The Ulster Dialect. 3 



phrases, and even of pronunciation which would enable an edu- 

 cated observer to say that the dialect, though it undoubtedly 

 might show local peculiarities, was of the Ulster type. Sir John 

 Byers then referred to the Ulster dialect synthetically, and 

 pointed out with many illustrations, the characteristics of the 

 language as a whole. He showed, what was well known, that 

 there were few forms of expressions which brought out in bolder 

 relief the peculiarities of any dialect than the sayings and pro- 

 verbs which one heard constantly used, and certainly the Ulster 

 dialect was in that respect exceptionally strong. It was said by 

 some that such phrases exhibited a certain poverty of language 

 among the individuals employing them, and that accordingly 

 they used a particular expression with a general application, which 

 their hearers thoroughly understood ; but he (Sir John) con- 

 tended that these sayings — and he quoted in proof of his view a 

 large number — indicated that they were really examples of in- 

 tensity of thought, employed by a most observant people, whose 

 tendency was to be laconic and not to waste words or circumlo- 

 cutions of speech. In order to bring out in concrete form the 

 peculiarities of the Ulster dialect Sir John gave a very full account 

 of the many diverse words, phrases, idioms, and proverbs asso- 

 ciated with two most important Irish factors, the pig and the 

 potato. Finally, with the view of illustrating a comparison 

 between the language of the North of Ireland and other dialects, 

 he took one of the best-known and most frequently-quoted 

 literary items, and gave it in modern English, as well as in the 

 Scotch, and Ulster dialects. 



At the close of the lecture Mr. Francis Curley, J.P., 

 High Sheriff of Belfast, moved a vote of thanks to Sir John 

 Byers, and, in doing so, expressed his high appreciation of the 

 interesting address which they had heard that evening. 



Mr. Garrett Nagle, R.M., seconded, and joined with the 

 previous speaker in paying a tribute to the lecturer. 



The vote of thanks was passed with acclamation, and, Sir 

 John Byers having suitably replied, the proceedings terminated. 



