pt ketched, catched; (rabbits at night) lamp; (trout by tickling) ginnle; n (door) snib

cattle n kye, beece

caught v pt catched; (c~ out) had

cause n cause, (loc.) caase

centre n middle, hairt; (town c~) hairt o tha toon, doon tha toon

certain adj certes, sure

certainly adv fur certes, fur sure; (hist.) atweel

chair n chair, sait

chance n chance, (loc.) chaunce

change v shift; (weather) cum in; (one's mind) rue

chest n (body) breesht, kist; (container) kist

chimney n lum, chimley

child n wean, chile, pappin, grouselin; (boy) weefla; (girl) weelass; (lively) flin

children n pl childèr, weans

choose v chuse

choosey adj parteeklar

Christmas n Chrissmas; (occas.) Chrissymas; (hist.)(lit.) Yule, Yuletide, Yuletim

church n, adj kirk; (Presbyterian) meetin-hoose; (Roman Catholic) chapel; (Episcopal) church

cinema n pictèr-hoose

circle n circle, ring, roon

city n cïtie

class n cless; (level at school) buik

clean adj clain; v dae oot, redd oot

cleaning n reddin oot

clear adj apen, clear; v (one's head or liquid) shire

clear out v redd oot

climb v clim, (tree) speel

clock n clock; (wall) wag-at-tha waa

close v shut; (eyes) bab

cloth n (dish, floor, etc.) cloot; (material) claith

clothe v cleed; v pt cled

clothes n claes; (rough, wearing) palyins; (casual) dishables; (poor) duds; (garments) dollies; (cheap and flashy) fal-de-lals; (tattered) joggins

clothing n claes; (stitch of) dud

cloud n clood

coarse adj coorse, ruch

coast n shore

coat n coat, (loc.) cóat; (light, of paint) sleek; (woman's, loose) jeeger

cold adj coul, stairvin; (wind) nirlin; (in nature) coulrife

collect v gether

college n college

colour n colour

comb n kame

come v cum; (unexpectedly) land; v pt cum

common adj plain

compare v tak, luk at

compared to conj besides, agin, compared wi

complete adj (absolute) fair, parfait; (whole) hale, ins an oots, frae en tae yin

connect v connect, join up

considerable adj some, brave; (c~ number) brave wheen

consist v (be) made up (o)

contain v houl (bak)

contented adj (be) contentit

continue v cairry on, conteenye

control v hannle

cook v cook

cool adj (of a person) distant; v cool (it) doon

copy n copie; v mak a copie

cord n coard

corn n coarn

corner n (in a road) ben, loop; n pl neuks an crannies v corner; 'corner' (a person) (local) yock

correct adj richt

cost n coast

could v cud

couldn't v cudnae

council n cooncil

count v coont

country n kintrie

couple n (pair) kipple, twa, twasome; n pl (roof trusses) kipples adj (few) twarthie

course adj coorse

cow n coo, chaytie, baste

cows n coos, kye

cream n craim

cross adj crabbit; n cross

crow n craa, craw; (hooded) corbie, hoodie; (c~ stepped gable) corbie steps, craa-step't gaivel

crowd n thrang, crood; v crood, thrang

crown n croon

cry v greet; (howl) foof, bilyor

cunning adj fly, sleekit

cup n kip; (hist.) bicker

cut n, v cut

[start of glossary]

D

dad n da, daddie

dance n dance, (loc.) daunce, hooley, jeeg, swarrie; v dance, (joc.) lep aboot; (take a partner) lift

danger n danger

dare v dar, durst, offer

daren't v neg darnae, durstnae

dark n dairk, mirk; (in nature) dairksome; adj mirkie

daughter n dochter

dawn n scraich o day

day n day

dead v deid; (d~ nettle) n day-nettle

deaf adj deef

deafen v deeve

deal n dale; v dale, prig

December n December, (loc.) Decemmer

decide v pick

depend on v lippen

depth n depth, tha deep o (it)

describe v rin ower

determine v set (oot)

determined adj (hae yer) mine set on

devil n deil, divil, tha bad yin, tha bad man, tha ill yin, tha sorra (in phrases like) sorra tha yin, sorra faa ye, rin lake tha sorra; (hist.) Auld Sim

