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Robert Burns was advised by a friend not to write in Scottish verse because London readers wouldn't understand it

17 January 2022 (Daily Mail)

His poetry popularised the Scots language, introducing the world to auld lang syne, sleekit beasties and cutty sarks. 

But Robert Burns was advised not to write in Scots by a friend who thought it would limit his audience, according to new research.

A project by academics at the University of Glasgow's Centre for Robert Burns Studies looked at letters to and from Scotland's national bard.

The team looked at some 800 letters written by Burns and around 300 to 400 letters from his friends and admirers - and have put together both sides of the letter correspondence where available.

They found that, in 1787, Dr John Moore advised the poet not to write in Scots, warning that London readers would not connect with it, though Burns ignored his suggestion.

Instead, evidence suggests he may even have written more verses in Scots after getting the advice. 

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