LL-L "Scots" 2002.03.01 (06) [E]

[Lowlands-L]

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 L O W L A N D S - L * 01.MAR.2002 (06) * ISSN 189-5582 * LCSN 96-4226
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 LS=Low Saxon (Low German) S=Scots Sh=Shetlandic Z=Zeelandic (Zeeuws)
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From: "Ian James Parsley (Laptop)" <parsleyij at ukonline.co.uk>
Subject: LL-L "Scots" 2002.02.28 (08) [E]

Colin,

Certainly the severe polarization isn't there in Scotland. What I probably
mean is that, nonetheless, there is the *appearance* of Scottish Nationalism
within it all from, for example, the prominence of SNP politicians among
Scots-language groups. Whose fault this is is not really the point, once the
perception is there it is difficult to shake off.

It is true that in Scotland the 'constitutional question' is nothing like as
definitive as it is taken to be in Northern Ireland (hence not as 'bitter').
You will indeed find people in NI who would prefer the constitutional
question to be settled in their favour (ie a 'United Ireland' or 'perpetual
union with Great Britain') to their own self-improvement, in other words
people who believe that they are disadvantaged because, and only because,
they do not get their own way constitutionally. This is not typical at all
in Scotland. As a result you have the perception in Northern Ireland of 'two
communities' strictly divided:

Protestant = Unionist = British = United Kingdom = Rangers fan = 'Mainland',
'Ulster' and 'Londonderry' = rugby
Catholic = Nationalist = Irish = United Ireland = Celtic fan = 'England',
'North of Ireland' and 'Derry' = Gaelic games

Then 'Ulster Scots' fits neatly, according to this perception, into the
Protestant camp while 'Irish Gaelic' fits neatly with Catholics. Of course
this perception is promoted by the media for simplification, and people like
me (ie the vast majority in NI), who do not fit directly into either group,
are seen as an irritance!

The reason I make the list aware of this is to indicate what Scots
enthusiasts in Northern Ireland are up against. People *will* attempt to
pigeon-hole and polarize everything. To develop the language inclusively is
something which requires positive action, not just talk.

The NI situation is, sadly, somewhat extreme (at least in the Western World)
and really is not helped by the media spreading this entirely unhelpful
'perception' of polarization. However, the perception of minority languages
being combined with political positions and groups will be nothing new to
minority-language Lowlanders right across the world.

Best regards,
Ian James Parsley.

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