develop v growe

dictionary n dictionar, wurd buik

did v pt dïd, daen

didn't v dïdnae, niver

die v dee

died v pt deed

differ v gae agin

difference n dïffrence, (loc.) dïffers

different adj dïffrent, dïffrenter agane

difficult adj awkart, thran; (hist.) thrawart; (task, question, etc.) hard; (person) thran; (d~ task) siege, tellure

direct v road, airt; (a blow) (hist.) ettle

direction n airt

directly adv (straight) fair; (at once) strecht aff, richt awa

discuss v collogue, taak aboot, rin ower

disgust n v scunnèr

distance n far, farness, lenth, swutch; (hist.) abeich; (at a d~) far aff, thonner

divide v sinnèr, pairt; (equally) half

divided v pt divid; (arithmetic) gaes intae; (badly d~) (unfair) ill divid

do v dae; v pt dïd, daen; vbl n pl daeins

doctor n doctor, doc

doesn't v disnae

dog n doag, (loc.) dug, coallie (doag)

done v pp daen, din

don't v dïnnae

door n dure, (loc.) dorr double n dooble

doubt n doot

down adv doon

draw v draa

dream n draim, dream

dress v get / pit on (ye); (turnips) sned

drink v drink; (occasionally) tak a wee drap; (deeply) glug; n jorum, drink; (small) sope

drive n (initiative) go, adae; v (hard) coard; (workers) herresh; (at great speed) flake, whale

driven v pp driv

drop n v drap, (loc.) drop

drove v pt driv

drown v droon

duck n deuck; v jook

dusk n dailygan, gloamin

dust n stour; (fine, from flax-scutching) powce

dwell v bide, leeve

[start of glossary]

E

each adj iverie; (hist. and lit.) ilk, ilka; pron. (something e~) apiece

ear n. lug

early adj adv earlie; (e~ morning) scraich o day

earth n warl, yirth

ease v let oot; (done with e~) easie daen

east n east

easy adv easie

eat v eat

edge n en, edge; (of water) side; (of a cliff) tap

effect n ootcum, effect; (have e~) dae

egg n egg

eight n echt

eighteen n echteen

eighty n echtie

either adj adv ether, yin or tither

elbow n elba

electric n, adj lectric

element n bït; (of a heater) bar

else adv else; (or e~) (local) or less; (e~where) some ither place

empty adj empie

end n en

endure v thole

enemy n enemie, (hist.) fae

energy n go, drive, pooer

engine n ingin

England n Inglan

enough adj adv eneuch

enter v cum (on) in, ga' in; (exam, etc.) (pit) in fur

entire adj hale

environment n surroonds

equal adj aa tha yin, aa tha same

equate v (coont) tha same

especially adv specially, maistlie

even adj even, flet; adv even

evening n nicht

event n daeins

ever adv iver, aye

every adj iverie

eye n ee; n pl. een

exact adj exect, dead on

example n (as an e~) fur yin; (take, for e~) luk at tha

except adv apairt frae

excite v get ye gaun

exercise v get a bit o exercise

expect v (be) lukkin

experience n event, ee-apener

[start of glossary]

F

face n face, (abusive, jocular) bake

fact n feet

fair adj (just) richt, (legal) (hist.) jonick, (tolerable) middlin, (a f~ number) a guid (brave, etc.) wheen

fall v faa, fal

family n femlie

famous adj weel-knowed, weel-kent

far adv far

farm n fairm

fast adv adj quïck

fat n creesh; adj (of a person) fat, stoot

father n faither, daddie, da

favour n a guid turn

fear n scar, (be) scarred

feast n (festive) boord; (large meal) feed; v (f~ yourself) get thon doon ye

February n Febuarie, (lit.) Februar

feeble adj wake

feed n feed, rozner, charge, (joc.) tarnisher; v feed, eat

feel v feel, graip

feet n feet

fell v pt fell

fellow n fella

few n wheen, adj twarthie

field n fiel

fifth adj fift, fith

fight n fecht

figure n figger

fill v fill

final adj last

find n (discovery) fin; v fin

fine adj brave, guid, gran

finger n fing'r

finish n en

finished v pt daen

fire n fire; (kitchen) apen hairth, ingle

first adj furst

fish n fish

fit n,v fit

five adj five

flag n fleg

flat adj flet

flea n flay

floor n flure, (loc.) flare

flour n flure

flow v flowe, rin

flower n flooer

fly n v flee

fold v foul

folk n fowk, folk

follow v follae

food n meat, fuid

foot n fit

football n fitba

for prep fur, for

force v gar, mak

foreigner n stranger; (to a district) blaa-in

forest n plantin, wuid

form n foarm

fortnight n foartnicht

forty n foartie

forward adv forrit, (loc.) fort

found v pt fun

foundation n ruit; (of a building) fittins

four adj fower; (local) fivver

fraction n frection

free adj free, fur naethin

fresh adj fresh

Friday n Friday

friend n freen, billie

fright n scar

from conj frae, (unstressed [fae])

