Editing Northern Ireland (section)

===Languages===
{{Main|Languages of Northern Ireland}}Irish is an official language of Northern Ireland as of 6 December 2022 when the Irish Language Act ([[Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Act 2022]]) became law. The Irish Language Act officially repealed legislation from 1737 that banned the use of Irish in courts.<ref name=":0"/> English is a ''de facto'' official language.{{Citation needed|date=December 2022}} English is also spoken as a first language by 95.4% of the Northern Ireland population.<ref name="2022 Language" /> [[File:English dialects in Ulster contrast.png|thumb|right|Approximate boundaries of the current and historical English/[[Scots language|Scots]] dialects in [[Ulster]]. South to north, the colour bands represent [[Hiberno-English]], South-[[Ulster English]], Mid-Ulster English, and the three traditional [[Ulster Scots dialect|Ulster Scots]] areas. The Irish-speaking [[Gaeltacht]] is not shown.]]

Under the [[Belfast Agreement|Good Friday Agreement]], Irish and [[Ulster Scots dialect|Ulster Scots]] (an Ulster dialect of the [[Scots language]], sometimes known as ''Ullans''), are recognised as "part of the cultural wealth of Northern Ireland".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nio.gov.uk/agreement.pdf |title=The Agreement |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111003065655/http://www.nio.gov.uk/agreement.pdf |archive-date=3 October 2011}}&nbsp;{{small|(204&nbsp;KB)}}</ref> The Irish Language Act of 2022 also legislated commissioners for both Irish and Ulster Scots.<ref name=":0" />

Two all-island bodies for the promotion of these were created under the Agreement: ''[[Foras na Gaeilge]]'', which promotes the Irish language, and the [[Ulster Scots Agency]], which promotes the Ulster-Scots dialect and culture. These operate separately under the aegis of [[the North/South Language Body]], which reports to the [[North/South Ministerial Council]].

The [[Government of the United Kingdom|UK Government]] in 2001 ratified the [[European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages]]. Irish (in Northern Ireland) was specified under Part III of the Charter, with a range of specific undertakings about education, translation of statutes, interaction with public authorities, the use of placenames, media access, support for cultural activities, and other matters. A lower level of recognition was accorded to Ulster-Scots, under Part II of the Charter.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/education/minlang/report/EvaluationReports/UKECRML3_en.pdf |title=Council of Europe Charter monitoring report, 2010 |access-date=7 August 2013 |archive-date=10 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010150121/https://www.coe.int/t/dg4/education/minlang/report/EvaluationReports/UKECRML3_en.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref>

====English====
{{Main|Ulster English}}

According to the 2021 census, in 94.74% of households, all people aged 16 and above spoke English as their main language.<ref name="Census 2021 Phase 2 Bulletin">{{cite web |title=Census 2021 Main statistics for Northern Ireland Phase 2 December 2022 |url=https://www.nisra.gov.uk/system/files/statistics/census-2021-main-statistics-for-northern-ireland-phase-2-report.pdf |website=NISRA |access-date=5 January 2023 |archive-date=2 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102173056/https://www.nisra.gov.uk/system/files/statistics/census-2021-main-statistics-for-northern-ireland-phase-2-report.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> The dialect of English spoken in Northern Ireland shows influence from the lowland [[Scots language]].<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aPPexF5hyIkC&q=DIALECT+OF+NORTHERN+IRELAND+COMES+FROM+SCOTLAND&pg=PA90 |title=Dialects across borders |author=Markku Filppula |publisher=John Benjamins Publishing Co, Amsterdam |year=2005 |page=90 |access-date=2 January 2011 |isbn=978-9027247872 |archive-date=13 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413214714/https://books.google.com/books?id=aPPexF5hyIkC&q=DIALECT+OF+NORTHERN+IRELAND+COMES+FROM+SCOTLAND&pg=PA90 |url-status=live}}</ref> There are supposedly some minute differences in pronunciation between Protestants and Catholics, for instance; the name of the letter ''h'', which Protestants tend to pronounce as "aitch", as in [[British English]], and Catholics tend to pronounce as "haitch", as in [[Hiberno-English]].<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Donnan |first1=Hastings |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=V0UHEAAAQBAJ&dq=Northern+Ireland++differences+in+pronunciation+between+Protestants+and+Catholics&pg=PT111 |title=The Anthropology of Ireland |last2=Wilson |first2=Thomas M. |date= 2020 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-000-18999-5 |language=en |access-date=29 November 2022 |archive-date=4 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404132331/https://books.google.com/books?id=V0UHEAAAQBAJ&dq=Northern+Ireland++differences+in+pronunciation+between+Protestants+and+Catholics&pg=PT111 |url-status=live }}</ref> However, geography is a much more important determinant of dialect than religious background.

