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Frequently Asked Questions
Please click on a question below to go to that question and answer:
What languages are spoken in Northern Ireland?
English is the most widely spoken language in Northern Ireland
Here are estimates of the number of people who speak languages other than English in Northern Ireland:
Irish 106,844
Ulster Scots 35,000
Chinese 4,200
British Sign Language 3,000
Irish Sign Language 1,500
Cant/Shelta/Gammon 1,700
Arabic 1000-1500
Portuguese 1000+
Tagalog 600
Bengali 450-500
Hindi or Punjabi 1,700
Southern Indian Languages 500
Farsi 350
There has been a significant increase in the numbers of migrant workers entering Northern Ireland particularly from the new EU accession States, but figures on the number of people who speak languages from these areas are not yet available.
From a variety of sources: 2001 Census. 1999 Northern Ireland Life and Times survey, 'In other words' report by Daniel Holder, Kirk/O'Baoil, British Deaf Association.
What is the Irish language?
The Irish language is one of the oldest languages in the world.
It belongs to the Celtic branch of the Indo-European languages, other similar languages are Scottish Gaelic, Manx, Welsh, Breton and Cornish.
The Irish language movement in Northern Ireland is essentially revivalist. The last native [historically] speakers of Irish died in the 1970s but, by then, Irish-speaking families had appeared in different parts of Northern Ireland, including a small cluster in Belfast. Irish is being transmitted inter-generationally in these families.
Irish speakers are spread throughout Northern Ireland with the largest concentration in the greater Belfast area. Around 4,000 children are currently taught through the medium of Irish, and Irish is the third most popular taught language at GCSE in Northern Irish schools.
What is the Ulster-Scots language?
Ulster-Scots is a Germanic language and is the local variety of the Scots language. It is mainly spoken in rural areas of north-east County Down, Antrim, east Londonderry and in east Donegal in the Republic of Ireland.
English, Dutch and German are other Germanic languages so Ulster-Scots shares many features with them.
The Scots language was once used in the Scottish court and was brought to Ireland at the time of the Plantations.
Ulster-Scots is defined in legislation as:
'the variety of the Scots language, which has traditionally been used in parts of Northern Ireland and Donegal'. (The North/South Co-operation (Implementation Bodies) (Northern Ireland) Order 1999)
What is Sign Language?
Sign Language is the preferred means of communication of 5,000 of the 17,000 people in Northern Ireland who are severely or profoundly deaf and it is also used by a significant number of their families and friends. Sign Language is a language in its own right. It has its own grammar and syntax, completely different from the grammatical rules of English. It uses both manual and non-manual components: handshapes and movements, facial expression, and body language.
In Northern Ireland there are two sign languages, British Sign Language (BSL) and Irish Sign Language (ISL). Approximately 3,500 people here use BSL and 1,500 use ISL. BSL and ISL are very different and distinct languages, eg the finger spelling alphabet used with BSL is two-handed, unlike the one-handed finger spelling alphabet used with ISL.
What is the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages?
The Charter is an international convention designed to protect and promote regional and minority languages. The Charter does not establish any individual or collective rights for the speakers of regional or minority languages. The Charter’s overriding purpose is cultural. It is designed to protect and promote regional or minority languages as a threatened aspect of Europe’s cultural heritage.
The UK Government signed the Charter on 2 March 2000 and ratified it on 27 March 2001. The Charter came into force on 2 July 2001.
It is binding upon each of the ratifying States. Thus it has implications for all Northern Ireland Government departments and associated bodies, for Whitehall departments operating in Northern Ireland and for Local Government. In Northern Ireland it applies to Irish and Ulster-Scots.
It does not cover sign languages or the languages of the minority ethnic communities.
The UK Government must provide periodic reports to the Council of Europe Committee of Experts who report periodically on each state’s compliance with its Charter obligations.
What does the Charter mean for Irish?
The signing of the Charter means that Irish language users can use Irish when writing or phoning Government Departments or Agencies. Government Departments or Agencies don’t have to reply in Irish, although they may do so. This means you can write in Irish on application forms, tax returns and so on. You should bear in mind that as the working language of the Northern Ireland Civil Service is English most submissions in Irish will have to be translated, and that as a result it may take a little longer to respond.
If Irish users wish to speak to a non-Irish speaking Government official in Irish notice should be given so that an interpreter can be arranged, if this is possible.
Government will also translate and publish certain documents that are of particular interest to Irish speakers.
What does the Charter mean for Ulster-Scots?
Although the Charter does not oblige Government Departments and Agencies to accept Ulster-Scots letters or phone calls, most will do so. Government Departments or Agencies don’t have to reply in Ulster-Scots, although they can do so. This means you can write in Ulster-Scots on application forms, tax returns and so on. You should bear in mind that as the working language of the Northern Ireland Civil Service is English most submissions in Ulster-Scots will have to be translated, and that as a result it may take a little longer to respond.
Normally (due to problems arranging translators) Ulster-Scots speakers will not be able to arrange for a meeting to be held in Ulster-Scots.
