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How Irish can be a language we all share
Wednesday, 15 October 2008
Reports of a weekend march through Belfast demanding the introduction of an Irish language act put the number of demonstrators at anything from a couple of hundred to a couple of thousand.
Either way, not exactly a mass turn-out.
Could it be that many people are not quite sure what an Irish language act would entail? What would it mean for all of us? I’m always torn when it comes to the Irish language thing. I once had a go at trying to learn it at evening classes. In the end I gave up — the kids were small, it was hard to find the time to devote to it. But even that small introduction was, I believe, a good thing.
Irish (although Gregory Campbell may not thank me for saying this) is part of our shared culture in this place. Its links with Scottish Gaelic are obvious. It is not, it should not be, exclusive to any one side of the community. No one side of the community should be able to claim a monopoly on it.
Being able to speak Irish does not make you more Irish. Just as being unable to speak Irish does not mean your roots in this land are any less valid than someone who can limp through the Lord’s Prayer in Gaeilge. Irish medium schools? So long as children are being properly educated, they’re fine by me. And so long as the money being spent is being used to maximum effect. But here’s the thing. In order to promote the language, might the money not be better spent on widening the reach of Irish teaching instead of targeting a small and specific elite?
In an ideal world I think the language should be available in some (non-compulsory) form to students right across the board. Even, at the most basic, classes which would give schoolchildren an idea of how so many of the words and expressions (and local place names) in common usage have their roots in Irish would be helpful. Classes that would inspire interest and help scupper the notion that the language ‘belongs’ to one section of one side of the community.
This, of course, is the problem. And we all know it. The Irish language lobby comprises two very different groups. Those who love the language and genuinely wish to see it promoted to a wider audience. And those who see it as a party political weapon whereby Irish equals Irish republicanism.
This latter position has long been deeply divisive. It has excluded — deliberately excluded — unionists. It infers that Irish is a language for ‘ourselves alone’. Will the proposed Irish language act genuinely promote the language to the whole community? Or will it just amount, as many suspect, to more money spent on divisive symbolism?
If we are to finance the promotion of the language surely the cash should be spent in an inclusive and efficient fashion. One which would ensure that the unionist section of the community would also, to use the fashionable phrase, be able to claim ownership of it. This would involve steering clear of ‘promotional’ rules which tend to — which may in fact be specifically designed to — raise people’s hackles.
It’s time we all became a bit more adult about Irish. Promoting the language in a relevant way that respects equality would debunk the myth that republicanism has some special claim on the language.
And unionist and nationalist, we might all learn something from that.
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Comments
24 Comments
Nice article. I agree that in order for Irish to flourish in this part of the country, it must be depoliticised. The only thing is, Irish speakers have no powerful spokespeople, other than Sinn Féin. It's a lose-lose situation for us. Without having SF the language would have very little momentum in the whole process yet in doing so we allow Irish to be seen to be virtually claimed by Catholics/Nationalists/Republicans (or whichever terms you choose to use).
As a university student of Irish, I'd love nothing more than to see people who don't fall into the above groupings to begin to show an interest in Irish; it's as much your language as is it mine. Labhair í agus mairfidh sí.
Posted by Seán | 25.10.08, 16:16 GMT
AS Europeans we should look at how countries ike Switzerland, Norway, Sweden and so on treat languages, especially those that for wahtever reason have been marginalised or forced tot he brink of extinction. The Sami (native Scandinavians) have their own tv programmes, news, radio and so on. There is no reason why money and effort should not be put into making language a menas of communication and not division. In Norway they did everything they possibly could to distance themselves from Danish, to the point of creating a written language of their dialects and this second language is used all the way up to university and in medoia in general. I think a lot of the people of Ireland benefit from knowing that they live on the Listullyard road and what that actually means. Or why we say a lot of things in English that have Irish ethymology. This hsould not even be debated it is a human right and would enrich the lives of all inhaitants of the island. Great craic!
Posted by Dreamonic | 19.10.08, 09:31 GMT
People from all 4 corners of Ireland came in support of ár dteanga. There was at least 2000-3000 there. I know.. I marched and I drove over 200 miles from Waterford for it.