front adj front

frown n froon, scooly

fruit n fruit

full adj fu, füll

fumble v fummle

fun n fun

fundamental adj main

furniture n furnytèr, plenishin

[start of glossary]

G

gable n gaivel

gain v wun

gale n stoarm

gamble v gemmle

game n game, diversion

gang n geng

garden n gairden

gas n ges

gate n gate; (hist.) yett; (field opening) slap

gather v gether

gave v pt gien, (occas.) gied

general adj genèral

gentle adj saft

gentlemen n pl (ladies and g~) guid fowks, yin an aa

get v get

ghost n ghaist

girl n lass, hizzie

give v gie

glad adj gled

glass adj n gless

go v gae (unstressed [ga]), gang (pronounced [gan])

gold adj goold

golf n gowf

gone adv gane, awa; (has g~) haes went, haes gaed

good adj guid

got v pt got

government n goverment

grand adj gran

grant n grant, allooance; v alloo

grass n gress

great adj muckle, great

green adj green

grew v pt growed, grew

grey adj gray

ground n grun

grow v growe

guide v road, airt, grist

gun n gun

[start of glossary]

H

had v pt haed

hair n hair

half adj half, (loc.) hauf

Halloween n Halleve

hand n han; (loc.) haun

hang v hing

happen v cum aboot

happy adj gledsome, blythe

hard adj hard

harmful adj hairmfu

has v haes

hat n kep, bonnet

have v hae

he pron he

head n heid: (h~ ache) sair heid; (h~stone) heidstane

hear v hear (tell)

heard v pt heerd

heart n hairt

heat n heat; v pt het

heavy adj wechtie

held v pt hel

help n help; v gie a han, gie a help

her pron hir

here pron here

high adj heich

hill n brae, hïll

him pron hïm

himself refl pron hissel

his adj hïs

history n hïstrie

hit v pt hut

hold v houl

hole n hole

hollow n holla

home n hame

hope n hope

horse n horse; (riding) pownie; (mare) meer

hot adj het, wairm

hour n oor

house n hoose

how adv hoo, whut-wye; (usually in questions, relating to size or amount) tha, e.g. 'Is that tha much it is?'

huge adj muckle, gret big

hundred n hunnèr, (occas.) a-hunnèr

hunger n hung'r

hunt v hunt

hurry v hie, (be) in a hurry

[start of glossary]

I

I pron A; (hist, and emph.) I

ice n ice; (i~ cream) ice-craim; (cone) poke, (wafer) slider

idea n thocht; (concept) notion

if conj ïf, gin; (hist.) gif, gin

imagine v pictèr, think; (suspect) jalouse, doot

in prep ïn

inch n ïnch

include v tak in, bring in

indicate v point til

industry n ïndustrie

insect n bug, insect

instant n mïnit

interest n intèrest

invent v mak, cum up wi

Ireland n Airlan

iron n, adj airn

is v be, ïs, bis, etc.

island n isle, islan

it pron ït, (loc.) hit

[start of glossary]

J

January n Januarie, (lit.) Januar

job n jab, (loc.) job

join v join

joy n joy; (joyous) joysome

July n Julie

jump v lep

June n Juin

just prep jaist

[start of glossary]

K

keep v keep, houl

kept v pt kep

key n key

kill v kïll

kind adj kine

king n kïng, keeng

knew v pt knowed, kent

know v know, ken; (I don't k~) (freq) A cudnae say

[start of glossary]

