Mother Tongue Other Tongue (MTOT) is a multilingual poetry competition which celebrates linguistic and cultural diversity through creative writing. It offers a unique opportunity to showcase the many languages spoken and learned by young people in school and at home.
For more than a decade, MTOT has given children and young people the opportunity to use their language skills creatively. So many people and organisations have supported us, including the former Scots Makars, Jackie Kaye and Kathleen Jamie, and we have enjoyed the patronage of writers, poets and language professionals from the UK and beyond. This year we are delighted that the current Makar, Peter Mackay, is supporting MTOT and you can see his video launch message on our National Poetry Day and resources webpage.
Over the years, we have celebrated a huge range of languages. We have been astounded by the creative brilliance of Scotland’s young poets. We have laughed with them, been moved by their stories, sung along with them, and marvelled at their courage in putting their creations out into the world. Not even a global pandemic could stop them.
This year, we want to present MTOT Unplugged! We are all about the written word for 2025-26. We want entrants to produce an original poem in written form (see submission details below). They can decorate, illustrate and embellish their written poem as much as they like. They can even send us a recording, although this isn’t a requirement for this year. Let’s take poetry back to its roots!
Help us celebrate the next generation of Scotland’s multilingual poets. Find YOUR voice, and join us for MTOT 2025-26!
Information about the competition
The competition is split into two categories:
Mother Tongue
Children and young people who do not speak English as a first language can submit an original poem, song or rap in their mother tongue language. In Scotland, pupils will be able to submit entries in Scots and Gaelic in this category.
Other Tongue
Children and young people learning another language in school or independently can submit an original poem, song or rap in that other tongue.
In both categories, entries MUST BE THE ORIGINAL WORK OF THE PUPIL. At submission we would ask teachers to confirm this and that no AI tools have been used.
All entrants will complete a pro-forma in English to accompany the piece. An important part of this is that the entrants must outline their inspiration as this accounts for part of the judging criteria.
Find out more about the competition timeline and requirements below and make sure you subscribe to the SCILT e-bulletin for updates about the competition.
*Please note, this edition of MTOT is only open to schools in Scotland*