North-east residents are being taught to be more fluent in their “mither tongue” with the launch of a series of Doric workshops.
Spurred on by a renaissance of interest in the dialect, Aberdeen University will run its first classes next month.
It is estimated that 1.5 million people speak Doric or another form of Scots in their everyday lives.
During the classes, people will learn how to speak and write in the dialect and how to use it in their day-to-day scenarios.
Alistair Heather from the university’s Elphinstone Institute, which is spearheading the project, said: “As the largest minority language in Europe, Scots is experiencing a real boost with so many new works and new translations into the tongue.
“Whilst north-east Scots can be heard throughout the region, and can often been seen in signage or adverts, people seldom get the chance to learn it as a written language.”
He added: “It will also invite newer arrivals to Scotland and the north-east to take a chance to learn and understand the speech and literary traditions of their new hame.
“Language can be the key to unlock the culture of the north-east and to help new arrivals settle in to the area.”
VIDEO: New classes to help north-east Scots become fluent in Doric