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'''Scots''' refers to the [[indiginous]] [[language]] of lowland  [[Scotland]] and parts of the north of [[Ireland]] where it is also known as Ulster Scots.

'''Scots''' refers to the [[indigenous]] [[language]] of lowland  [[Scotland]] and parts of the north of [[Ireland]] where it is also known as Ulster Scots.

Since there are no universally accepted criteria for distinguishing languages from [[dialect]]s, scholars and other interested parties often disagree about the linguistic, historical and social status of Scots. Although a number of paradigms for distinguishing between languages and dialects do exist these often render contradictory results Consequently Scots has, on the one hand, been traditionally regarded as one of the [[ancient]] dialects of [[English]] but with its own ancient and distinct dialects. Scots has often been treated as part of English as spoken in Scotland but differs significantly from the Standard Scottish English taught in schools. On the other hand, it has been regarded as a distinct [[German]]ic language the way [[Swedish]] is distinct from [[Danish]]. Its subordination to [[Anglo]]-English has also been compared to the subordination of [[Frisian]] to [[Dutch]] in the [[Netherlands]].Thus Scots can be interpreted as a collective term for the dialects of English spoken or originating in Scotland, or it can be interpreted as the autochthonous language of Lowland Scotland.<ref>A.J. Aitken in ''The Oxford Companion to the English Language'' p.894</ref>

Since there are no universally accepted criteria for distinguishing languages from [[dialect]]s, scholars and other interested parties often disagree about the linguistic, historical and social status of Scots. Although a number of paradigms for distinguishing between languages and dialects do exist these often render contradictory results Consequently Scots has, on the one hand, been traditionally regarded as one of the [[ancient]] dialects of [[English]] but with its own ancient and distinct dialects. Scots has often been treated as part of English as spoken in Scotland but differs significantly from the Standard Scottish English taught in schools. On the other hand, it has been regarded as a distinct [[German]]ic language the way [[Swedish]] is distinct from [[Danish]]. Its subordination to [[Anglo]]-English has also been compared to the subordination of [[Frisian]] to [[Dutch]] in the [[Netherlands]].Thus Scots can be interpreted as a collective term for the dialects of English spoken or originating in Scotland, or it can be interpreted as the autochthonous language of Lowland Scotland.<ref>A.J. Aitken in ''The Oxford Companion to the English Language'' p.894</ref>

The British Government has accepted the second interpretation:

The British Government has accepted the second interpretation: