I originally grew up in Buckie, and I remember my school reports (in the 70s) saying that my spoken English was ‘fluent’. I am living inEngland with an English husband who understands, if he doesn’t speak, Doric. Likewise my two children. We did live outside Glasgow for a while, so when we moved here my daughter had a strong Glasgow accent (think Billy Connolly!), but now she can’t even do a decent ‘Aye, there’s been a murrrder’!
I still spik buckie fin ah’m in a timper like. It dis still come natural tae ma. It’s hard tae write it doon! I remember being at College and we had mock interview situations and one girl from Buckie said ‘hiv wi git tae spik proper, cus ah ken ah’ll fall down throw (pronouced like bough) it’, and we all knew what she meant – than she would slip up at some point like your auntie did!
Nice to see a Buckie speaker online – I didn’t realise that Doric was a language like Gaelic until about 10 years ago, and now I tell whoever will listen! I never realised when I grew up that when I was learning to speak ‘properly’ that in a way the teacher was doing anything bad, but then hindsight is wonderful!
I don’t remember the railway station as it was only a cutting with the old station building when I first went down there (early 70s). My older brother who is 50 remembers the trains.
Thank you for your comment, Fiona.
How interesting that you also grew up in Buckie, and like me, have an English husband who understands the Doric. But after being married for 35 years, my husband also speaks it fluently!
I started writing in the Doric when I first came to California 30 years ago and sent my stories back to Scotland to be published.
It’s always bothered me that, when I was growing up, the Doric was discouraged, but
I’m very happy to learn that the Doric is being introduced to schools. Fa wid hae thocht that the Doric would be a ‘second language!’ Although, it was definitely my first!
But, at Buckie High, I also learned French, German and Latin, all spoken with a Doric accent!
Now my interest in the Doric is leading me to explore the variations of the Doric. I am aware of all the regional and cultural subtle differences. I know that I speak ‘Fisher’ Doric, but there’s also ‘Ferming’ Doric and each town/region has it’s own version of the Doric.
Regarding the station in Buckie, the rail link to Aberdeen and Inverness was axed by Beeching in 1967. It was a huge blow to the area and certainly helped to put Buckie at the ‘back o’ beyond.’
Maybe I’ll blog about the trainie tae Aiberdeen.
Ye’ve certainly ge’en me lots o ideas!
Keep in touch,
Margaret
Fiona Merrick said
Dear Margaret,
I originally grew up in Buckie, and I remember my school reports (in the 70s) saying that my spoken English was ‘fluent’. I am living inEngland with an English husband who understands, if he doesn’t speak, Doric. Likewise my two children. We did live outside Glasgow for a while, so when we moved here my daughter had a strong Glasgow accent (think Billy Connolly!), but now she can’t even do a decent ‘Aye, there’s been a murrrder’!
I still spik buckie fin ah’m in a timper like. It dis still come natural tae ma. It’s hard tae write it doon! I remember being at College and we had mock interview situations and one girl from Buckie said ‘hiv wi git tae spik proper, cus ah ken ah’ll fall down throw (pronouced like bough) it’, and we all knew what she meant – than she would slip up at some point like your auntie did!
Nice to see a Buckie speaker online – I didn’t realise that Doric was a language like Gaelic until about 10 years ago, and now I tell whoever will listen! I never realised when I grew up that when I was learning to speak ‘properly’ that in a way the teacher was doing anything bad, but then hindsight is wonderful!
I don’t remember the railway station as it was only a cutting with the old station building when I first went down there (early 70s). My older brother who is 50 remembers the trains.
Good luck with your story writing.
Fiona Merrick
berkeleyscot said
Thank you for your comment, Fiona.
How interesting that you also grew up in Buckie, and like me, have an English husband who understands the Doric. But after being married for 35 years, my husband also speaks it fluently!
I started writing in the Doric when I first came to California 30 years ago and sent my stories back to Scotland to be published.
It’s always bothered me that, when I was growing up, the Doric was discouraged, but
I’m very happy to learn that the Doric is being introduced to schools. Fa wid hae thocht that the Doric would be a ‘second language!’ Although, it was definitely my first!
But, at Buckie High, I also learned French, German and Latin, all spoken with a Doric accent!
Now my interest in the Doric is leading me to explore the variations of the Doric. I am aware of all the regional and cultural subtle differences. I know that I speak ‘Fisher’ Doric, but there’s also ‘Ferming’ Doric and each town/region has it’s own version of the Doric.
Regarding the station in Buckie, the rail link to Aberdeen and Inverness was axed by Beeching in 1967. It was a huge blow to the area and certainly helped to put Buckie at the ‘back o’ beyond.’
Maybe I’ll blog about the trainie tae Aiberdeen.
Ye’ve certainly ge’en me lots o ideas!
Keep in touch,
Margaret