A small glossary of phrases in the Cromarty dialect, whose last native speaker has passed away

Published November 20, 2014

The last native speaker of the Cromarty dialect has died, taking with him a way of speaking unique to a small seaside town at the tip of Scotland's Black Isle. The dialect includes archaic "thees" and "thous," a wealth of seafaring vocabulary, and an aspirate "h'' either added or subtracted to everyday words.

Here are half a dozen Cromarty phrases, compiled by Am Baile, the Scottish Highland Council's history and culture website.

Holl tol / Very drunk

Faomin for want / Desperate for tea

At's theer trouble? / What's your trouble?

Theer nae tae big fi a sclaffert yet! / You're not too big for a slap!

Ah wudna ken artil start. / I wouldn't know where to start.

Hiv thoo a roosky sazpence i thi pooch? / Can you lend me some money?

A'm fair sconfished wi hayreen; gie's fur brakwast lashins o am and heggs. / I'm so fed up with herring, give me plenty of ham and eggs for breakfast.

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Online:

The Cromarty Fisherfolk Dialect: http://www.ambaile.org.uk/en/download/files/The%20Cromarty%20Fisherfolk%20Dialect.pdf (PDF)

URL

https://www.foxnews.com/world/a-small-glossary-of-phrases-in-the-cromarty-dialect-whose-last-native-speaker-has-passed-away