Ulster-Scots Language Society Livres

"This Ulster-Scots translation is an old story told in a very fresh way." - Professor Michael Montgomery. THA FOWER GOSPELS of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John present the Good News about Jesus Christ with their own unique perspective. Their common theme is the birth, life, work, death and resurrection of Jesus. Together, they give us a comprehensive picture of who Christ was and is. "Gospel" may be an old word, but the Good News it contains is as relevant and welcome today as it ever was. ULSTER-SCOTS is the native tongue of many rural communities in Northern Ireland, but one that has been primarily spoken rather than written. From the time of the earliest vernacular versions, the translation of the Bible, or parts of it, into any language has been a major landmark in the history and evolution of that language. Martin Luther's translation had a profound impact on the development of Standard German. In a similar way, this translation of the Gospels will help to establish a new standard or benchmark for both spoken and written Ulster-Scots. This book is the first translation of the Four Gospels into Ulster-Scots. It is the fruit of the labour of several groups of Ulster-Scots volunteers from counties Antrim and Down, working since 2006 under the direction of professional Bible translators, Philip and Heather Saunders.

The 15th issue of Ullans: The Magazine for Ulster-Scots has as its special feature an extended article by John Erskine on Ulster-Scots bird names, which includes an introduction, sources, notes and works consulted, as well as an extensive list of names in English, Latin and Ulster-Scots. Also included on the bird theme is "The Ornithologist" by Thomas Stott, a poem in Ulster-Scots that first appeared in the Belfast Commercial Chronicle in 1805. A further feature of this issue is the complete short novel The Wet Wooing: A Narrative of Ninety-Eight by Sir Samuel Ferguson. Among the other articles are "Who Fears to Write of Ninety-Eight?," "Nesca Robb of Lisnabreeny," "Carnmoney Witches," and "John Getty of Randalstown and Ballymena." The magazine, produced by the Ulster-Scots Language Society (now in its 26th year), contains the usual complement of contemporary Ulster-Scots writing in prose and verse from both past contributors and some very welcome new ones.