Burns is a Tough Read

[Chas]

I have never thought that Burns was supposed to be read - he is supposed to be listened to.

[Jock Scot]

I have never thought that Burns was supposed to be read - he is supposed to be listened to.

That too can be a particularly tiresome exercise in endurance, especially when an appallingly dreadful pseudo Scots accent is involved!

[James Hood]

Practice, read aloud, listen. Keep in mind, we are separated from the noble bard by more than a century as well as culture and language.

Patience, young Jedi.

And cut any audible reader uber-gobs of sclack. In all likelihood they are sincere, perchance a bit uncertain...and doing their honest best.

[Hopper250]

I read books and poetry that old quite often the verbage and grammar are not an issue, even over 200 years since he wrote. As Jock said he's not over all enjoyable. I'm trying with lots of breaks to get through it but it will probably take longer than it takes me to read other books of equal length.

[TheOfficialBren]

Plus one about Burns' work. He is a cultural aspect of Scotland that has never really appealed to me. I'm not knocking him or his work. I like a few poems and songs but I don't go gaga for Burns.

Scots is an interesting language (dialect?) and hearing it and reading it are a joy...but, as Jock said, a phoney Scottish accent can impede the enjoyment of Burns and others of his ilk.