Helen, Ruth and myself at Farset International Hostel
The purpose of this Ullans Project is to publish a selection of Old Testament translations, initially in two volumes, the Pentateuch and Books of Wisdom (Psalms, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs), the first time that such a large selection from the OT will have been made available in a consistent and authentic form determined by (i.e., not merely drawing on) an objective, academically rigorous study of traditional phonology and literary practice.
While there may be other Bible translation projects, this one can deliver most now and has the greatest potential to provide MAGUS with achievements within the lifetime of the current funding round. Limited-edition print runs of Genesis, Exodus and Song of Songs were well received in Ulster. The project is likely to have a longer-term impact in encouraging a literary renaissance and by permanently extending the linguistic domains in which Ulster Scots is used.
If the text of the remainder of the Old Testament can be edited to the same standard by the time of any further funding call, those books too will form the subject of an application.
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The strategic aims and objectives for the development of the Ulster Scots sector are as detailed below:
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To contribute to building broad knowledge and understanding of the Ulster Scots tradition in Ireland, Scotland and further afield.
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To identify, consider and progress options for the creation of a physical Ulster-Scots Academy
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To promote coherence within the Ulster Scots sector
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To maximise the impact of the resources available to it
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To secure the broadest possible support for the sector and its work across the community in Northern Ireland
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To promote equality and tackle poverty and social exclusion and their causes in taking forward the Academy approach.
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We will contribute to building broader knowledge and understanding of the Ullans tradition by making available to the public the largest single linguistically authentic text hitherto – important in garnering support for, and raising the status of the variety among the general public as well as sceptical or alienated native speakers.
Historically vernacular Bible translations rather than any dictionary or spelling project were the key driver of reduced orthographic diversity (standardisation) in many languages. Our project will demonstrate in a practical, comprehensible and easily followed fashion the relationship between Ulster-Scots phonology to the variety’s traditional orthography as practised by the ” Rhyming Weavers” which I published under my Pretani Press imprint for the Ullans Academy in 1992, thus initiating the Ulster-Scots Revival in Northern Ireland.
As the orthography used is purely a re-statement of traditional practice, it will not rival or anticipate any contemporary orthographic reforms deviating therefrom, should those later succeed in gaining the support of the language community. Indeed it would be likely to facilitate such reforms.
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We will promote positive community self-confidence through cultural activities. Sociological change notwithstanding, the Bible remains of profound importance to working-class communities in Northern Ireland, and the project’s potential in that regard is difficult to overstate. |
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