Preamble
Professor Robert J Gregg (1912-1998) was the first academic to appreciate the importance of the study of Ulster-Scots as a subject in its own right. He did not approach it prescriptively, but instead chose to proceed by way of meticulous observation and with the sympathy of one who came from the background he was documenting.
By the time of the modern resurgence of interest in Ulster-Scots, Professor Gregg was no longer a young man and his health was failing. However, with typical generosity of spirit, he did his utmost to impart his knowledge to successors who shared his deep interest in and commitment to the language. After his death, some of those who had benefited from his help decided to compile a publication comprising his most influential writings on Ulster-Scots, together with other supporting essays, as a tribute to the man and his achievements.
In the absence of an established formal presence for Ulster-Scots in the education system in Northern Ireland, it was also hoped that the production of such a volume would make a new generation of students aware of the pioneering work done by Professor Gregg on Ulster-Scots orthography.
The resultant book, entitled The Academic Study of Ulster-Scots: Essays for and by Robert J. Gregg (National Museums and Galleries of Northern Ireland, Ulster Folk & Transport Museum), was published in 2006, with financial assistance from The Ulster-Scots Agency and the Ulster-Scots Academy Implementation Group. However, as publisher, National Museums Northern Ireland was keen to ensure that the text is made accessible to as wide a readership as possible. For that reason, in 2013 it sought and received permission from all the original contributors or their successors to re-publish it in electronic form, and wishes to record its gratitude for the willingness with which this was given.
While the online text has been carefully checked against the hard copy, accurate representation of the orthography in html to meet all conceivable display variables is not possible. For this reason a pdf facsimile * of the original publication has also been made available as an alternative and as a reference against which the online text can be verified.
Anne Smyth,
Ulster Folk & Transport Museum,
January, 2015
Note
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