Thoughts on irish language?

Question

i love irish.. but do you think it should be banned from schools or made optional etc.. give me ur thoughts.. and even though i like irish, im young, so im not fluent.. and i cant believe im saying this but answers would be appreciated in english!!! i think thats a disgrace that i just said that!!

Answer 1

Banning it is not the way forward- we need to allow people the opportunity to learn the language and also give them the opportunity to opt out.

The real problem lies with the teaching of Irish. As a primary school teacher i feel that irish is largely focused on exams and on classical irish literacy rather than a basic functional ability in irish. The way Irish is taught turns people off the language. The fact that many people find it important and see it as part of irish culture & heritage means that banning would be a step too far for most. I'd go for taught orally in primary and voluntary in secondary while the whole of the curriculum must be changed.


And irish - please seperate your own experience from the issue. I teach 9 year olds who enjoy our irish lessons. they also have some conversational ability. the problem is that irish isn't being atught simply & enjoyably.

Answer 2

No language should be banned and cannot be banned. Irish language is one of the languages spoken by a small number of people. It is the result of historical development and events on the island of Ireland. The question is, forgetting preservation of the language as a historical relic and cultural heritage, is it to be used just for the reason of being distinct from the English or is the Gaeilge vital and modern enough to be used today with the backing of the major part of the Irish populace. The answer to the question may help you to decide whether it should be compulsory in schools. I hope it would be positive. Remember, on 1 of January 2007 the language becomes one of the official languages of the EU.

Answer 3

Well I'm Welsh so sort of know what you mean.

I can't speak fluent Welsh (despite the fact that I AM Welsh) - its probably the same in Ireland as it is in Wales - lots of Welsh people don't actually speak Welsh or only speak it a little bit. And they are made to feel guilty about not speaking it by the ones who do.

The thing in Wales is they brought in the Welsh Language Act which has made it compulsory up to age 16 and all public information etc has to be billingual. So for the younger generation its actually better as they will at least have learned it to GCSE standard at school (if they went to an English speaking school. Some go to Welsh speaking schools where everything is taught in Welsh).

My parent's generation did no Welsh at all at school and my generation only did a little bit. I left school in 1990 and the Welsh Language Act had't even come in then so it was too late for me. My school didn't teach it.

I think you'll find your replies will be along these lines - those who speak it will defend it vehemently and those who don't won't be that bothered or will feel that too much fus is made about it. Thats how it is in Wales anyway.

Answer 4

Blunt. You have every right to maintain and use your native language. It should not be banned, no person has the right to destroy your national heritage. When writing `Ireland`, ALWAYS use a capital ` I`. Learn your native tongue, it is a wonderful language. I am English, but can manage a few words in Irish, and love to hear it spoken.

Answer 5

I think that Irish in Ireland should be made compulsory because you need to teach your culture and carry tradition and be proud of where you come from, otherwise what is the point in what your ancestors have fought wars for? I also think no matter where you come from in this world that you need to install your history and background and beliefs in everything you believe in and have been taught no matter where you are from.xxxxxxxx
p.s I am not from Ireland xx

Answer 6

Irish is a beautiful language, and in Ireland it should be compulsory, as it was in my school. It will soon be an ancient language if it is made optional or banned. how awful!

Answer 7

I'm Irish and I think if we lost the language it would be a terrible lose, other countries have the English language encroaching on them but the hold on to their mother tongue and so should Ireland and its people.

Answer 8

rather, i'm english. it is going to likely be a actual shame if it disappears, that's area of your subculture. They shouldn't in basic terms tutor it in school the two, i think of the classes could be in gaelic, so infants precise learn it. the only words i understand are slainte mikara (i think of it potential cheers mate, like as in having a drink at the same time) Ah, cool, cheers ;) i've got have been given 2 irish housemates (northern eire - one catholic and protestant and that they are acquaintances, which i think of is unquestionably candy, I heard it was once a huge subject that folk from distinctive religions does no longer have something to do with one yet another) and that they the two discovered gaelic in school, yet they'd't talk it like they talk english, you recognize that's a foreign places language for them, which i think of is thoroughly tragic particularly, something could rather be carried out approximately it.

Answer 9

I ABSOLUTELY BELIEVE THAT IRISH SHOULD BE BANNED IN SCHOOLS. It should be optional.
Who do u know that did Irish in school for.. what..8years in primary and 6years in secondary can speak Irish?
do u know anyone that is fluent? i doubt it.
the only people i know that can speak Irish well are people that study to become primary school teachers.
its a joke that its our native language, we learnt it for 14 years approximately and couldn't hold a conversation in Irish.
its total Bull S*it. Get rid of it. And anybody that tries to defend it i guarantee u does not speak or practise it daily or ever probably.

Answer 10

Banning it is a bit extreme! It would be like banning Welsh in Wales. Can't make everyone the same - it'd get boring