Notes and Enqueeries

Newfoundland (Canada):

I am happy to become a member of the Ulster Scots Language Society … I was born and grew up in Tyrone … Young people do not know the meaning of words which were very familiar when I was a child … I am sure ‘No lukin ocht mair ava nor a wee collogue’ would be a foreign language … I am happy to say it made perfect sense to me, although I might have said ‘No lukin nae mair ava nor a wee collogue’ … I wish the Society much success.

Glasgow:

My husband and I have been very pleased to have had a subscription given to us to the Ulster Scots Language Society. The setting up of such a group is very enterprising … we wish the Society well and will follow its progress with interest… If there is any way I could assist please do not hesitate to get in touch.

(Eds: This offer is much appreciated; the lady has written about 10 books, making good sense of the Auld Scots. Ulster-Scotch writers tak tent.)

Edinburgh:

I have read with great interest the first issue of ULLANS sent to me by a friend … I would like to have a copy for myself… Best wishes to the project for every success in the future …

Scotland:

Jack McKinney’s collogue wi Jimmie MacGregor on the wireless in April went down well in Scotland and aroused a great deal of interest.

(Eds: We also had a welcome letter from the Secretary of the Scots Language Resource Centre (and a much appreciated and generous personal donation) saying ‘We howp tae hae closs links wi ye’ — A sentiment we warmly reciprocate….)

Co Tyrone:

I am always pleased to receive the Society’s literature and will do all I can to promote its aims … if you care to send me some application forms I will place them in my local library …

(Eds: That’s the sort of letter we welcome!)

Western Australia:

‘ULLANS’ was of excellent quality … I have read it over and over … It is a terrific feeling to be in touch with my culture — it was never mentioned at my school in Ulster. Reading ULLANS brought back memories of my grandparents and the way they used to speak.

(Eds: This Member makes an interesting suggestion about recording and explaining folk customs — we hae tuk tent o it.)

Belfast:

I’d be interested in an Ulster-Scots dictionary (no mean feat!). (Eds: We hae tuk tent o this forbye frae mair nor yin o oor Members — we howp tae hae mair tae say anent this …)

Limavady:

It is important to start lessons in Ulster-Scots or it will be lost to all but a few. If funding ever permitted, cassette recordings would be very helpful with a booklet to go with it.

Killinchy:

Most impressed by the enthusiasm and determination … to make a complete success of the Ulster Scots Language Society. … well-planned efforts as illustrated by the questionnaire and ‘Kintra Sennicht’ certainly deserve that success.

Larne:

I miss the turn of phrase in the ‘broad’ talk of the neighbours of my youth. One of the aims of the (local) Folklore Society … has been to keep alive traditional customs and usages including ‘the language of the people’.

Carrick:

Is there scope for researching the Ulster-Scots history and culture? (all aspects).

Lurgan:

Grew up in the Ards Peninsula … everyday language of communication between those of my grandparents’ generation sounds similar to that used in Kintra Sennicht.

Ballygally:

This was the language of my youth and anything I can do to preserve and restore it will give me a great deal of pleasure.

Strabane:

Does a dictionary exist of the Ulster-Scots tongue? … Classes would be of great interest but would like to see them near the area I live … I’d like tae see a competition hel tae promote in verse the Ulster-Scots language … a small entry fee could be charged with prizes going to the best entries …

Bangor:

Primary education at… where Ullans was spoken by all but the Principal.

Glenarm:

Guid Freens,… we should houl aal oor meetins in the medium o’ the Scotch language,… We need tae promote knowledge o’ the origin o’ the Scotch, an hoo an whim it diverged frae the Inglish. A wheen o’ lectors frae academics would help. Serious prose literature daesnae exist, sae we’ll hae tae create it. We kannae be aye recitin Burns or even Orr.

Ballycarry:

Guid Wumman,… A sae its a quare thing yere daein fur A wus i feard that whun wie auld wans wur nae mair, then thae auld way o takin wud be deed tae. A leernt thae brod tang as a wean but it was hemmerd out a mae bae the time A wus finished mae education.