Dialect group releases dictionary app for mobile devices
The app, called Shetland Dictionary, for Android and Apple devices, has been created by Shetland ForWirds committee member Jack Irvine.
It includes definitions, examples of use, and sound recordings of every word from John J Graham’s Shetland Dictionary – the same way as the dictionary appears on the Shetland ForWirds website.
The group anticipates the app to be useful to people who both speak the local dialect and those who wish to learn about it.
Irvine is interested in adding Jakob Jakobsen’s work to the app, as well as creating a process for the public to share their own word lists that ForWirds can use to add more words to Shetland’s Dictionary.
He said: “I wid lik tae acknowledge an thank John J Graham fir writin da comprehensive dictionary dat dis app is based on.
“Personally A’m ey funn his wark tae be very accurate in terms o transferability ower da different pairts o Shetland an towt it wis da best plaece tae start afore branchin oot ony farder.
“I wid lik tae thank Beryl Graham fir kindly gyaan me permission tae use the information in John’s book. An I wid lik tae thank Mary Blance fir recordin da vast number o audio files fir aa da wirds.”
Shetland ForWirds conveners Ann Marie Anderson and Bruce Eunson added in a joint statement: “It is fantastic tae see mair n mair support an interest in da wye language is used in Shetland.
“Haein a Dictionary App o aa da wirds used in da isles is anidder positive step fir baith fok wha spik Shetland, an dem wha ir interested in lairnin it. Jack is done a power o wark an ForWirds wir ower da mune tae gie him a haand.
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“ForWirds is been collectin wirds an sayins fir nearly 20 year noo, an we kaen dir plenty o Shetland fok been doin da sam, makkin dir ain wird lists – as time geens on it wid be lovely tae share aa dis mair widely – via da App – an tae mak sure we do aa we can ta foster an promote wir unique wye o spikin.”
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