I organise an Irish conversational group in my city. But to ensure the language is accessible by all cultures, I ensure that all politics is removed from the group. This way, everyone can feel welcome, without the stigma of politics that separates our Island. And this is how it should be..
Tá Gaeilge ag teacht ar ais arís. Gaeilge is coming back again. With programs like "In the name of the Fada" being aired, speaking the language once again cool. And so what if we don't use it outside these Isles? Not many countries have a use for their language outside of their country - But they still retain it, because it's apart of them and their culture. Not only in Ireland, but Wales has also seen their language being revived. If they can do it, then so can we.
Le meas,
Seán Ó Briain
Posted by Seán Ó Briain | 17.10.08, 21:37 GMT
saoirse... should u not be posting ur comments in Irish ?
Posted by peter | 17.10.08, 11:41 GMT
British and Irish: You make a lot of sense, but I think if people want to learn these languages they should do so at their own expense and none of the cost should be inflicted on the taxpayer. Last week a headline suggested we're going to see hundreds of nursing job losses. That we can then afford a respirator for Irish beggars belief.
Posted by Steve | 17.10.08, 10:54 GMT
Here's an idea. Teach Ulster Gaelic. Ulster Gaelic is different from the Southern dialects of (Irish) Gaelic.
I am only half joking. First off people need to identify with something to see the value in it. But in terms of branding, perhaps just calling it "Ulster Gaelic" instead of Irish, might be a useful thing to do.
The first benefit of learning a language is going to be cultural, (as opposed to the few who get a job as a foreign language translator).
Why not have the first "extra" language you learn be something of the culture of the native people of the region in which you live.
- If you lived in Lappland, would it not be interesting to learn the basics of the Lapp language, to understand place names and an insight into some the accents?
Posted by British and Irish | 17.10.08, 04:23 GMT
The teaching of Irish as you have said was never denied to anyone. However a unionist upbringing refuses you to set your chains free and embrace the language. You feel it would be a betrayal to your unionist principles so you culture up mistruths and innuendos of exclusiveness. If Sinn Fein supports it then we as protestants can’t.
Posted by saoirse | 17.10.08, 03:32 GMT
Gaelic was banned as a subversive language right up to the unionist and the Orange Order dictatorship of the 20 century. Among many unionist and the Orange Order it still remains a subversive language .
Posted by saoirse | 17.10.08, 03:32 GMT
The Irish language or rather Gaelic is the language of the Gaels was brought to Ireland and later to Scotland by the Celts. After British occupation of Scotland the language was largely confined to the Scottish highlands, with those in the south speaking Scots “ basically English with a Scottish accent”. The Scottish and English protestant ascendancy as it became known who ethnic cleansed Ulster from the Gaelic Irish showed little respect for anything Irish never mind inclusiveness of land and human rights even Presbyterians were treated little better than the Gaelic Irish.
Posted by saoirse | 17.10.08, 03:31 GMT
Can I just say that the Irish language may be great for acheiving Nirvana, bringing about World Peace and aiding digestion, but its utility in communication is severly limited.
Posted by Steve | 16.10.08, 22:32 GMT
Refreshing to read a fair minded article from a unionist on the subject of the Irish language rather than the usual stream of narrow minded bile. However having visited Dublin many times on business I have yet to overhear a conversation in Irish! That must tell you something.
Posted by Grant Caldwell | 16.10.08, 12:25 GMT
So the irish language would be fine if only those nasty republicans stopped using it??
Once more Lindy's analysis seems to have been written in crayon.
If she had ever been in a bunscoil/meanscoil she would realise how ridiculous her claims of elitism are. But research has never been her strong point.
Posted by gearoid | 16.10.08, 12:08 GMT
to promote Irish it would be a good idea to follow the Scots and introduce an Irish (North or South or both) version of Sabhal Mòr Ostaig...
