ULSTER-SCOTS
RESEARCH
CENTRE

What is the difference between 'Ullans' and 'Ulster-Scots'?

'Ullans' is a contraction of 'Ulster Lallans', from the Scots lallans 'lowlands', the name of the Scots Language Society's annual magazine, which is occasionally used for Scots as a whole or for its southern Scottish dialects. It has come to be used as a short term for 'Ulster-Scots'. However, its use should really be restricted to when speaking of Ulster dialects of Scots in direct contrast to Scottish dialects.

'Ulster-Scots' has come to be used rather too often with reference to the broadest forms of Scots found in Ulster. Firstly, 'Ulster-Scots speech' encompasses rather more than merely the areas where the broadest dialects (i.e. the ones that could be considered a language distinct from English) are found. Secondly, 'Ulster-Scots' refers to cultural and historical activities, as well as merely linguistic ones. Thirdly, there is a risk that it will be forgotten that the name of the language overall is 'Scots' - referring constantly to 'Ulster-Scots' is like referring constantly to 'British-English' rather than merely 'English'. Already there have been at least two cases of Scottish people in Ulster being asked if they speak 'Ulster-Scots' at home!! So, in general, it pays to use both these terms carefully and correctly.

Has Ulster-Scots any influence on language elsewhere?
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