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Scots Translator - Translate the Scots Language with AI Dialect Support

Need a Scots translator for literature, research, or connecting with Scotland's indigenous language? Linnk AI translates between English and Scots while preserving the distinct character of this historic language. Choose from multiple Scots dialects - Lowland Scots and Doric (Aberdeen dialect) - with support for both historical and modern variations. This Scots translator handles the unique vocabulary, grammar, and cultural expressions that make Scots a language in its own right - not merely an English dialect. Recognized by the Scottish Government and UNESCO, Scots deserves accurate translation tools.

What is a Scots Translator?

A Scots translator is an AI-powered tool that translates between Scots (the indigenous Germanic language of Scotland's Lowlands) and English. Scots is NOT Scottish Gaelic - it's a separate language with over 1.5 million speakers according to the 2011 Scottish census, and holds UNESCO 'vulnerable' status. Unlike basic dictionaries or novelty converters, Linnk AI's Scots translator understands the distinct grammar, vocabulary, and dialectal variations that make Scots a recognized language rather than an English dialect. The Scots translator supports Lowland Scots (the standard form), Doric (the Aberdeen and Northeast dialect with its distinctive vocabulary), and both historical (Older Scots from literature) and Modern Scots variations. Whether translating Robert Burns poetry, contemporary Scots writing, or everyday phrases, this Scots translator preserves cultural authenticity and linguistic integrity.

1.5M+Scots language speakers
2major dialect variants
UNESCOrecognized language
Freetranslations to try

Last updated: February 2026

How the Scots Translator Works

Three steps to translate between English and the Scots language.

1

Enter Your Text

Type or paste your English or Scots text into the translator. The Scots translator accepts phrases, sentences, literature excerpts, and longer passages for translation between Scots and English.

2

Select Dialect and Target Language

Choose your specific Scots dialect - Lowland Scots (standard) or Doric (Aberdeen/Northeast). Then select your target language. The Scots translator adjusts for dialect-specific vocabulary, spelling conventions, and expressions.

3

Get Authentic Scots Translation

Receive your translation with cultural context preserved. The Scots translator handles unique vocabulary, grammatical structures, and idiomatic expressions that distinguish Scots as a language separate from English.

Why Choose This Scots Translator

What makes this Scots translator superior to novelty converters and basic phrase lists.

Multiple Scots Dialect Support

Translates Lowland Scots (the standard literary form) and Doric (the distinctive Aberdeen and Northeast Scotland dialect). Each dialect has unique vocabulary and expressions this Scots translator recognizes and preserves.

Scots as a Language, Not a Dialect

This Scots translator treats Scots as the distinct language it is - recognized by the Scottish Government and UNESCO. It doesn't reduce Scots to phonetic English spelling but understands genuine Scots vocabulary and grammar.

Historical and Modern Scots

Handles both Older Scots (from Burns, Henryson, and historical literature) and contemporary Modern Scots. The Scots translator understands how the language has evolved while maintaining its distinct identity.

Bidirectional English-Scots Translation

Translate both ways - English to Scots and Scots to English. The Scots translator handles the structural and vocabulary differences between these related but distinct Germanic languages.

Cultural Context Preservation

Scots has vocabulary for concepts that lack English equivalents. This Scots translator preserves cultural meaning, idioms, and expressions rather than forcing awkward literal translations.

Instant Scots Translation

Get Scots translations immediately without searching through dictionaries or phrase books. Type your text, click translate, and receive accurate results in seconds with this Scots translator.

Scots Translator Capabilities

Everything you need to know about translating the Scots language.

Dialect Support

Lowland Scots
Standard literary form
Doric
Aberdeen/Northeast
Historical Scots
Older literature
Modern Scots
Contemporary usage

Translation Quality

Language Recognition
Scots as distinct language
Cultural Context
Preserved
Vocabulary
Genuine Scots words
Grammar
Scots structures maintained

Language Directions

English to Scots
Supported
Scots to English
Supported
Lowland Scots
Full support
Doric Scots
Full support

Pricing

Free Trial
Translations available
No Credit Card
For free trial
Pay As You Go
Available
Subscription
Plans available

Scots Translator vs Other Options

See how this Scots translator compares to alternatives.

