Ulster-Scots Agency
Encyclopedia
The Ulster-Scots Agency is a cross-border body in Ireland
which seeks "promote the study, conservation and development of Ulster-Scots as a living language; to encourage and develop the full range of its attendant culture; and to promote an understanding of the history of the Ulster-Scots [people]."
, established as a result of the Belfast Agreement
of 1998. Its counterpart is Foras na Gaeilge
, which was set up to promote the Irish language
.
Its remit is "the promotion of greater awareness and the use of Ullans and of Ulster-Scots cultural issues, both within Northern Ireland
and throughout the island." "Ullans" and "Ulster-Scots cultural issues" are defined in inter-governmental agreement and enshrined in legislation as follows:
It is jointly funded by the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure
(tha Männystrie o Fowkgates, Airts an Aisedom in Ulster-Scots) in Northern Ireland
and the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs
in the Republic of Ireland
.
The Agency's has a head office in Belfast
, and a regional office in Raphoe
in east County Donegal
, one of the three counties of the historical province of Ulster
in the Republic of Ireland.
, projects being undertaken or planned include: a tape-recorded survey of native speakers, the compilation of a two-way Ulster Scots/English dictionary, a text base of written Ulster Scots and an expert translation service.
as a supplement to the Belfast News Letter. The publication was also made available free of charge upon request.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
which seeks "promote the study, conservation and development of Ulster-Scots as a living language; to encourage and develop the full range of its attendant culture; and to promote an understanding of the history of the Ulster-Scots [people]."
Overview
The agency is part of The North/South Language BodyThe North/South Language Body
The North/South Language Body is an implementation body, provided for by the Belfast Agreement, that exists to implement policies agreed by Ministers in the North/South Ministerial Council in Ireland with regard to the Irish and Ulster-Scots languages.It is a single body reporting to the...
, established as a result of the Belfast Agreement
Belfast Agreement
The Good Friday Agreement or Belfast Agreement , sometimes called the Stormont Agreement, was a major political development in the Northern Ireland peace process...
of 1998. Its counterpart is Foras na Gaeilge
Foras na Gaeilge
Foras na Gaeilge is the governing body of the Irish language, responsible for the promotion of the language throughout the island of Ireland. Its name can be translated into English as "The Irish Language Body", although the body has no official English-language name...
, which was set up to promote the Irish language
Irish language
Irish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...
.
Its remit is "the promotion of greater awareness and the use of Ullans and of Ulster-Scots cultural issues, both within Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
and throughout the island." "Ullans" and "Ulster-Scots cultural issues" are defined in inter-governmental agreement and enshrined in legislation as follows:
""Ullans" is to be understood as the variety of the Scots language traditionally found in parts of Northern Ireland and Donegal. "Ulster-Scots cultural issues" relate to the cultural traditions of the part of the population of Northern Ireland and the border counties which is of Scottish ancestry and the influence of their cultural traditions on others, both within the island of Ireland and in the rest of the world."
It is jointly funded by the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure
Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure
The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure is a devolved Northern Irish government department in the Northern Ireland Executive...
(tha Männystrie o Fowkgates, Airts an Aisedom in Ulster-Scots) in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
and the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs
Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs
The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs is a senior minister at the Department of Children and Youth Affairs in the Government of Ireland.The current Minister for Children and Youth Affairs is Frances Fitzgerald, TD.-Overview:...
in the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
.
The Agency's has a head office in Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
, and a regional office in Raphoe
Raphoe
Raphoe is a town in County Donegal, part of the province of Ulster in Ireland. It is the main town in the fertile district of East Donegal known as the Laggan, as well as giving its name to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Raphoe and the Church of Ireland Diocese of Derry and Raphoe.-Name:Raphoe,...
in east County Donegal
County Donegal
County Donegal is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Donegal. Donegal County Council is the local authority for the county...
, one of the three counties of the historical province of Ulster
Ulster
Ulster is one of the four provinces of Ireland, located in the north of the island. In ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial...
in the Republic of Ireland.
, projects being undertaken or planned include: a tape-recorded survey of native speakers, the compilation of a two-way Ulster Scots/English dictionary, a text base of written Ulster Scots and an expert translation service.
Newspaper
The agency publishes an English language newsletter, albeit with some token Scots, several times a year entitled The Ulster-ScotThe Ulster-Scot
The Ulster-Scot is a free, monthly publication produced by the Ulster-Scots Agency, published in Northern Ireland. It is a product of incentives to encourage awareness of Ulster heritage and often provided as a supplement with local newspaper The News Letter...
as a supplement to the Belfast News Letter. The publication was also made available free of charge upon request.
See also
- Ulster Scots
- Languages in the United KingdomLanguages in the United KingdomThe de facto official language of the United Kingdom is English, which is spoken as the primary language of 95% of the UK population. Welsh is the second most spoken language in the United Kingdom.-Living:...
- List of language regulators