{"id":7124,"date":"2013-07-04T16:06:00","date_gmt":"2013-07-04T15:06:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.widmann.org.uk\/?p=7124"},"modified":"2013-07-04T16:06:00","modified_gmt":"2013-07-04T15:06:00","slug":"a-mans-a-man-for-aw-that","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/widmanniana.org\/blog\/a-mans-a-man-for-aw-that\/","title":{"rendered":"A Man's A Man For Aw That"},"content":{"rendered":"

When Rabbie Burns wrote his poetry, the radio hadn’t been invented yet, so it’s unlikely most folk had ever heard English spoken by an Englishman. Presumably everybody used Scots pronunciations for English words, blissfully unaware that they were pronunced differently south of the border.<\/p>\n

Of course, many words are spelt in a way that makes the difference obvious, but I reckon the Bard’s poems would have been read by himself with many more Scots features than most people do today.<\/p>\n

If he had written his poems today, I believe he would have used many more Scots spellings to prevent the readers from substituting English pronunciations.<\/p>\n

To illustrate this, I’ve tried to respell one of his most famous songs, A Man’s A Man For A’ That<\/i>, and I’ve also added the West Central Scots pronuncation in IPA:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Is there for honest Poverty <\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Is thare for honest povertie<\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \u026az \u00f0er f\u0259r \u02c8hon\u0259st \u02c8pov\u0259rt\u026a<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    That hings his head, an’ a’ that; <\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    That hings his heid, and aw that; <\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \u00f0at h\u026a\u014bz h\u026az hid \u0259n \u0251 \u00f0at<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    The coward slave — we pass him by, <\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    The couart sclave — we pass him by, <\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \u00f0\u0259 \u02c8ku\u0259rt sklev wi pas h\u026am bae<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    We dare be poor for a’ that! <\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    We daur be puir for aw that! <\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    wi d\u0251r bi per f\u0259r \u0251 \u00f0at<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    For a’ that, an’ a’ that. <\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    For aw that, and aw that. <\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    f\u0259r \u0251 \u00f0at \u0259n \u0251 \u00f0at<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Our toils obscure an’ a’ that, <\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Our tyles obscure and aw that, <\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    ur t\u0259ilz \u0259b\u02c8skjur \u0259n \u0251 \u00f0at<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    The rank is but the guinea’s stamp, <\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    The rank is but the guinie’s stamp, <\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \u00f0\u0259 ra\u014bk \u026az b\u028ct \u00f0\u0259 \u02c8\u0261in\u026az stamp<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    The Man’s the gowd for a’ that. <\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    The man’s the gowd for aw that. <\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \u00f0\u0259 manz \u00f0\u0259 \u0261\u028cud f\u0259r \u0251 \u00f0at<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/li>\n
  2. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    What though on hamely fare we dine, <\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Whit tho on hamelie fare we dine, <\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \u028d\u026at \u00f0o on \u02c8hemli fer wi d\u0259in<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Wear hoddin grey, an’ a’ that; <\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Weir hoddin gray, and aw that; <\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    wir hod\u0259n \u0261re \u0259n \u0251 \u00f0at<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Gie fools their silks, and knaves their wine; <\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Gie fuils thair silks, and knaves thair wine; <\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    gi f\u026alz \u00f0er s\u026alks an nevz \u00f0er w\u0259in<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    A Man’s a Man for a’ that: <\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    A man’s a man for aw that: <\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \u0259 manz \u0259 man f\u0259r \u0251 \u00f0at<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    For a’ that, and a’ that, <\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    For aw that, and aw that, <\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    f\u0259r \u0251 \u00f0at \u0259n \u0251 \u00f0at<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Their tinsel show, an’ a’ that; <\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Thair tinsel shaw, and aw that; <\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \u00f0er \u02c8t\u026ans\u0259l \u0283\u0251 an \u0251 \u00f0at<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    The honest man, tho’ e’er sae poor, <\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    The honest man, tho e’er sae puir, <\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \u00f0\u0259 \u02c8hon\u0259st man \u00f0o er se per<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Is king o’ men for a’ that. <\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Is king o men for aw that. <\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \u026az k\u026a\u014b o m\u025bn f\u0259r \u0251 \u00f0at<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/li>\n
  3. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Ye see yon birkie, ca’d a lord, <\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Ye see yon birkie, cawed a lord,* <\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    ji si jon \u02c8b\u026ark\u026a k\u0251d \u0259 l\u0254rd <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Wha struts, an’ stares, an’ a’ that; <\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Wha struts, and stares, and aw that; <\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \u028d\u0251 str\u028cts \u0259n sterz \u0259n \u0251 \u00f0at<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Tho’ hundreds worship at his word, <\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Tho hunders wurships at his word,* <\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \u00f0o \u02c8h\u028cn\u0259rz \u02c8w\u028cr\u0283\u026aps at h\u026az w\u028crd<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    He’s but a coof for a’ that: <\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    He’s but a cuif for aw that: <\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    hiz b\u028ct \u0259 k\u026af f\u0259r \u0251 \u00f0at<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    For a’ that, an’ a’ that, <\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    For aw that, and aw that, <\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    f\u0259r \u0251 \u00f0at \u0259n \u0251 \u00f0at<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    His ribband, star, an’ a’ that: <\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    His ribband, star, and aw that: <\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    h\u026az \u02c8r\u026ab\u0259n star \u0259n \u0251 \u00f0at<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    The man o’ independent mind <\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    The man o independent mynd <\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \u00f0\u0259 man o \u026and\u0259\u02c8p\u025bnd\u0259nt m\u0259in<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    He looks an’ laughs at a’ that. <\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    He leuks and lauchs at aw that. <\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    hi l\u028cks \u0259n l\u0251xs at \u0251 \u00f0at<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/li>\n
  4. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    A prince can mak a belted knight, <\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    A prince can mak a beltit knicht, <\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \u0259 pr\u026ans kan mak \u0259 \u02c8b\u025blt\u026at n\u026a\u00e7t<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    A marquis, duke, an’ a’ that; <\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    A marques, deuk, and aw that; <\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \u0259 \u02c8markw\u026as djuk \u0259n \u0251 \u00f0at<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    But an honest man’s abon his might, <\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    But an honest man’s abuin his micht, <\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    b\u028ct \u0259 \u02c8hon\u0259st manz \u0259\u02c8b\u026an h\u026az m\u026axt<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Gude faith, he maunna fa’ that! <\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Guid faith, he maunna faw that! <\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    g\u026ad fe\u00f0 hi \u02c8m\u0251ne f\u0251 \u00f0at<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    For a’ that, an’ a’ that, <\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    For a’ that, an’ a’ that, <\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    f\u0259r \u0251 \u00f0at \u0259n \u0251 \u00f0at<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Their dignities an’ a’ that; <\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Thair dignities and aw that; <\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \u00f0er \u02c8d\u026a\u0261n\u026at\u026az \u0259n \u0251 \u00f0at<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    The pith o’ sense, an’ pride o’ worth, <\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    The pith o sense, and pride o wirth, <\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \u00f0\u0259 p\u026a\u03b8 o s\u025bns \u0259n pr\u0259id o w\u026ar\u03b8 <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Are higher rank than a’ that. <\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Are heicher rank than aw that. <\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    ar \u02c8hi\u00e7\u0259r ra\u014bk \u00f0\u0259n \u0251 \u00f0at<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/li>\n
  5. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Then let us pray that come it may, <\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Than lat us pray that come it mey, <\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \u00f0\u0259n lat \u028cs pre \u00f0at k\u028cm \u026at m\u0259i<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    (As come it will for a’ that,) <\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    (As come it will for a’ that,) <\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \u0259z k\u028cm \u026at w\u026al f\u0259r \u0251 \u00f0at<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    That Sense and Worth, o’er a’ the earth, <\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    That sense and wirth, ower aw the earth,** <\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \u00f0at s\u025bns \u0259n w\u026ar\u03b8 \u028cur \u0251 \u00f0\u0259 (j)\u026ar\u03b8<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Shall bear the gree, an’ a’ that. <\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Sall beir the grie, and aw that. <\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    sal bir \u00f0\u0259 \u0261ri \u0259n \u0251 \u00f0at<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    For a’ that, an’ a’ that, <\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    For a’ that, an’ a’ that, <\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    f\u0259r \u0251 \u00f0at \u0259n \u0251 \u00f0at<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    It’s coming yet for a’ that, <\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    It’s comin yet for aw that, <\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \u026ats \u02c8k\u028cm\u0259n j\u025bt f\u0259r \u0251 \u00f0at<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    That Man to Man, the world o’er, <\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    That man tae man, the warld ower, <\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \u00f0at man te man \u00f0\u0259 \u02c8war\u0259ld \u028cur<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Shall brothers be for a’ that.<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Sall brithers be for aw that.<\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    sal \u02c8br\u026a\u00f0\u0259rz bi f\u0259r \u0251 \u00f0at<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    I’m not entirely sure how deuk<\/i> should be pronounced, so I have given the English pronunciation above.<\/p>\n