FeatureLinnk AI Scots TranslatorLingoJamScotranslateMusely Scots
Treats Scots as LanguageAI understands Scots as distinct languagePhonetic conversion onlyCommunity dictionaryBasic translation
Dialect SupportLowland Scots and Doric variantsSingle variantLimited variantsLowland focus
Historical ScotsOlder and Modern Scots supportedModern onlyCommunity contributions varySome historical
Cultural ContextAI preserves meaning and idiomsNo contextVaries by contributorBasic context
Bidirectional TranslationEnglish to Scots and Scots to EnglishOne direction focusBoth directionsBoth directions
CostFree trial availableFree but limitedFree community-drivenFree tier available

Comparison as of January 2026.

Who Uses the Scots Translator?

Writers, researchers, and heritage enthusiasts rely on this Scots translator.

Students studying Scottish literature from Robert Burns to contemporary Scots writers use this Scots translator to understand texts in their original language.

Scholars researching Scots language history, dialectology, and the English-Scots language debate use this translator for linguistic analysis.

People exploring their Scottish roots use this Scots translator to connect with ancestral language and understand family documents or place names.

Authors writing dialogue, poets, and content creators use the Scots translator to ensure authentic Scots language representation in their work.

Those working to preserve and promote Scots as a living language use this translator to create educational materials and resources.

Visitors to Scotland wanting to understand local expressions and engage more deeply with Scottish culture beyond English use this Scots translator.

Scots Translator FAQ

What is a Scots translator?
A Scots translator is a tool that translates between Scots (the indigenous Germanic language of Scotland's Lowlands) and English. Linnk AI's Scots translator uses artificial intelligence to understand Scots as a distinct language - not merely an English dialect - with its own vocabulary, grammar, and dialectal variations including Lowland Scots and Doric.
Is Scots a real language or just an English dialect?
Scots is a language. While linguists debate whether Scots is a language or dialect (the distinction is often political rather than linguistic), Scots is recognized by the Scottish Government, the UK Government, and UNESCO as an indigenous language of Scotland. It has over 1.5 million speakers and its own vocabulary, grammar, and literary tradition. This Scots translator treats Scots as the distinct language it is.
What is the difference between Scots and Scottish Gaelic?
Scots and Scottish Gaelic are completely different languages. Scots is a Germanic language related to English, spoken mainly in the Lowlands and Northeast. Scottish Gaelic is a Celtic language related to Irish, spoken mainly in the Highlands and Islands. This Scots translator translates Scots (Germanic), not Scottish Gaelic.
What is Doric in the Scots translator?
Doric is the Scots dialect spoken in Aberdeen and Northeast Scotland. It has distinctive vocabulary and expressions that differ from standard Lowland Scots. This Scots translator supports Doric as a separate dialect option, recognizing its unique linguistic features.
Can I translate English to Scots?
Yes. This Scots translator works bidirectionally. You can translate from English to Scots (Lowland or Doric) or from Scots to English. Simply select your source and target languages and enter your text.
Can this Scots translator handle Robert Burns poetry?
Yes. The Scots translator supports historical Scots including the language used by Robert Burns, Robert Henryson, and other classic Scottish authors. It understands both Older Scots vocabulary and Modern Scots usage.
Is there a free trial for the Scots translator?
Yes. Free Scots translations are available to try the tool. Test it with your actual texts - no credit card required for the free trial.
Does this Scots translator help with language preservation?
Yes. With UNESCO listing Scots as 'vulnerable,' language preservation is important. This Scots translator supports these efforts by making the language accessible to learners, researchers, and communities working to keep Scots vibrant for future generations.

Translate Scots Now

Enter your text and get accurate English-Scots translations that respect the Scots language. Free translations available to try.