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GUEST POST: Scots Scriever Taylor Dyson on women’s representation in Scots literature

Scots Scriever Taylor Dyson writes for us about the importance of embracing the Scots language as a woman, and increasing women’s representation in Scots language and literature. Taylor is an actor and writer from Dundee, whose work focusses on working class women.

Liz Lochhead, Jackie Kay and Kathleen Jamie are the first three makars o Scotland; aa three write in Scots. I think that is pretty amazin! Each o them hae such a unique vyce and are inspirational in aa that they’ve achieved. Last year I wis lucky tae be there when their wurds were inscribed oan the wa at the Scottish parliament. Afore the three o them haud their quotes pit up, there wis ainly one single quote fae a wummin writer. One- oot ae aa the quotes oan the wa. That wummin wis Mary Brooksbank, a Dundee jute worker, activist, songwriter and poet, wha also wrote in Scots. 

So there are loads ae wummin wha write and huv written in Scots but I dinna think they tend tae get the same level o attention. I’ve been researchin intae this durin ma time as Scots Scriever. Marion Angus, Nan Shepherd, Violet Jacob, Ellen Johnston, Jessie Kesson dinna hae work that’s as easily accessible compared tae their male coonterpairts. Mary Brooksbank’s work is currently goin tae be republished but fur years her wurk has been inaccessible. People dinna ken their names the same wiy we ken Burns or MacDiarmid.  

I think wummin no gettin the attention they deserve as writers happens across aa languages. But I think when it comes tae Scots, which is largely spoken by workin class and rural communities, it adds another layer. Class comes intae play, and the sheer lack o underrepresentation o workin class wummin is evident tae me aa the time. I think this is pairtly because we’ve been made tae feel embarrassed by speakin Scots, it’s been suppressed and it is difficult tae reconnect wi that and feel confident dain so. Tae feel like whit your writin or speakin is correct. I’ve haud loads ae people, and particularly wummin, approach me sayin they love Scots but are too scared tae write in it in case o judgement fae the Scots community. Tae that I say- jist dae it. There’s no standardised wiy o writin in Scots and tae me, that brings an element o freedom.  

I’m no sayin it is easy but if it is true tae you and you want tae write and speak Scots, you shuidn’t be held back because o people online tellin ye it’s no the right wiy. Embracin ma Dundonian haus been a journey. Aa throughoot skale and studyin actin I wis telt tae cheynge ma accent and language. It felt like I wis cosplayin middle classness fur the langest time, like I shuid be ashamed o bein fae a scheme in Dundee. Ma first show Ane City explored this imposter syndrome, class disparity and struggle as a workin class wummin tryin tae mak it as a poet. Caun I even be a poet? A wee lassie fae Douglas wha never grew up roon poetry or theatre or art. Never seein onyone that wis like me oan TV or stage. The show resonated wi pure loads ae people across generations, and no jist Scots speakers. It opened ma eyes tae the fact that there’s probably loads o people oot there who feel disconnected. Wummin sayin they were telt it wisna ladylike tae speak Scots. 

For me, I couldna help but write in Scots when I stertit, and since then I’ve decided tae speak Scots in professional settings, and no jist roon pals or family. Professionally, it haus been so liberatin tae embrace my Dundee accent and leid and tae write how I want. It feels mair accepted noo, tae talk this wiy and I nae langer care if fowk mak assumptions o me because o it. Again, it’s taken a wee bitty time to get there. We’re gonna be judged nae maitter whit, so I micht as weel be authentic! Embrace yer leid, cause it brings depth and authenticity tae wha ye are and we need mair Scots vyces.  

About Taylor Dyson:

Taylor Dyson is currently the Scots Scriever for the National Library of Scotland. She is a multi-award winning playwright, performer and poet. She is from Dundee and runs Elfie Picket Theatre.