L

lady n wumman; n pl weemen, wimmenfowk

laid v pt laid

lake n lough; (small) hole

land n Ian

language n tongue, lang'age; (hist.)(lit.) leid

large adj bïg

last adj last; (at l~ ) at tha hinnèr en: (l~ night) yesterday nicht

late adv late

laugh v lach

law n laa

lead¹ v road, airt

lead² n (metal) leed

learn v lairn

least adj weest, smaalest

leave v lea, (loc.) lee

led v pt led

left adv, adj left

leg n leg

length n lenth

less adj unnèr, less

let v let; v pt lut, let

letter n lettèr

level adj flet

lie (down) v lie

(tell a) lie v lee

life n life; (all my l~) aa ma days

lift n, v lift

light n, adj licht

like v lake, like

line n line

list n lïst, (hist.) leet

listen v listen, gie ear til; (carefully) tak tent

little adj wee

live v leeve

locate v pit, fin

log n log

lonely adj lonesome

long adj lang

look v luk, tak a luk

lost adj loast

lot n (brave, guid, etc.) wheen

loud adj lood; (too l~) wud deeve ye, ower lood

love v love; (hist.) lo'e

low adj laich

[start of glossary]

M

made v pt made; (hist.) makkit

main adj main

major adj main, bïgger, (gye) bïg

make v mak

man n man

many adj monie, (guid, brave, etc.) wheen, (people) monies a yin

March n Mairch

mark n mairk

market n mairket

master n maistèr

match n match

material n stuff

matter n mettèr

may v micht

May n Mey

me pron me

mean v mean

measure n, v misure

meat n mate, (loc.) meat; (all butcher's m~) beef

meet v meet

melody n tune, air

men n men, menfowk

method n wye

midday n nuin, heich twal, dennèrtim

middle n mïddle

might n, v micht

mile n mile; n pl mile

milk n mïlk; (pass the m~) (joc.) pass tha coo

million n mïllion

mind v mine

mine pron mine

minute n mïnit

miss v mïss

mix v mïx

modern adj modren

moment n mïnit

Monday n Münday

money n money, catter; (hist.)(lit.) siller

month n month; (hist.) mond

moon n muin

more adj mair

morning n moarnin, forenuin

most adj maist

mother n mither, ma, mammie

motion n shift, (loc.) mavement

mountain n moontain; (loc.) murntin

mouth n mooth, bake (hist.) mou

move v shïft, (loc.) mave

much adj much, muckle

multiply v get mair an mair, get bigger; (maths) (m~ by) times

music n music, (lit.) musick

must v maun

my pron ma

[start of glossary]

N

name n name; (what is your n~ ?) whut dae the' caa ye?

narrow adj nerra

nation n fowk; (hist.) lede; (lit.) natioun

natural adj natèral

nature n natèr; (in his n~) tha wye o him

near adj nearhan

nearer adv neardèr

neat adj nait

necessary adv needit

neck n neck

need v need; v neg neednae

neighbour n nighber

neither adj nether

nephew n nevye

never adv niver

new adj new; (n~ thing) newance

next adj nixt; (hist.) neist

night n nicht

nine n nine

no adj nae

no interj na

noise n soon

none adv nane

noon n nuin; heich twal

no-one pron naebodie

nor conj nor

north n (loc.) noarth

northern adj noarn, (hist.) norlin

nose n neb, cootèr

not adv no, (loc.) naw

note n note

nothing adv naethin

notice n notys, (loc.) notish

November n November, (loc.) Novemmer

now adv noo

nowhere adv naewhar, naeplace

number n nummer

numeral n nummer

nut n nut, (hist.) nit

[start of glossary]

O

object n thing, airticle; v (be, go against, etc.) agin

obligation n (hist.)(lit.) obligatioun

observe v watch, owersee

occur v happen, cum aboot

ocean n sea, ocean

October n Uptober, October

of conj o

off adv aff

offer v dale, mak an offer

office n offys

often adv affen

oh excl ach

oil n oil

old adj oul; (hist.) auld

on prep on

once adv yinst, yince, (hist.) ance

one n yin, (hist.) ane

one adj yin, (hist.) ae, yae

only adj onlie, (loc.) onie, (hist.) ae, yae

open adj, adv apen

operate v work

opposite adv forenent

or conj or

order n, v ordèr

organ n (church) organ, kist o whussles; (body) inside pairts

original adj furst, oreeginal

other adj ither

our adj oor, (loc.) wor

out adv oot

over adv ower, (loc.) ivver

own adj ain

oxygen n air, oxygen

[start of glossary]

