Interest in language and culture

by Joanne Crockard

Recent market research undertaken for the Ulster-Scots Agency indicates an encouraging increase in public interest for the language and culture.

Some findings from an Omnibus telephone survey undertaken in Northern Ireland make interesting conclusions :-

• More than two-thirds of people think that it is important that the Ulster-Scots way of speaking is preserved.
•  Nearly seven per cent of people said that they spoke Ulster-Scots, which equates to just over 100,000 people.
• Thirty per cent of people polled would like to learn Ulster-Scots as a language.

With regard to Ulster-Scots cultural identity -

•  Seventy per cent of people believe that Ulster-Scots is a vital part of Ulster's heritage; with more than half of the Roman Catholic people polled agreeing with this.
• And 70 pc of Protestants and 40 pc of Roman Catholics polled said that Ulster-Scots was part of their cultural identity.

George Patton, Agency Chief Executive, said:  "This research is highly encouraging for the promotion of the Ulster-Scots language and culture.   It shows that the Agency's work over the last six years has borne fruit.

"We are delighted that there is cross-community interest and support as it validates our long-held view that Ulster-Scots can contribute greatly to the Province's cultural life as a whole."