The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #52905   Message #812413
Posted By: GUEST,allen woodpecker
27-Oct-02 - 09:18 AM
Thread Name: BS: Ulster Scots?What is it?
Subject: RE: BS: Ulster Scots?What is it?
I hate to be a pedant (well actually I don't, I just hate to be appear to be one) but I agree with Ard Mhacha. People from Belfast speak a certain way, but there are different dialectical expressions in use in relatively small areas. In north Antrim, for instance, we use expressions that would be unknown in south antrim or even east Derry, so the native language in norn iron is just the same as in any other place - hugely varied locally. Unfortunately, due to the monstrous centralisation of ALL life into Belfast, outsiders think we all sound like city types. Be assured we do not (nae harm to Belfast, the catter not the place). Our native tongue may not be pretty, but it is real, and life would be the worse if received pronunciation became the norm. Imagine if we all spoke like UTV presenters - jesus preserve us! I should add that I've been in Scotland for many years, but have made a conscientious decision not to lose my accent as it helps to define what I am.
Just as a brief illustration, people from Coleraine take the piss out of people from Ballymoney because they "talk funny" - the two towns are about 12 miles apart. Just goes to show....

Now people from Derry, they DO talk funny (heh, heh)
a.w.