P

page n page

pail n bucket

pain n hurt, pain

painful adj sair, painfu

paint v gie a (lick/coat, etc.) o paint

pair n twa, twasome, kipple

pal n mate, cronie, billie

palm n loof; (grease the p~) creesh tha loof

paper n paper

parcel n paircel

parent n mither an/or faither

parish n pairish

park n pairk

part n pairt

particular adj yin, parteeklar

party n pairtie

pass v pass

past adv bye, aa bye

path n pad

pattern n pattren

pay v pye

peace n peace

peg n peg

pen n pen

people n fowk, yins

perhaps adv aiblins

period n (of history) days o; (of time) while; (punctuation) füll stap

permit n pass; v let

person n bodie

phrase n phrase

pick v (tak a) pick

Pict n Pecht

picture n pictèr

piece n bit; (big) wudge, jorr

pig n pïg, soo; (p~ sty) pïg-hoose, pïg-crew

pin n pïn

pipe n pipe

plain adj plain; (landscape) flet apen grun

plan n plan; v ettle

plane n plane

planet n warl

plant n, v plant, pit in

play v spoart

please v plaise

plural adj mair nor yin

pocket n poaket, pooch

poem n póame

point n, v point

poor adj puir

population n fowk

port n (loc.) poart

pose v (a question) ax; (p~ as) let on tae be

position n wye, whar-aboots, poseetion

possess v own, hae

possibly adv aiblins

post n post, (loc.) poast

pot n pot

pound n pun, poon

power n pooer

practice n prectice

practise v prectise

pray v mak a prayer, pray

prepare v mak/get readie

present adv here; n gift, (hist.) hansel; (at p~) jaist noo

press v püsh

pretty adj guid-luikin, sonsie, cantie

print n, v prent; v pt prentit

probable adj maist likelie

probably adv maist likelie, aply

problem n problem, puzzler

process n wye o daein; v pit throu

produce v brïng/pit oot

product n ootcum, produce

proper adj richt, proper

property n property

protect v gie sheltèr; (hist.) bield; pertect, protect

prove v prove

provide v gie

pull v (gie a) pu, püll

push v (gie a) püsh

put v pit

[start of glossary]

Q

quality adj guid

quarter n quartèr

queen n queen

queer adj odd; (hist.) unco

question n questin; v quuz; (hist.) speer

quick adv quïck

quiet adj quait

quilt n quult

quit v quät

quite adv brave an, gye an, quare an, etc.

[start of glossary]

R

rabbit n rebbit

race n (nation) fowk, (hist.) leid; v race

radio n wireless

rail n rail

rain v rain

raise v raise, (st) rise

ran v pt run

rather adv rether

reach v (a place) reach, wun tae; (stretch out) rax

read v (hae a) read

ready adv readie

real adj rael

rear v rair (rairin tae go); adj bak

reason n raison, cause

receive v get

record n recaird

record v recoard

red adj rid

region n district

remember v mine

repeat v gae ower agane

reply n (gie an) answer; (hist.)(lit.) repone

represent v reprysent

require v need, cud dae wi

rest v (hae a) rest

result n result

rich adj weel-aff

ride v ride; v pt rid

right n, adj richt

ring n rïng

rise n rise, (occas.) raise

river n wattèr

road n road; (loc.) róad; (hist.) gate

rock n roak

rode v pt rid

roll v rowle, (hist.) row

room n room; (hist.) chammer

root n ruit

rope n raip

rose n rose

round adj roon

row n raa

rub v (gie a) rub, (loc.) rib

rule n rule

run v rin

[start of glossary]