====Irish====

[[File:Map of those with some ability in Irish in the 2011 census in Northern Ireland.png|thumb|Percentage of people aged 3+ claiming to have some ability in Irish in the [[2011 United Kingdom census|2011 census]]]]

{{Main|Irish language in Northern Ireland|Ulster Irish}}

The Irish language ({{langx|ga|an Ghaeilge}}), or ''Gaelic'', is the second most spoken language in Northern Ireland and is a native language of Ireland.<ref>{{cite book |last=Ryan |first=James G. |title=Irish Records: Sources for Family and Local History |publisher=Flyleaf Press |year=1997 |page=[https://archive.org/details/irishrecordssour0000ryan_s8k7/page/40 40] |isbn=978-0-916489-76-2 |url=https://archive.org/details/irishrecordssour0000ryan_s8k7/page/40}}</ref> It was spoken predominantly throughout what is now Northern Ireland before the [[Ulster Plantations]] in the 17th century and most place names in Northern Ireland are [[anglicised]] versions of a Gaelic name. Today, the language is often associated with Irish nationalism (and thus with Catholics). However, in the 19th century, the language was seen as a common heritage, with Ulster Protestants playing a leading role in the [[Gaelic revival]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 January 2013 |title=Presbyterians and the Irish Language Roger Blaney (Ulster Historical Foundation/The Ultach Trust, £6.50) ISBN 0-901905-75-5 |url=https://www.historyireland.com/20th-century-contemporary-history/presbyterians-and-the-irish-language-roger-blaney-ulster-historical-foundationthe-ultach-trust-6-50-isbn-0-901905-75-5/ |access-date=12 June 2020 |website=History Ireland |archive-date=12 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612171721/https://www.historyireland.com/20th-century-contemporary-history/presbyterians-and-the-irish-language-roger-blaney-ulster-historical-foundationthe-ultach-trust-6-50-isbn-0-901905-75-5/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

In the 2021 census, 12.4% (compared with 10.7% in 2011) of the population of Northern Ireland claimed "some knowledge of Irish" and 3.9% (compared with 3.7% in 2011) reported being able to "speak, read, write and understand" Irish.<ref name="Census 2011"/><ref name="2022 Language">{{cite web |title=Main statistics for Northern Ireland Statistical bulletin – Language |url=https://www.nisra.gov.uk/system/files/statistics/census-2021-main-statistics-for-northern-ireland-phase-1-statistical-bulletin-language.pdf |website=NISRA |access-date=22 September 2022 |archive-date=22 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922093432/https://www.nisra.gov.uk/system/files/statistics/census-2021-main-statistics-for-northern-ireland-phase-1-statistical-bulletin-language.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> In another survey, from 1999, 1% of respondents said they spoke it as their main language at home.<ref name = "Survey-NorthernIreland">Northern Ireland LIFE & TIMES Survey: [http://www.ark.ac.uk/nilt/1999/Community_Relations/MAINLANG.html What is the main language spoken in your own home?] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610101441/http://www.ark.ac.uk/nilt/1999/Community_Relations/MAINLANG.html |date=10 June 2011 }}</ref>

The dialect spoken in Northern Ireland, Ulster Irish, has two main types, East Ulster Irish and Donegal Irish (or West Ulster Irish),<ref name="pipex1">{{cite web |url=http://www.ultach.dsl.pipex.com/english/faqs.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090416045904/http://www.ultach.dsl.pipex.com/english/faqs.htm |archive-date=16 April 2009 |title=Frequently-Asked Questions about the Irish Language |publisher=Ultach |access-date=7 February 2012}}</ref> is the one closest to [[Scottish Gaelic]] (which developed into a separate language from Irish Gaelic in the 17th century). Some words and phrases are shared with Scots Gaelic, and the dialects of east Ulster – those of [[Rathlin Island]] and the [[Glens of Antrim]] – were very similar to the dialect of [[Argyll]], the part of Scotland nearest to Ireland. The dialects of Armagh and Down were also very similar to the dialects of Galloway.

The use of the Irish language in Northern Ireland today is politically sensitive. The erection by some [[Local government in Northern Ireland|district councils]] of bilingual street names in both English and Irish,<ref>The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 (No. 759 (N.I. 5))[http://www.statutelaw.gov.uk/content.aspx?LegType=All+Primary&PageNumber=25&NavFrom=2&parentActiveTextDocId=1011237&activetextdocid=1011254] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200409203049/http://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisi/1995/759/part/crossheading/street-names-and-numbering-of-buildings|date=9 April 2020}}</ref> invariably in predominantly nationalist districts, is resisted by unionists who claim that it creates a "chill factor" and thus harms community relationships. Efforts by members of the [[Northern Ireland Assembly]] to legislate for some official uses of the language have failed to achieve the required cross-community support. In May 2022, the UK Government proposed a bill in the House of Lords to make Irish an official language (and support Ulster Scots) in Northern Ireland and to create an Irish Language Commissioner.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 May 2022 |title=UK to make Irish an official language in Northern Ireland |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/uk-moves-to-make-irish-language-official-in-northern-ireland/ |access-date=28 May 2022 |website=POLITICO |language=en-US |archive-date=27 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220527151739/https://www.politico.eu/article/uk-moves-to-make-irish-language-official-in-northern-ireland/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Parliament3168"/> The bill has since been passed, and received royal assent in December 2022.<ref name=":0"/> There has recently been an increase in interest in the language among unionists in East Belfast.<ref>{{cite news |last=Keenan |first=Dan |title=Loyalists line up to learn cúpla focail at language classes in heart of east Belfast |work=Irish Times |date=9 January 2014 |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/loyalists-line-up-to-learn-c%C3%BApla-focail-at-language-classes-in-heart-of-east-belfast-1.1650239 |access-date=27 January 2016 |archive-date=2 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202020125/http://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/loyalists-line-up-to-learn-c%C3%BApla-focail-at-language-classes-in-heart-of-east-belfast-1.1650239 |url-status=live}}</ref>

