Mid Ulster English
Mid Ulster English (Ulster Anglo-Irish) is the dialect of most people in Ulster, including those in the two main cities. It represents a cross-over area between Ulster Scots and Hiberno-English. It is an English-based dialect spoken across mid Ulster between the Lagan and Clogher valleys in areas historically planted by settlers, the majority of which came from the West Midlands. The dialect has enjoyed higher social prestige than the Ulster Scots dialects that have influenced it to varying degrees. The dialect is currently encroaching on the Ulster Scots area, especially in the Belfast commuter belt, and may eventually consume it.
Phonology
- Main article: phonemic differentiation.
Phonetics are in IPA.
- like, light, meat and beard with /e/ [lek], [let], [met], [berd]
- Aspiration in words begining with dr and tr for example drum and tractor
- /b/ for /p/ in words like pepper
- /d/ for /t/ in words like butter
- /g/ for /k/ in words like packet