Government will also translate and publish certain documents that are of particular interest to Ulster-Scots speakers.
What is DCAL doing to help the Irish Language?
In conjunction with the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs DCAL funds Foras na Gaeilge (The Irish Language Agency).
Foras na Gaeilge is responsible for the promotion of the Irish language.
DCAL also provides funding to Colmcille: an organisation whose aim is ‘to foster support for the Gaelic language and develop links between Gaelic Scotland and Ireland’.
DCAL operates the quality controlled Irish translation service for the Northern Ireland Civil Service. We continue to work to standardise and improve the Irish translations used by the public sector.
Increased production of Irish language programmes is being promoted through the Irish Language Broadcasting Fund.
Within the Civil Service DCAL has taken the lead role in developing the ways that Irish speakers can use their language of choice when they deal with Government agencies. You should bear in mind, however, that Departments are responsible and answerable for their own actions in this regard.
This activity has included the production of guidance for public servants to help them meet their obligations under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages in relation to the Irish and Ulster-Scots languages.
What is DCAL doing to help Ulster-Scots?
In conjunction with the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs DCAL funds the Ulster-Scots Agency (Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch).
The Ulster-Scots Agency (Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch) is responsible for promotion of greater awareness and use of Ullans and of Ulster-Scots cultural issues, both within Northern Ireland and throughout the island.
DCAL is also developing plans for an Ulster-Scots Academy, which we would hope to have up and running in the near future.
DCAL has also taken a lead role in producing guidance for public servants to help them meet their obligations under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages in relation to the Ulster-Scots language.
What is DCAL doing to help Sign language?
The Belfast/Good Friday Agreement provides the overarching policy objective for our work on linguistic diversity
Although British Sign Language (BSL) and Irish Sign Language (ISL) were not specifically mentioned in the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, the Department has always treated them as recognised languages.
On 29 March 2004, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland announced the formal recognition of BSL and ISL as languages in their own right. Through a Sign Language Partnership Group, Government Departments working together with representatives of the Deaf community in partnership under the leadership of DCAL, are taking action to improve respect, understanding and tolerance of BSL and ISL and to develop ideas for improving access to public services. Work to date has included the development of a touring exhibition to raise awareness of BSL and ISL, the development of guidance to front line staff in Government Departments and Research to identify options and opportunities to enhance the supply of sign language interpreters and tutors.
What is DCAL doing to help Minority Ethnic Community Languages?
As part of the Northern Ireland Race Forum DCAL is taking the lead in a group that will be looking at the language and communication needs that minority ethnic communities have in accessing public services here. The group will be a partnership between interested voluntary and community groups, the public sector and other organisations. It is hoped that by developing standards and identifying best practice the group will be able to draw up proposals that will reduce the inequalities experienced by minority ethnic language speakers here.
How does the North/South Language Body work? What does it do? Where is it located?
The Body was set up in December 1999 in order to give effect to a commitment by the British and Irish governments in the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement. The body consists of 24 board members; 16 with an interest in Irish and 8 with an interest in Ulster-Scots.
In effect these two groups operate as two boards, one with responsibility for the Irish side, and one with responsibility for the Ulster-Scots side of the Language Body’s remit.
Each of the two groups has a Chairperson, who together act as joint Chairs of the Language Body. The Language Body has two implementation Agencies: The Ulster-Scots Agency (Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch) and Foras na Gaeilge (Irish Language Agency).
The NSMC (North/South Ministerial Council) Joint Secretariat facilitates the sponsor Departments (DCAL and DCRGA) and the Language Body in developing arrangements to assist the Agencies to carry out their functions in accordance with their legislative remit. The NSMC Joint Secretariat co-ordinates Ministerial decisions through the NSMC Interim Procedures process.
The North/South Co-operation (Implementation Bodies) (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 outlines the function of the North/South Body:
"One Body, with two separate parts, with the following functions:
Irish Language:
a. promotion of the Irish language;
b. facilitating and encouraging its use in speech and writing in public and private life in the South and, in the context of Part III of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, in Northern Ireland where there is appropriate demand;
c. advising both administrations, public bodies and other groups in the private and voluntary sectors;
d. undertaking supportive projects, and grant-aiding bodies and groups as considered necessary;
e. undertaking research, promotional campaigns, and public and media relations;
f. developing terminology and dictionaries;
g. supporting Irish-medium education and the teaching of Irish.
Ulster Scots:
promotion of greater awareness and use of Ullans and of Ulster-Scots cultural issues, both within Northern Ireland and throughout the island."
Foras na Gaeilge has a head office in Dublin and an office in Belfast. The Ulster-Scots Agency (Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch) is based in Belfast with an office in Donegal.
How is the budget decided for the Irish and Ulster-Scots parts of the North/South language body? Why are they different?
The budgets of the two agencies are set independently according to their own particular needs (as outlined in their business plans) and taking into account available funding. The budgets are agreed jointly by DCAL and DCRGA, working with the respective finance departments, and obviously in close consultation with the two agencies. They are not set in relation to each other. Both agencies run on calendar years.
