2006 Shetland dialect at pre-school level
Summary and recommendations of 2006 survey
Shetland Dialect in Nursery Schools and Playgroups, 2006
Summary and recommendations
Survey carried out by Frances Tait (Creative Links Graduate Placement)
Schools Service, Education and Social Care Department, Shetland Islands Council
Working in partnership with Shetland ForWirds
Thanks to all those who assisted with the survey. Special thanks to Laureen Johnson, Christian Tait, Noelle Henderson and all teachers and other pre-school staff who took part.
Summary
This report provides an evaluation on the current status of Shetland dialect within nursery schools and playgroups, and investigates requirements for support and resources with regards to dialect and pre-school education. Twenty-five nursery schools and playgroups from around Shetland took part in a survey. The information was gathered mainly through interviews and discussions with pre-school staff.
The research suggests 42% of children in nursery schools and playgroups around Shetland speak the dialect. However, the figures gathered during the survey were given as estimates and not a precise sum.
The children are said to speak a ‘mixture of Shetland and English’ or use the ’odd word’ in dialect. Children are not discouraged from using the dialect and pre-school staff want to ensure the children feel comfortable communicating using whatever accent or dialect they are familiar with.
Findings reveal 72% of pre-school staff speak Shetland dialect but the number of staff using dialect in conversation with the children varies depending on the individual, the situation and the child or group of children they are communicating with.
Dialect is not regularly used, if at all, in story time or activities due to the lack of relevant, up to date material available for use with pre-school children. Many teachers were unaware of the existing Early Years Dialect Pack (1996, Education Services) or no longer use the resource. While a small number have additional material, seven out of twenty-five nursery schools and playgroups do not have any dialect material.
Teachers and playgroups managers regard the promotion of dialect in pre-school as important. However, relevant child friendly resources should be made more readily available if they are to promote and encourage dialect more widely and frequently.
Recommendations:
1. Update Early Years pack with:
- Pictures, poems, rhymes, songs, stories and tasks
- Relevant, child-friendly material
- Audio recordings on CD
- List of other available resources
2. Distribute a copy of at least one storybook in dialect to every nursery and playgroup.
3. Create story sacks, which can be provided through a lending service.
4. Produce a list of dialect speakers willing to visit pre-school settings, detailing particular subjects and activities to be carried out with children.
5. Offer workshops and training for staff.
Also to be considered:
6. Development of a Shetland dialect policy.
7. Raising awareness with parents.
8. Sharing and distributing material on the Shetland ForWirds website.
9. Ensuring continuity into primary school