S

safe adj safe

safety n safetie

said v pt sayed, allooed; (he/s~) qo he, q'he

sail n, v sail

salt n saut

same adj same; (the s~) tha yin

sand n san

sad adj doonhairtit, aa doon

sat v pt sut

Saturday n Settèrday

saucer n sasser

save v save

saw v pt saa, seen

say v say

school n schuil

science n science

score n score

Scotland n Scotlan

Scots n (the language) Scotch

Scottish adj Scotch

sea n sea

search v hunt, luk fur

season n saison

seat n sait

second adj saicont

section n pairt, slice, bït

see v see

seed n seed

select v pick

self pron sel

sell v sell

September n September, (loc.) Septemmer

send v sen

sense n (suspect) jalouse; (common s~) wut

sent v pt sent

serve v serve

session n (hist.)(lit.) sessioun

set v set

shadow n shedda

share v divide

sharp adj shairp

she pron she, hir

sheet n sheet

shell n shell

shine v shine

ship n boat, (loc.) bóat

shoe n (hist.)(loc.) shae

shoes n pl shune

shop n shap, (loc.) shop

shore n shore

short adj shoart

should v shud

shouldn't v neg shudnae

shoulder n shoother

shout v (gie a) shout, guldèr, gowl

show v show

sick adj seek

side n side

sigh n seich

sight n sicht

sign n sign

silence n wheesht, quait

silver adj siller

similar adj like, lake

simple adj simple, easy

since prep frae

sing v sïng, gie a sang

single adj sïng'l

sister n sïstèr

sit v sït

six adj sïx

size n (what s~ is it?) hoo big is it?

skill n skill, knak; (skilful) knakky

skin n skin

sky n sky, lift

sleep v (hae a) sleep

slip v skid, skite

slow adv slow

small adj smaa, wee

smart adj smairt, clivver, able

smell n smell, whiff, hoag

smile v (gie a ) smile, smirk

snake n snake

snow n snaa

so adv, conj sae

soap n saip

soft adj saft

soil n soil, grun, moul, clie

sold v pt soul, (occas.) selt

soldier n sodger

solution n answer

solve v work oot

some adj some

son n sin, (Biblical) sinn; (The S~ of God) Tha Sinn o God

song n sang

soon adv shane, soon

sorrow n sorra

soul n sowl

sound n soon

south n sooth

speak v taak, speak; (he s~ Scots) he taaks Scotch

special adj special

speech n taak

speed v hie, speed, flee

spell n (of time) while; (magic) blink

spend v spen

spot n spot

spread v (scatter) skail; (evenly) spreid, spread

spring n spring; (season) Sprïngtim, Spr&iumlng o tha yeir

sprout v sproot

square n square

stand v stan

star n star; (hist.) starn

start n stairt, join tae

state n (hist.) kintrie; (condition) state, condeetion

station n station

stay v stap (ower), stye

steam n steam

steel n steel

steep adj stye

step n step

stick n stick

still adv yit

stolen v pp stole

stone n stane

stood v pt stud

stop v quät

store v pit bye; (in s~) cumin

story n storie, yairn, levit

stout adj stoot

straight adv strecht

strange adj strange, odd

straw n strae

stream n burn, race, lade

street n raa, street

stretch v streetch

string n string

stroll v danner

strong adj strang

student n (be) at college, scholar; (hist.) collegianer

study v luk intae

stuff n stuff, (loc.) stiff

stumble v stummle

subject n point, main thing, (be) aboot

subtract v tak aff, tak awa

succeed v cum guid, bring (it) aff

such prep sitch, (hist.) sic

suddenly adv quïck, lake thon

sugar n shüggar

suggest v mak a suggestion, alloo

summer n simmer, simmertim

sun n sin

Sunday n Sünday; (hist.) tha Sabbath day

support n (prop) stay; v gie bakkin til, (be) for

sure adv shair

surprise n gunk; (pleasant) suprise; (unpleasant) supriser

swallow v swallae

swear v sweer

swim v sweem

swivel n sweel

swam v pt swum

symbolise v stan fur

system n wye o warkin

[start of glossary]

T

table n table; (hist.) boord

tail n tail

take v tak

talk v taak

tall adj lang, tal

teach v lairn

team n team

than pron nor

thank v thank

thanks n pl thenks

that pron that, thon

the def art tha, the

their pron thair

them pron thaim

then adv then there pron thair, thonner

these pron these, (hist.) (lit.) thir

they pron the',they

thick adj thïck

thin adj skinnie, poor

thing n thing

think v thïnk, doot; (suspect) jalouse

third adj thurd; (hist.) third

thirty n thurtie, (hist.) thritie

this pron this; (hist.) thir

those pron thaim; (hist.) (lit.) thae

though prep tha mair

thought n thocht

thousand n thoosan

three adj three, (hist.) (lit.) thrie

through adv throu, (hist.) (lit.) throch

throw v throw, clod

thumb n thoom

Thursday n Thorsday

thus adv sae

tie v tie

time n time, while

tiny adj wee

to adv tae, til

today n theday

together adv thegither

told v pt toul, telt

tomorrow n themorra

tonight n thenicht

too adv tae, anaa, forbye

took v tuk, (hist.) (lit.) taen

top n tap, heid

total n sum total, hale amoont

touch v touch

towards adv nixt

town n toon

track n trak, (loc.) trek

trade v dale

train n train, injin

travel v trevel, mak tha journey

tree n tree

triangle n triang'l

trip n trïp

trouble n bother

true adj richt

try v try

tube n pipe

Tuesday n Tuesday

turn v (gie a) turn, twust

twenty adj twuntie

two adj twa

type n soart

[start of glossary]

