Parsley backs Agency over "misguided" Ulster-Scots plans

9.15.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 1st Aug 2008

Alliance Economy Spokesperson Cllr Ian James Parsley

Alliance Economy Spokesperson Ian James Parsley has backed a paper by the Ulster-Scots Agency describing plans to create a separate Ulster-Scots language as "misguided".

The North Down Councillor stated: "Due to exaggerated and nonsensical claims about its linguistic status, the whole notion of Ulster-Scots culture has just become a case for ridicule for most people in Northern Ireland over the past few years. This is highly unfortunate, because in fact it has the potential to help deliver significant economic and social progress in many of our most deprived communities.

"In fact, the Scots tongue continues to be used daily by thousands of people across Northern Ireland and Donegal, and reflects a shared heritage - a shared heritage with Scotland, and a shared heritage among people within the province of Ulster regardless of their religious background. It also has a rich literary history - people employing the Scots tongue are employing the language of Burns, and also of many fine writers and reciters on this side of the 'Sheuch'.

"Therefore, a paper from the Ulster-Scots Agency slamming misguided attempts to create a separate Ulster-Scots language is a welcome and, I hope, significant contribution to stopping the nonsense and stopping the ridicule. Proposals to create an Academy determined to separate us from our shared heritage, and to separate the language as used today from its own rich literary tradition, deserve to be condemned for what they are - an attempt at privatising a language for the gain of a few, and taking it away from those to whom it truly belongs, namely its own speakers.

"The development of the language should now be passed to the body charged with this in the first place, namely the Ulster-Scots Agency. It is appropriate that it rests with a cross-border body, as it is a cross-border heritage and a cross-border issue.

"I trust the Agency will now promote development of Ulster-Scots language and literature using the body of expertise available both across Ireland and in Scotland, based on the principles of shared heritage and shared culture. That way, the term 'Ulster Scots' can be taken out of the political arena and thus become a by-word for social progress, not social ridicule."

ENDS