The Aberdeen accent, often called “the Doric” or “Aberdeenshire Scots,” resonates through Scotland’s northeastern corner, from the granite city of Aberdeen itself to the surrounding countryside of Aberdeenshire. This distinctive dialect represents one of the most pure surviving forms of Scots language, maintaining many words and pronunciations that have vanished from other Scottish dialects, making it a fascinating subject for writers seeking authentic Scottish voices.
The accent carries a unique musicality, characterized by its strong consonants and distinctive vowel sounds that reflect the region’s historic isolation from other Scottish population centers. Unlike the softer Edinburgh accent or the harder Glasgow tones, the Doric has maintained its distinctive character, shaped by centuries of farming, fishing, and oil industry heritage. The dialect varies from the more urbane tones of Aberdeen city to the broader rural accents of Aberdeenshire’s farming communities.
Notable Aberdeen voices include Annie Lennox, who while having modified her accent for her international career, still carries traces of her Aberdeen roots in interviews. The comedian Billy Connolly, though Glaswegian, has often commented on the Doric’s distinctive qualities in his performances. The accent gained wider recognition through various BBC Scotland programs and through the work of local poets and writers who continue to preserve and celebrate the Doric tradition.
The accent remains particularly strong in rural communities and fishing villages along the coast, where traditional vocabulary reflects centuries of agricultural and maritime heritage. While modern influences and the oil industry have brought international elements to Aberdeen’s linguistic landscape, many locals maintain their distinctive way of speaking with pride, particularly the characteristic use of “fit” for “what” and “far” for “where” that instantly identifies a speaker as being from the northeast.
Vowel Characteristics
Long Vowels
- “Oo” sounds are distinctive
- “House” becomes “hoose”
- “Down” becomes “doon”
- “About” becomes “aboot”
- “Mouth” becomes “mooth”
Short Vowels
- “A” often becomes “i”
- “What” becomes “fit”
- “Where” becomes “far”
- “When” becomes “fan”
Consonant Features
CH and GH Sounds
- “Cht” and “ght” may become “th”
- “Daughter” becomes “dother”
- “Might” becomes “mith”
- “Night” becomes “nicht”
Initial Consonant Clusters
- “Gn” and “kn” fully pronounced
- “Gnaw” pronounced as written
- “Knee” with audible ‘k’
Grammar Patterns
Verb Forms
- “Going” becomes “gaun”
- “Take” becomes “taak”
- “Taken” becomes “teen”
- “Hold” becomes “hud”
Common Pronouns
- “I” becomes “A”
- “My” becomes “ma”
- “Myself” becomes “masel”
- “Everything” becomes “ah-hin”
Regional Vocabulary
Traditional Terms
- “Loon” – boy
- “Quine” – girl
- “Scurry” – seagull (Aberdeen city)
- “Pyool” – seagull (Peterhead)
- “Bonny” – beautiful
- “Fit like?” – how are you?
Common Expressions
- “Fit rare!” – how great!
- “Fair tricket” – delighted
- “Forfauchan” – exhausted
- “Puggled” – tired
- “Crabbit” – bad tempered
Writing Dialogue Examples
"Fit like, loon? Far ye gaun the day?"
"A'm fair forfauchan efter ma shift at the yard."
"Aye, ye look proper puggled, min."Regional Variations
City (Aberdeen)
- More urban vocabulary
- Softer pronunciation
- “Scurry” for seagull[2]
Rural Aberdeenshire
- Broader Doric features
- More traditional vocabulary
- Stronger accent features[2]
Common Phrases
Greetings
- “Fit like?” – How are you?
- “Far ye been?” – Where have you been?
- “Aye min” – Yes mate
Weather-Related
- “It’s gey dreich” – It’s very dreary
- “It’s fair blowing a hoolie” – It’s very windy
- “The haar’s in” – Sea fog has arrived
Remember to use these features judiciously in writing. The goal is to suggest the accent without making the text difficult to read. Consider using a mix of standard spelling with occasional dialect words and grammatical patterns to create an authentic but accessible Aberdeen voice.
Sources
[1] [PDF] Language change in action – Variation in Scottish English – HAL https://hal.science/hal-02499025/document
[2] [PDF] A GUIDE TO THE DIALECT OF THE NORTH EAST OF SCOTLAND https://media.scotslanguage.com/library/document/RGU_Doric_Dictionary.pdf
[3] Doric from around Aberdeen – YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8txQMIxKIk
[4] Doric dialect (Scotland) – Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doric_dialect_(Scotland)
[5] GLASGOW / GLASWEGIAN Accent https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FBDCmibOM4
