Introduction

Coolaboola, is a three part schools series aimed at 11-14 year-olds, which explores and celebrates contemporary vernacular speech in Northern Ireland using drama, comic sketches and game show parodies. The series draws its energy from the conviction that language is a living expression of people's history and identity. Sketches such as Gaelic Coffee highlight the Irish origins of many words in use throughout the English speaking world while others, such as The Interview, humorously make the point that there are times when it is more appropriate to "speak properly" in Standard English, without denigrating the dialect. Bog Off!, the mini drama which runs throughout the series, tells the story of a city boy's growing awareness and respect for the speech of his rural friends whose everyday language reflects the rich influence of Ulster Scots.