Language in Scotland

The Outlander Series includes many words and phrases in Scottish Gaelic and Scots.

Gaelic (Gàidhlig)

Sassenach [Sass-un-nak]: outlander, or foreigner; more specifically an English person; usage generally derogatory.

• The name given by the Gaelic inhabitants of Great Britain and Ireland to their ‘Saxon’ or English neighbours. (Sometimes attributed to Welsh speakers: the corresponding Welsh form is Seisnig.)
• Also used by Highlanders to refer to Lowland Scots.

A leannan [a le-anan]: sweet-heart (vocative), with the implication of "baby" -- addressed to a daughter or other young person.

Ciamar a tha thu [Kia-mar a haa u]: greeting; "How are you?"

Mo chridhe [mo cree or mo kri-e]: my heart (used as a term of affection)

A nighean [ah nee-an]: daughter, lass (vocative)

Mo nighean donn [mo nee-an down]: my brown one; my brown-haired lass.

Mo charaid [mo kharaid]: my friend.

Tha mi gle mhath [Ha Mi glay vah]: "I am well."

Scots

Bairn/Wean: baby/child

Besom [BIZ-zum]: a woman, generally ill-tempered.

Braw: literally, "brave," but also implies "fine, splendid, or excellent."

Clot-heid: clot-head or cloth-head; an idiot or imbecile.

Dinna fash: Don't worry; don't be troubled or bothered.

Gomeral: fool, idiot.

Greet: to weep or grieve

Ken: to know (kent, kenna)

Speak Outlander Series

STARZ has released a series of videos teaching the pronunciation of various Gaelic words and phrases, as well as other unfamiliar words.

Speak Outlander Lesson 1 Sassenach

Speak Outlander Lesson 2 Craigh na Dun

Speak Outlander Lesson 3 Mo Nighean Donn

Speak Outlander Lesson 4 Laoghaire and Geillis

Speak Outlander Lesson 5 Colum and Dougal

Speak Outlander Lesson 6 Rhenish

Speak Outlander Lesson 7 Je Suis Prest

Speak Outlander Lesson 8 Castle Leoch

Speak Outlander Lesson 9 Tùlach Àrd

Speak Outlander Lesson 10 Dinna Fash

Speak Outlander Lesson 11 Slàinte Mhath!

Speak Outlander Lesson 12 Tha Gaol Agam Ort

Resources

• Gàidhlig audio clips – correct pronunciation of several Gaelic words used in Outlander
• Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) – written pronunciation guide
• Scottish Gaelic Conversational Phrases – written list of basic phrases