Scots dialect: dinna and didna?

Stan Brown

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Jul 17, 2012, 8:43:51 PM7/17/12

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This morning I found myself wondering: are each of these (or either
of these) legitimate Scots dialect, or are they inventions like
"sez"?

And if they're both legitimate, is there a difference between them?
Thanks!

--
"The difference between the /almost right/ word and the /right/ word
is ... the difference between the lightning-bug and the lightning."
--Mark Twain
Stan Brown, Tompkins County, NY, USA http://OakRoadSystems.com

Jack Campin

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Jul 17, 2012, 9:18:27 PM7/17/12

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> This morning I found myself wondering: are each of these (or either
> of these) legitimate Scots dialect, or are they inventions like
> "sez"?
> And if they're both legitimate, is there a difference between them?

Both legit, no difference.

It's more common for the final vowel to be an "ee" or "ay" sound,
spelt "didnae", "dinnae" or (less commonly) "didny".

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Jack Campin, 11 Third Street, Newtongrange, Midlothian EH22 4PU, Scotland
mobile 07800 739 557 <http://www.campin.me.uk> Twitter: JackCampin

John Dean

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Jul 18, 2012, 12:44:24 AM7/18/12

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"Jack Campin" <bo...@purr.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
news:bogus-F6FD92....@four.schnuerpel.eu...

>> This morning I found myself wondering: are each of these (or either
>> of these) legitimate Scots dialect, or are they inventions like
>> "sez"?
>> And if they're both legitimate, is there a difference between them?
>
> Both legit, no difference.
>

I'd say 'dinna' is present tense and 'didna' is past.
While we're here, do you know what Glasgae folk perceive as the difference
between Bing Crosby and Walt Disney? Bing Crosby sings and Walt Disney.
And what about the woman in the cake shop who wants to know "Is that a cream
cake or a meringue?" and the assistant says "No, you're right, it's a cream
cake."

--
John "On fire - here all week" Dean

Peter Duncanson [BrE]

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Jul 18, 2012, 6:07:50 AM7/18/12

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On Wed, 18 Jul 2012 02:18:27 +0100, Jack Campin <bo...@purr.demon.co.uk>
wrote:

>> This morning I found myself wondering: are each of these (or either
>> of these) legitimate Scots dialect, or are they inventions like
>> "sez"?
>> And if they're both legitimate, is there a difference between them?
>
>Both legit, no difference.
>
>It's more common for the final vowel to be an "ee" or "ay" sound,
>spelt "didnae", "dinnae" or (less commonly) "didny".
>

Some decades ago computers became to be used to prepare copy for
newspapers in the UK. One of the pioneering newspaper companies was in
Scotland. I can't recall which paper it was. The people working there
gave it the nickname "Disney Land". That was because the most often
heard phrase in the offices was "It disnae work".

--
Peter Duncanson, UK
(in alt.usage.english)

LFS

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Jul 18, 2012, 7:11:44 AM7/18/12

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Have you seen The Angels' Share? It's an excellent film, especially if
you like malt whisky, but I could have done with subtitles in some places.

--
Laura
(emulate St. George for email)

semir...@my-deja.com

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Jul 18, 2012, 11:06:19 AM7/18/12

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On 18 July, 05:44, "John Dean" <john-d...@FRAGmsn.com> wrote:

> I'd say 'dinna' is present tense and 'didna' is past.

The meanings are confirmed, but the precise forms vary from
place to place.

John Dean

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Jul 18, 2012, 12:34:19 PM7/18/12

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"LFS" <la...@DRAGONspira.fsbusiness.co.uk> wrote in message
news:a6njvf...@mid.individual.net...

Not yet.

--
John Dean

Mike L

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Jul 18, 2012, 4:11:45 PM7/18/12

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During the early struggling days of the European version of
Disneyland, there was the riddle "What's the difference between <xxx>
and Eurodisney?"..."<xxx> maks money, but Euro disnae."

--
Mike.