Posted by peter | 16.10.08, 11:09 GMT
I resent my taxpayers money being spent on the English language one of the last remaining vestiges of British colonialism in the six counties. Lets not forget how the indigenous Irish language was almost completely eliminated as a result of British cultural imperialism in Ireland. Its great to see the Irish language undergoing such an amazing revival. Great credit must go to all who have worked so tirelessly to make this happen.
My own piece of advice to Lindy McDowell is to check out Brian Friel's play called Translations. I think after this small piece of education she would better understand how important the Acht na Gaeilge really is.
Posted by Kieran | 15.10.08, 21:01 GMT
In a recent reply, the DOE supplied me with a 'ball park' figure of eight million pounds for replacement of existing road and street signs by bilingual. This is an unaffordable absurdity.
Posted by Malachy McAnespie | 15.10.08, 20:14 GMT
An interesting and questioning article. If more people are to learn Irish Irish-medium education is the most efficient, effecte and cost-effective way to do it. The pupils get the same education they would get in an English-medium school and an additional langauge at no extra cost either to teh tax payer or to the pupils' education. This is how most young people learn additional langauges in many countires throughout the world.
Irish is an important part of our heritage - it is over 2000 years being used in this part of teh world. Why should we not seek to cherish it, protect it, preserve it and promote its use just as we do with other parts of our heritage?
the best way to ensure that unionists feel ownership of Irish is for unionists to take ownership of it and promote to the unionist people. It is not anti-unionist to use Welsh or Scottish Gaelic, why should it be to use Irish?
Sean Ó Coinn
Posted by sean o coinn | 15.10.08, 20:04 GMT
As someone here said, "A well-balanced article and a great viewpoint.".
However, the bottom line is, Irish is of NO use whatsoever beyond these shores! Far better to learn one (or more) of the major European languages in order to communicate with the people of those countries when holidaying or doing business in Europe.
I have NEVER used, or had the need to use Irish and I am 53 years old. I have travelled in the Republic and never heard it used there either. Yes, it would be sad to see part of our shared heritage die out but we have more pressing problems. Schools, hospitals, care of the elderly for example.
The Irish language is a luxury we simply cannot afford at present.
Posted by Centaur | 15.10.08, 19:49 GMT
Lindy, a chara
You begin by commending the language and those who promote it and then fall so easily into the old unionist routine of 'ah, but only for the shinners!'. Putting aside the fact that Sinn Féin, and republicans in general, are extremely poor in the actual promotion of the language, your attempt to split the Irish language lobby into those who actually 'love' the language and 'shinners' is pathetic. It is a common fact that the language is 'loved' (spoken?) by unionists, republicans, nationalists, non-nationalists etc etc. You use the old unionist argument that the language is only used by republicans as a subversive tool against the state. Honestly. You think you would have had a bit more wit than that.
Is mise
Ciarán Mac Murchaidh
Posted by Ciarán Mac Murchaidh | 15.10.08, 18:28 GMT
POBAL, the umbrella organisation for the Irish speaking community has worked for a number of years with international experts to put forward a comprehensive, well-thought out model for the Irish language Act. A copy of the document can be found on their web site at www.pobal.org. We have also done pioneering work on Language Awareness courses for Civil servants and public bodies, and organise the Irish Language Arts Road Show, which tours the north with some of the best internationally renowned Irish speaking artists and singers. THe shows provide high quality performances for both Irish and English speaking audiences and Irish language arts workshops for Irish speaking children. The best way to make the language accessible to all is through the Irish language Act, based on the well-researched proposals we have put forward and which 75% of respondents in two government consultations have supported.
Posted by Janet Muller | 15.10.08, 17:31 GMT
As someone who grew up in the Gaeltacht, I truly believe that the Irish language should receive no government funding at all. If people want to have their children taught through the medium then they should pay for it. I resent my tax payers money being spent to prop up a dead language. It's not like there are any monoglot Gaelic speakers left in N.I anyway.
This has nothing to do with 'constitutional' politics and everything to do with finance, how much money has the Republic wasted on trying to expand the language over the last 90 years? Why would we want to repeat their mistakes, let it slowly wither away.
Posted by Brian | 15.10.08, 15:45 GMT
24 Comments