====Ulster Scots====
[[File:Map showing the percentage of people aged 3+ claiming to have some ability in Ulster Scots in the 2011 census.png|thumb|Percentage of people aged 3+ claiming to have some ability in Ulster Scots in the 2011 census]]
{{Main|Ulster Scots dialect}}

Ulster Scots comprises varieties of the [[Scots language]] spoken in Northern Ireland. For a native English speaker, "[Ulster Scots] is comparatively accessible, and even at its most intense can be understood fairly easily with the help of a glossary."<ref name = "Poilin-BBC">Aodan Mac Poilin, 1999, [https://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/learning/history/stateapart/agreement/culture/support/cul2_c011.shtml "Language, Identity and Politics in Northern Ireland"] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200821033808/http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/learning/history/stateapart/agreement/culture/support/cul2_c011.shtml |date=21 August 2020 }} in Ulster Folk Life Vol. 45, 1999</ref>

Along with the Irish language, the Good Friday Agreement recognised the dialect as part of Northern Ireland's unique culture and the [[St Andrews Agreement]] recognised the need to "enhance and develop the Ulster Scots language, heritage and culture".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nio.gov.uk/st_andrews_agreement.pdf |title=St Andrews Agreement |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061104144328/http://www.nio.gov.uk/st_andrews_agreement.pdf |archive-date=4 November 2006}}&nbsp;{{small|(131&nbsp;KB)}}</ref>

At the time of the 2021 census, approximately 1.1% (compared to 0.9% in 2011) of the population claimed to be able to speak, read, write and understand Ulster-Scots, while 10.4% (compared to 8.1% in 2011) professed to have "some ability".<ref name="Census 2011"/><ref name="2022 Language"/><ref name = "Survey-NorthernIreland"/>

====Sign languages====

{{Main|Northern Ireland Sign Language|Irish Sign Language|British Sign Language}}

The most common [[sign language]] in Northern Ireland is [[Northern Ireland Sign Language]] (NISL). However, because in the past Catholic families tended to send their deaf children to schools in Dublin{{citation needed|date=January 2016}} where [[Irish Sign Language]] (ISL) is commonly used, ISL is still common among many older deaf people from Catholic families.

Irish Sign Language (ISL) has some influence from the French family of sign language, which includes [[American Sign Language]] (ASL). NISL takes a large component from the British family of sign language (which also includes [[Auslan]]) with many borrowings from ASL. It is described as being related to Irish Sign Language at the [[syntactic]] level while much of the [[lexicon]] is based on [[British Sign Language]] (BSL).<ref name="Janzen">{{cite book |last=Janzen |first=Terry |title=Topics in Signed Language Interpreting: Theory And Practice |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ylfJtF3vQUwC |access-date=22 June 2008 |year=2005 |publisher=[[John Benjamins Publishing Company]] |location=Amsterdam |isbn=978-90-272-1669-4 |oclc=60742155 |pages=256 & 265 |archive-date=13 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413214608/https://books.google.com/books?id=ylfJtF3vQUwC |url-status=live}}</ref>

{{As of|2004|03}} the [[British Government|UK Government]] recognises only British Sign Language and Irish Sign Language as the official sign languages used in Northern Ireland.<ref name="dcal">{{cite web |url=http://www.dcalni.gov.uk/index/languages/sign_language.htm |title=Sign Language |access-date=22 June 2008 |publisher=[[Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110109104308/http://www.dcalni.gov.uk/index/languages/sign_language.htm |archive-date=9 January 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nio.gov.uk/paul-murphy-announces-recognition-for-sign-language/media-detail.htm?newsID=8540 |title=Paul Murphy announces recognition for sign language |access-date=22 June 2008 |date=30 March 2004 |publisher=[[Northern Ireland Office]] |quote=I am pleased to announce formal recognition for both British and Irish Sign Languages in Northern Ireland. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520115301/http://www.nio.gov.uk/paul-murphy-announces-recognition-for-sign-language/media-detail.htm?newsID=8540 |archive-date=20 May 2011}}</ref>