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'''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>

The term '''Scots''' can refer to the people of Scotland, and specifically to the Scots Tribe that united with the [[picts]] to form Scotland in the year 843.  As an ethnic group, the Scots are related to both the Germanic tribes and the Celtic tribes.

 

'''Scots''' (The Scots leid) refers to the Angilcanizied language of lowland  [[Scotland]] and parts of the north of [[Ireland]] where it is also known as Ulster Scots.  It is distinct from the older Gaelic languages spoken in the Highlands.  

Since there are no universally accepted criteria for defining [[dialect]]s against other dialects, and for determining exactly when a dialect because a new language for the sake of categorization, 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:

:"The UK Government announced on 4 June 1998 its decision to sign the [[Council of Europe]] [[Charter for Regional or Minority Languages]]. This came into effect as of the 1 July 2001. The Scots language will be covered by Part II of the Charter. By applying Part II of the Charter to Scots the Government will be recognising the distinctive nature and cultural value of the language." <ref>http://conventions.coe.int/treaty/en/Treaties/Html/148.htm</ref>

:"The UK Government announced on 4 June 1998 its decision to sign the [[Council of Europe]] [[Charter for Regional or Minority Languages]]. This came into effect as of the 1 July 2001. The Scots language will be covered by Part II of the Charter. By applying Part II of the Charter to Scots the Government will be recognising the distinctive nature and cultural value of the language." <ref>http://conventions.coe.int/treaty/en/Treaties/Html/148.htm</ref>