Language - What is Ulster-Scots?

Established Facts | The Future |

The Future

Many parties have roles to play in the future of Ulster-Scots, foremost its tens of thousands of native speakers. Following and respecting the principle of self-definition, it is primarily their right to classify their speech as a "language". They will determine whether it flourishes or even survives. Linguists also have a role in this process, especially in assisting the revival of Ulster-Scots. Among many factors they use to apply the label "language" to a variety of speech is that it has a historic speech community, its own rules of grammar and pronunciation, and dialects of its own. Scots and Ulster-Scots each has all of these.

We must surely agree with the Good Friday (Belfast) Agreement that Ulster Scots deserves recognition. Though it has been declining like many other regional languages of Europe, it is very far from disappearing and in a few short years has made major strides. In the larger community it is of value because of the community and the tradition it represents. If it is to play a role in the building of mutual understanding in Ireland, it must be seen within proper context as representing one of three historic language traditions in Ulster.

© 2002 Michael Montgomery. Unauthorised copying, reproduction, reprinting, lending, public performance and broadcasting of this material is not permitted unless the written consent of the author is obtained.