How do you write using a Scottish accent?

Answer 1

You only have an accent when you speak so you can't really write with one. You can, however, use words and spellings to show various types of slang which may lead to the reader imagining that character with an accent. This is called a dialect.

It should be noted that using to many slang words or spellings is highly discouraged in writing as it become irritating and can slow down the pace of the novel. Writing in accents or dialects should be done sparingly and with good reason.

Specifically, writing in the Scottish dialect depends largely on the type of character and where in Scotland they are from. Say, for example, you were writing a Glaswegian character. Their words will largely be slang such as "aye" instead of "yes", "cannae" instead of "cannot" etc.

Alternatively your character may be from the Fife area where they again use different slang words such as "ken" instead of "know" and often say "like" a lot in the middle of sentences.

The best way to write in a dialect is to research the slang words spoken in the area your character is from. Don't let your characters speak the way you think people in that area speak because your characters won't seem realistic and stereotypes are never the way to go!

Answer 2

To write using a Scottish accent, you can include specific dialectical variations like "dinnae" for "don't" or "wee" for "small." Incorporating slang and unique vocabulary common in Scottish speech can also help capture the accent's essence. Reading works by Scottish authors or listening to Scottish speakers can provide inspiration for accurately representing the accent in writing.