NEW Scottish Government legislation could see Hollywood blockbusters dubbed into Scots and shown on special screens in cinema multiplexes across the country.
Leaked documents, seen by The National, suggests that movie producers would receive a grant from the government to pay for their film to be dubbed into Scots.
Each cinema with more than three screens in Scotland would then be required to set aside at least one screen to exclusively show films dubbed in Scots.
In the policy document, government advisors use the example of Batman Vs Superman and suggest the voices of actors Henry Cavill and Ben Affleck could be replaced by those of Ford Kiernan and Greg Hemphill from TV’s Still Game.
One source said: “Like, it’s no fair ken how if someone speaks Scots and they go to the pictures and the words comin oot the actors mouth isnae in Scots they might be like, aw naw: this is no on. At the moment if yer watching Batman Vs Superman, you’re haein to translate it intae Scots in your heed but then you’re like, ‘what’s Scots for green kryptonite?’ and then a skyscraper falls down and you’re away.”
The government policy, though only in early proposal stages, also suggests dubbing American blockbusters into Scots would negate the need for a permanent film studio.
“See when ma da was wee he usetae go and see aw those kung fu moovies, and they’d aye be dubbed. It’s just like ‘at, ken?” our source said.
As well as modern blockbusters, the so-called “Scots screen” would also be used to show classic films dubbed into Scots. The document suggests the Godfather, with Al Pacino’s part being voiced by Stanley Baxter and Breakfast At Tiffany’s with Audrey Hepburn’s part going to Janette Krankie.
Scots language expert Dr Ailsa F Pooly said: “I think this sounds like a terribly lovely idea. Gosh. Yes. More power to their elbow. So in films like Taxi Driver ‘You talkin’ to me’ becomes “Haw. Whit?”.
Film critic Flora Plaidsoy was less enthusiastic: “Come on now. Trainspotting 2’s coming out soon. Surely that’s enough Scots for the year?”
The National’s Scots columnist Matthew Fitt was delighted by the news. “It’s aboot time!” he declared. “If we can hae ‘Boab the Builder’ in Gaelic, why should we no hae fullums in Scots like ‘Fufty Shades o Lyart’, ‘Ocean’s Eleeven’ and ‘Bonnie Wummin’? Twa thooms up for the Scottish Government, though it’d mak better sense if they actually investit in the future o oor Scots-speakin weans in oor schuils. But ocht weel, Scots pictures at the Pictures? Braw! ”
Famous film quotes translated into Scots by Dr Ailsa F Pooly:
“Toto ah dinnae hink wur in Aucterhmucty noo” – Wizard of Oz
“Ahm pure ragin and canna be fashed wi this” – Network
“Ah ate his liver oot a muchbie box wi sum pakora, kebab and ingin rings” – Silence of The Lambs
“Luke, ahm yer da” – The Empire Strikes Back
“Hen, ah couldnae gie a toss” – Gone with the Wind
“Aye, this dinghy might be a bit too wee” – Jaws
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