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English is the most spoken language in Northern Ireland. There are also two recognised regional languages in Northern Ireland: the Irish language (''see Irish language in Northern Ireland'') and the local variety of Scots known as Ulster Scots.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Language/Cultural Diversity: Frequently Asked Questions )〕 Northern Ireland Sign Language and Irish Sign Language have been recognised since 29 March 2004.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Sign Language )〕 English is spoken as a first language by almost all of the Northern Ireland population. It is the ''de facto'' official language and the Administration of Justice (Language) Act (Ireland) 1737 prohibits the use of languages other than English in legal proceedings. Under the Good Friday Agreement, Irish and Ulster Scots (an Ulster dialect of the Scots language, sometimes known as ''Ullans''), are recognised as "part of the cultural wealth of Northern Ireland". 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 British 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 in relation to 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. The earliest linguistic records from what is now Northern Ireland are of Primitive Irish, from about the 5th century AD. Languages spoken in Iron Age Ireland before then are now irretrievable, although there are some claims of traces in toponymy, including in Northern Ireland.〔D. Ó Corrain, 'A future for Irish placenames', in: A. Ó Maolfabhail, ''The placenames of Ireland in the third millennium'', Ordnance Survey for the Placenames Commission, Dublin (1992), p. 44.〕 ==English== (詳細はScots language. There are supposedly some minute differences in pronunciation between Protestants and Catholics, the best known of which is 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. However, geography is a much more important determinant of dialect than religious background. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Languages of Northern Ireland」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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