The Dictionary of the Scots Language (DSL) provides electronic access to two seminal Scots language resources, the Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (DOST) and the Scottish National Dictionary (SND), along with DOST Additions and a SND Supplement. The DOST covers Scots language from the 12th to the 17th centuries and the SND features information on modern Scots (18th century to the present). Providing access to these comprehensive Scots language resources in a single database offers scholars of the history of Scots linguistics, culture and literature, as well as those interested in Scottish verbal and written idioms, the opportunity to conduct research of great breadth and depth.
The DSL features a simple yet customizable searching interface. Similar in design and functionality to the OED Online, DSL search results provide etymologies, pronunciation, definitions, historical quotations, and geographical labels. In addition, users can choose how to display their results according to several categories such as Headword Form, Author, or Date. Admittedly, this reviewer conducted successful searches under the Full Entry and Headword Form display options, but found searching with other display options difficult. Far more user‐friendly is the feature that allows users to limit searches to specific data sets. Someone interested in finding examples of fifteenth century usages and occurrences of the word “bairn” (“child”), for example, can limit their search to either the DOST, DOST Additions, or both texts. The DSL also makes available other relevant information from the print versions of these texts, including introductions, prefaces and maps indicating the geographical distribution of modern Scots dialects.
The DSL is a thoroughly absorbing resource. Even the most casually curious student of language will find this database fascinating. A clear, text‐based interface and colour‐coded display elements (geographic abbreviations are red, for example, and textual references are in blue) enhance the DSL's usability and further emphasize the breadth and depth of information available. Most impressive, however, is the fact that the DSL makes available in one database information equivalent to 22 printed volumes and over 80,000 entries. Thus, the DSL is a veritable treasure‐chest of information about the history and continuing evolution of Scots language.