U

ugly adj uglie, ill lukkin

Ulster n Ulstèr

uncle n uncle

under adv unnèr

unit n yin, sïng'l

unless adv less

untie v loose

until adv tae

untrue adv lees, no richt

up adv up

upper adj tapmaist, upper

upright adj upricht

us pron iz; (hist. and emph.) us

use v uise

used to aux uist tae

(be) used to v phr (be) uised wi

usual adj usual

[start of glossary]

V

vacant adj empie

valid adj soon

valley n glen

value n valye

vary v change

venue n meetin place

very adj gye, pooerfu, wile

vest n simmit

vibrate v dinnle, (hae tha) tremmle(s)

view n sicht; (opinion) thinkin, thochts, mine; v (inspect) luk ower

village n village, wee toon

visit v kaylie, (loc.) kailye

vomit n boak, wattèr brash

[start of glossary]

W

wait v houl on; (w~ for) wait on

walk n (casual) dannèr; v waak

wall n waa

want v (be) eftèr, want

war n war

warm adj wairm

was v wus

wasn't v neg wusnae

wash v waash, (lit.) wesh

watch v watch

water n wattèr

way n wye, road

we pron we

weak adj wake

wear v pit on

weather n wather

Wednesday n Wensday

week n week, sennicht

weight n wecht

well n (water) wal

well adj weel

went v went

were v wur

weren't v neg wurnae

west n west, (hist.) wast

what adv whut, (lit.) quhat

wheel n wheel

whelk n wulk, wullick

when adv whan, whaniver, (lit.) quhan

where adv whar, whaur, (lit.) quhar

which pron whutch, (hist.) whilk, (lit.) quhilk;

while pron while, whaniver, (lit.) quhile

white adj white; (hist.) whit

who pron wha, (lit.) quha

whole adj hale

whose pron whase, (lit.) quhase

why interrog. fur why, why, (lit.) quhy

wide adj braid

wife n guidwife, wife

wild adj wile

will v wull

win v wun

wind n wun

window n wundae

wing n wïng

winter n wuntèr, wuntèrtim

wish v (hae, tak, etc. a) wush

with conj wi

woman n wumman, wimmenfowk

women n pl weemen

won't v neg winnae

wood n wud

wooden adj wudden

work n work, (loc.) wark, darg

would v wud

wouldn't v neg wudnae

write v write, pit doon; (hist.) scrieve

written v pp writ; (hist.) scrievit

wrong adv wrang

wrote v pt writ; (hist.) scrievit

[start of glossary]

Y

yard n yaird

year n yeir, twalmonth, (lit.) twalmond

yellow adj yella

yes affirm ay

yesterday n yistèrday, (hist.)(lit.) yestreen

yet adv yit

you pron ye; (hist. and emph.) you; pl yis; pl emphatic youse

young adj young

your pron yer; emphatic your

yours pron yours

a

b

c

d

e

f

g

h

i

j

k

l

m

n

o

p

q

r

s

t

u

v

w

y

ULSTER-SCOTS VERB TABLES

The Scots and Ulster-Scots past tense verb ending in '-it' or '-t' (rather than '-ed' or '-d') is a well-established historical form which also reflects a pronunciation difference with English. For example:

baked | - baket
laughed | - lacht
walked | - waakt, dannèrt
tipped | - coupt
wrestled | - wrasseltt
opened | - apen't

However, this only applies when the verbs are 'regular' or 'plain' verbs in both languages. The following tables set out in summary how verb forms change differently in English and Ulster-Scots to indicate the past.