DCAL funds 75% of the Ulster-Scots Agency (Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch) budget and DCRGA funds 25%. DCRGA funds 75% of Foras na Gaeilge's budget and DCAL funds 25%. These proportions were agreed when the bodies were set up and have been maintained since.
You should also take into account that DCRGA funds in euro, and DCAL funds in sterling.
The budgets for the two agencies are different for a variety of reasons, including:
1. Numbers of customers
2. The level of development and the different situation of the two languages and the capacity of the communities.
3. The Ulster-Scots Agency (Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch) started from scratch, while Foras na Gaeilge (Irish Language Agency) was formed from existing organisations, with existing financial commitments and experienced staff.
What is the budget of the North/South Language Body?
The North/South Language Body operates in calendar years.
As the two agencies in the Body receive their grant in two currencies, currency fluctuations affect the final amounts.
The main currency of the Ulster-Scots Agency (Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch) is sterling, and the main currency of Foras na Gaeilge is euro (previously Irish Pounds), so we have given figures in these currencies:
Ulster-Scots Agency (separately)
year GBP (millions)
2002 1.42
2003 1.54
2004 1.704
2005 1.809
2006 2.132
Foras na Gaeilge (separately)
year Euro (millions)
2002 17.87 EURO
2003 17.87 EURO
2004 18.694 EURO
2005 19.356
2006 19.862
DCAL funds 75% of the Ulster-Scots Agency budget and DCRGA funds 25%. DCRGA funds 75% of Foras na Gaeilge's Budget and DCAL funds 25%. These proportions were agreed when the bodies were set up and have been maintained since.
Who speaks Irish?
The 2001 Census found that 167,490 people had ‘some knowledge of Irish’, and of these that 75,125 ‘speaks, reads, writes and understands Irish’.
The Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey and the Census indicate that those speaking Irish tend to be Roman Catholic, nationalist and young. There are no significant differentials in relation to gender, marital status or dependants, and we have no data in relation to sexual orientation. Irish Travellers are more likely to speak Irish as are single people and people who are not disabled.
Who speaks Ulster-Scots in Northern Ireland?
The Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey (1999) found that 2% of the population spoke Ulster-Scots: this would be around 35,000 people. The Ulster-Scots Language Society estimates that there are 100,000 speakers. In addition there are Ulster-Scots speakers in east Donegal. Of course there are also up to two million Scots speakers in Scotland.
The Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey (based on a small number of Ulster-Scots speakers- 43) found that speakers of Ulster-Scots are more likely to be older and are slightly more likely to be Protestant or male. It also found that slightly less than half of Ulster-Scots speakers considered themselves ‘unionist’, the remainder were fairly evenly split between ‘nationalist’ and ‘neither’. There are no significant differentials in relation to gender, marital status or dependants, and we have no data in relation to sexual orientation.
I am involved in an Irish or Ulster-Scots language programme and am interested in getting a grant, what should I do?
DCAL doesn't directly grant aid organisations, rather we operate through our Agencies.
Foras na Gaeilge provides funding to Irish language groups and organisations.
To find out if you meet the relevant grant criteria you should contact its head office in Dublin:
Foras na Gaeilgez
7 Cearnóg Mhuirfean
Baile Átha Cliath 2
Teileafón: 1850 325325 (Eire) / 0845 3098142(NI)
Ríomhphost: eolas@forasnagaeilge.ie 
Suíom Gréasáin: www.gaeilge.ie
Or their office in Belfast:
Foras na Gaeilge
Westgate House
2-4 Queen Street
Belfast
BT1 6ED
Telephone:028 9089 0970
Email: eolas@forasnagaeilge.ie
Website: www.gaeilge.ie
The Ulster-Scots Agency provides funding to Ulster-Scots groups and organisations. To find out if you meet the relevant grant criteria you should contact its head office in Belfast:
The Ulster-Scots Agency
Franklin House
5th Floor
10-12 Brunswick Street
Belfast
BT2 7GE
Telephone:028 9023 1113 (NI) / 00353 749173876 (Eire)
Email: info@ulsterscotsagency.org.uk
Website: www.ulsterscotsagency.com
There are of course many other grant giving organisations, and in the past many Irish and Ulster-Scots groups have successfully received grants from other sources as their activities also matched their grant criteria.
I am interested in learning a language, what should I do?
If you are interested in learning Irish there is useful information on Foras na Gaeilge’s website
If you are interested in learning Ulster-Scots there is useful information on Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch website
I use Irish or Ulster-Scots in my everyday life: can I phone or write to the Government in the language I prefer?
Yes. You can write to any Government department or agency in Irish or Ulster-Scots. Some bodies may also write back in your language of choice.
You can also phone Government in Irish or Ulster-Scots: voicemails have been set up to allow this:
Irish: +0044 028 90258971
Ulster-Scots: +0044 028 90258924
Please make sure you state who the message is for and give your address so that a response can be sent to you after your message is translated.
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