    * Update (5 July)<\/i>: I had originally changed lord<\/i> and word<\/i> to laird<\/i> \/lerd\/ and wurd<\/i> \/w\u028crd\/, but several people in the Scots Language Centre’s Facebook group<\/a> pointed out that Burns had probably intended these words to rhyme, even though they don’t rhyme either in Scots or English.<\/p>\n

    ** Update (22 February)<\/i>: I had originally changed earth<\/i> to yird<\/i> \/j\u026ard\/, but further feedback from the Facebook group mentioned above suggested an intended rhyme with wirth<\/i>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    When Rabbie Burns wrote his poetry, the radio hadn’t been invented yet, so it’s unlikely most folk had ever heard English spoken by an Englishman. Presumably everybody used Scots pronunciations for English words, blissfully unaware that they were pronunced differently south of the border. Of course, many words are spelt in a way that makes the difference obvious, but I reckon the Bard’s poems would have been read by himself with many more Scots features than most people do today. If he had written his poems today, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[159,117,138],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7124","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-en","category-linguistics","category-sco"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/widmanniana.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7124","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/widmanniana.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/widmanniana.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/widmanniana.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/widmanniana.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7124"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/widmanniana.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7124\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/widmanniana.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7124"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/widmanniana.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7124"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/widmanniana.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7124"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}