PLAIN VERBS: Past Tense forms with a '-d' ending in Ulster-Scots and English

English verb | English past tense | Ulster-Scots verb | Ulster-Scots past tense
(beat) |  | whale | whaled
(build) |  | big | bigged
(endure) |  | thole | tholed
(hurry) |  | hie | hied
(select) |  | wale | waled
(trade) |  | dale | doled
allow | allowed | alloo | allooed
belong | belonged | belang | belanged
call | called | caa | caad
die | died | dee | deed
divide | divided | divide | divid
draw | drew | draa | draad
follow | followed | follae | follaed
hear | heard | hear | heerd
live | lived | leeve | leeved
loosen | loosened | loose | loosed
pay | paid | pye | pyed
please | pleased | plaise | plaised
roll | rolled | rowl | rowled
say | said | say | sayed

PLAIN VERBS: Past Tense forms with a "-t" ending in Ulster-Scots

English verb | English past tense | Ulster-Scots verb | Ulster-Scots past tense
(carry) |  | cairt | cairtit
(compel) |  | gar | gart
(cry) |  | greet | greetit, gret
(direct) |  | road | roadit
(dodge) |  | jook | jookt
(manage) |  | hannle | hannelt
(nudge) |  | dunt | duntit
(remember) |  | mine | mindit
(scatter) |  | skail | skailt
(sicken) |  | scunnèr | scunnèrt
(shout) |  | guldèr | guldèrt
(stroll) |  | dannèr | dannèrt
(teach) |  | lairn | lairnt
(tip over) |  | coup | coupt
act | acted | ect | edit
ask | asked | ax, ast | axt, ast
connect | connected | connect | connectit
count | counted | coont | coontit
drop | dropped | drap | drapt
drown | drowned | droon | droondit
fill | filled | fill | fillt
gather | gathered | gether | gethert
heed | heeded | heed | heedit
hunt | hunted | hunt | huntit
join | joined | join | joint
kill | killed | kïll | kïllt
laugh | laughed | lach | lacht
lift | lifted | lïft | lïftit
look | looked | luk | lukt
need | needed | need | needit
part | parted | pairt | pairtit
pick | picked | pïck | pïckt
plaster | plastered | plestèr | plestèrt
salt | salted | saut | sautit
shift | shifted | shïft | shïftit
start | started | stairt | stairtit
stop | stopped | stap | stapt
stretch | stretched | streetch | streetcht, streekit
talk | talked | taak | taakt, taakit
turn | turned | turn | turnt
walk | walked | waak | waakt, waakit

ENGLISH STRONG VERBS: Past Tense forms with a vowel sound change in English

English verb | English past tense | English past participle | Ulster-Scots verb | Ulster-Scots past tense | Ulster-Scots past participle
come | came | have come | cum | cum | hae cum
drink | drank | have drunk | drink | drunk | hae drunk
hang | hanged | have hung | hing | hung | hae hung
run | ran | have run | rin | run | hae run
sing | sang | have sung | sïng | sung | hae sung
swim | swam | have swum | sweem | swum | hae swum

IRREGULAR ENGLISH PLAIN VERBS:

English verb
English past tense
English past participle
Ulster-Scots verb
Ulster-Scots past tense
Ulster-Scots past participle

catch

caught

have caught

ketch

ketched

hae ketched

tell

told

have told

tell

toul (telt)

hae toul, (hae telt)

ENGLISH STRONG VERBS: Past Tense forms with a vowel sound change in English, and a Past Participle form with "-n" ending in English also

English verb

English past tense

English past participle

Ulster-Scots verb

Ulster-Scots past tense

Ulster-Scots past participle

beat
beat
have beaten
bate
bate
hae bate

break
broke
have broken
brek
broke, (loc.) brok
hae broke

eat
ate
have eaten
eat
et
hae et

fall
fell
have fallen
faa
fell
hae fell

give
gave
have given
gie
gien (gied)
hae gien, (hae gied)

grow
grew
have grown
growe
grew (growed)
hae grew (hae growed)

know
knew
have known
know
knowed
hae knowed

lie
lay
have lain
lie
layed
hae layed

ride
rode
have ridden
ride
rid
hae rid

see
saw
have seen
see
seen
hae seen

swear
swore
have sworn
sweer
sweered
hae sweered

take
took
have taken
tak
tuk (taen)
hae tuk (taen)

write
wrote
have written
write
writ
hae writ

ENGLISH STRONG VERBS: Verb forms which do not change in English for Past Tense or Past Participle

English verb | English past tense | English past participle | Ulster-Scots Verb | Ulster-Scots past tense | Ulster-Scots past participle
hit | hit | have hit | hit | hut | hae hut
let | let | have let | let | lut (let) | hae lut (let)
put | put | have put | pit | püt | hae püt