In this episode, Nuala speaks to Scots poet and language activist Len Pennie to discuss the landscape surrounding learning or re-learning our native, minority languages across the UK.
In the second episode of a three-part series, Len continues the conversation begun by my conversation with Pàdriag. We discussed preconceived notions surrounding Scots, Scots as a language for love and not just anger, and whether we should always be speaking our minority languages even when bilingual? Len proposed paying the Grandmas for their role in cross-generational language learning, and how, for her, the importance of Scots Word of the Day is to provide a nice moment of Scots in people's everyday. Ultimately, our conversation was about addressing some of the feelings of shame, stigmatisation, and inadequacy that come with learning languages we are expected to know.
Len Pennie
@misspunnypennie on instagram
Books mentioned: Poyums (2024) and Poyums Annaw (2025)
Hosted and edited by Nuala Tranter (SYP Scotland Podcast Officer)
Instagram @sypscotland
Website: https://thesyp.org.uk
If you have any questions about this episode or wish to partake in the conversation, drop us a line at podcast.syp@gmail.com
