Ulster-Scots Language & Heritage — Classroom Resource
A P4–P7 resource on Ulster-Scots — its origins, key vocabulary, where it is spoken today, its literary tradition (Robbie Burns connection), and how to celebrate Ulster-Scots heritage in the classroom.
Preview
Page count: 3. Print-ready PDF — letter / A4 friendly. Click image to see all pages.
What is Ulster-Scots?
- 1 Ulster-Scots (Ullans) A Germanic language (not a dialect of English — a separate language related to Lowland Scots) brought to Ulster by Scottish settlers during the Plantation. Spoken mainly in counties Antrim and Down, and parts of Donegal.
- 2 Lallans (Lowland Scots) The related language spoken in the Scottish lowlands. Ulster-Scots and Lallans share a common ancestor — Northumbrian English — and are mutually intelligible with each other.
- 3 Where it is spoken East Antrim (Causeway Coast, Glens), North Down, Ards Peninsula, parts of Co. Down. Also in the Laggan area of Donegal (the 'Planter's Route').
- 4 Robert Burns connection Burns wrote in Lowland Scots (Lallans) — very similar to Ulster-Scots. Many Ulster-Scots families feel Burns speaks directly to their heritage.
- 5 Ulster-Scots Agency The Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch (Ulster Scots Agency), established under the Good Friday Agreement, promotes Ulster-Scots language and heritage across the island of Ireland.
Wurds frae Ulster-Scots
Common Ulster-Scots vocabulary
- ▶ brae — hillside (Scottish) — 'up the brae' = up the hill
- ▶ burn — a stream — 'over the burn' = across the stream
- ▶ thole — to put up with / endure — 'A cannae thole it' = I can't endure it
- ▶ weans — children (from 'wee ones') — 'yer weans' = your children
- ▶ dander — a walk — 'take a wee dander' = go for a short walk
- ▶ bravely — fine, doing well — 'Yer bravely!' = You're doing well!
- ▶ fornenst — opposite / across from — 'fornenst the school' = across from the school
- ▶ yince — once — 'yince upon a time' = once upon a time
- ▶ CLASSROOM ACTIVITY: how many Ulster-Scots words do the children already use? Many NI children use these words without knowing their Scottish origin.
Learning objective
Explain what Ulster-Scots is and where it comes from; recognise common Ulster-Scots vocabulary; understand the connection to Scottish Lowland Scots; and know about the Ulster-Scots cultural heritage.
About this resource
Ulster-Scots books and resources
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For children
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T The Hamely Tongue: A Personal Record of Ulster-Scots in Antrim — James Fenton
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U Ullans Press Ulster-Scots children's books
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