A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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About this entry:
First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1460, 1535-1610
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Mother-t(o)ung, -tongue. [e.m.E. mother tongue (1615): cf. Moder-thowng and Mothers toung.] One's native tongue.c1460 Alex. (Taym.) 281 a.
For mekle neid & scantnes that I haife Of mother toung quhilk garris me stik and borrow At wyiser men that hes maid buike affoirrow 1535 Stewart 110.
Translait this libell in our mother toung c1552 Lynd. Mon. 640. 1567 Gude and Godlie Ballatis 197.
Preistis … , sing in to ȝour mother tung Inglis psalmes 1581 Burne in Cath. Tr. 132/33.
Not in thair auin mother toung 1595 Fraser Sir-Name of Baird 42.
I pray you excuse me if I speak not guid Scottis for I haif forgottin all my mother tongue 1596 Dalr. I. 73/28.
Thir of Biskay, the Irishe men and our Scottis Irishe acknawledge the same for thair first and mother toung 1600 Hamilton Facile Tr. 54. 1600-1610 Melvill 256.
The King, in his mother toung, … discoursit a whyll thairon
