ULSTER SCOTS
The Guid Guide to finding that elusive `Ulster Scots'
Should it be saved and if so why? It should definitely be saved for these reasons: it does express and articulate a rural community cohesion and ahs a role to play in opposing the decimation of rural communities. It is used by at least one very good amateur drama group. It enshrines the radical political thinking of James Orr and his contemporaries of 1798 and as such is a historical and education resource. It is a rich repository of Gaelic words which it has observed. Many of these words are extinct in Gaelic speaking areas today. It is the natural medium of some beautiful songs. It is necessary for the understanding of many place names. It is a cross-community dialect and not the property of any one faction.
How is to be saved? Several things are vital. One is access to the facilities of the education system as is now happening in Scotland, even at secondary levels. Schools should be instructed to allow pupils to express their identity in native dialect instead of ridiculing it. Parents should be reassured it is an extra dimension to good English and will not impede their children's progress.
Another essential thing is to create a literature. For that we need the involvement of real scholars and linguists to advise on grammar and spelling, not forgetting, of course native speakers.
Thirdly, the dialect should be afforded access to the broadcast media. It should be seen as complementary to Gaelic and standard English.
Fourthly, it should be used in churches, if they are serious about proclaiming the gospel in the language of the people. The Bible is not available in Scottish Inglish. Cardinal Daly himself is, or should be a native speaker, coming as he does from Loughguile. I am sure other churches can provide a champion of equal ability.
Above all, the dialect should not be allowed to be hijacked by people who
cannot speak it and in fact embarrassed by it. Nor should it be identified
with a particular political viewpoint or with the sort of outrageous nonsense
which devised an acronym such ULLANS and tries to convince the media it
is the name of the language. |
