Is the Irish Language going out of fashion? Please Vote!

Blub2k4 · 13-01-2005 09:17AM

Slutmonkey57b wrote:

I don't hate the language.

I do hate the bullsh!t, lies and hypocricy that follows from it and that gets people to shove it down our throats whether we want it or not. People are forced to learn the language, but still choose not to use it. Why won't the Irish fanatacists admit that there is a reason for this? Why won't they admit that the language is a political tool and not a living language at all?

Being brought up bilingual will indeed increase your language skills - but again, this is not due to the use of Irish itself. If you're going to teach a dead language, why not teach Latin, and show people how most european languages have evolved? Better yet, why not teach a modern LIVING European language instead? Why not make Irish optional from the start of secondary school?

Not for any other reason than that the Irish lobbyists won't admit the truth, that's all.

How is Irish supposed to be a living language if it were abandoned in Schools? That really would consign it to the dustbin of history. I understand that the method of teaching it normally leads to a lack of interest, but I also remember when I was in school in the 80's that it was "trendy" not to do well in Irish, people used to boast about how badly they had done in their Inter results as if it was a badge of honour, I'm sure some of them feel stupid about that now.
As you say it has as much relevance as maths or history. Modern languages are taught already.
Do you really also not understand the importance of culture? Are young peoples lives so shallow these days that it means nothing?

Slutmonkey57b · 14-01-2005 02:16AM

I say quite the opposite actually - it has no relevance at all. Maths and history have some application in the real world, and are useful things to be taught. Irish is anything but.

Again, and i'm getting tired saying it, the method of teaching is not to blame. You could get the best teachers in the world to teach Irish and it would have no effect, because the end product of all that learning is not worth it to a lot of people. The method of teaching english in schools is, if anything, worse than the method of teaching Irish, but still people choose to use it.

Suggesting that the "holy trinity" of Irish, Trad, and the GAA is all that there is to irish culture these days is equally shallow in my mind. And why should "young people" be the bogymen? I know just as many middle-aged disparagers of the language as I do youngsters.

elivsvonchiaing · 14-01-2005 02:46AM

I reckon it was the department of education that ruined Irish for me. Before I was born they amalgamated "Irish" into one language where there were at least 4 distinct dialects. They eliminated the character set. Needless to say this was during Mao Zhedong's reign! :eek: If at the age of say 9 I was introduced to language. With character set - regional dialects only hinted at. At 12 - choice - do I take it on or not? Think I would have tbh!

Instead I got it shoved down my throat since kindergarden - hated it since 6 y/o. DOE to blame imho.

Status of "Gaeilge"?

It makes as much sense as the Israeli government re-issuing state forms in two forms of Yiddish and Ladhinho!

Gaelic (Irish) & (Scottish) is dead - 'coz both are ghosts of their original resurrected by people who simply could not see the future imho!

seanybiker · 14-01-2005 03:01AM

sadly it is going out of fashion. next month i think its getting dropped from the list of things you need to join the guards which is sad but in my case its ok cos i never got my irish leaing

Breezer · 13-06-2005 03:36PM

As of today, Irish has been designated an official working language of the EU.

Just thought I'd mention that to start the debate again.

Humpty D · 13-06-2005 04:10PM

It was never cool. Only squares speak fluent Irish to each other.

prospect · 13-06-2005 04:10PM

Is dóigh liom go bhfuil gluaiseacht na Gaeilge ag dul ar aghaidh níos tapúla i láthair na huaire. Tá níos mó daoine fásta ag foghlaim í nó ag áth fhoghlaim an méid a bhí acu roimhe. Freisin, de réir dealraimh tá níos mó daltaí scoile ag freastal ar scoileanna in a bhfuil gach ábhair á mhúineadh trí mheán na Gaeilge (i.e. Gaelscoileanna). B’fhéidir go bhfuil muid ag déanamh ráiteas faoin ár gcultúr agus neamhspleáchas mar náisiún taobh istigh den Aontas Eorpach.

Humpty D · 13-06-2005 04:26PM

prospect wrote:

Is dóigh liom go bhfuil gluaiseacht na Gaeilge ag dul ar aghaidh níos tapúla i láthair na huaire. Tá níos mó daoine fásta ag foghlaim í nó ag áth fhoghlaim an méid a bhí acu roimhe. Freisin, de réir dealraimh tá níos mó daltaí scoile ag freastal ar scoileanna in a bhfuil gach ábhair á mhúineadh trí mheán na Gaeilge (i.e. Gaelscoileanna). B’fhéidir go bhfuil muid ag déanamh ráiteas faoin ár gcultúr agus neamhspleáchas mar náisiún taobh istigh den Aontas Eorpach.

Square.

prospect · 13-06-2005 04:29PM

Humpty D wrote:

Square.

Thanks

scuba steve · 13-06-2005 04:33PM

Don't learn the subject well but that hector is great

is_that_so · 13-06-2005 05:29PM

Leis na "cupla focal" ata fagtha agam taim buartha gur teanga oifigiul an Ghaeilge san Eoraip. Mar ata leirithe anseo is beag suim ata ag Eireannaigh i a labhairt. Ta se scannalach go bhfuil costas €3 milliun in aghaidh na bliana toisc gur mhian le mionlach na tire leiriu go bhfuil gra na teanga fos acu.

Quite simply, hypocritical. Sad to say, another waste of money perpetrating illusions. TG4 and R na G are not examples of a living language.

maeve49 · 13-06-2005 05:52PM

I think that the Irish Language is pretty popular. Hector from TG4 has defiantely given it an element of cool! I for one am really glad to have the language, when you are abroad, you really see the importance of having your own language, its part of my identity and a great way of gossiping without getting caught!

I think also that most people who went to the gaeltachts as teenagers had great memories from that - first girl/boy friend, first kiss - part of the growing up process and I think that its something that we should pass on. As Ireland is becoming increasingly multicultural I think that it is important to retain our identity throught the language also.

I do agree that the emphasis is all wrong in the way its taught, but I am sure everyone who went to school here still has cupla focail and should try and use it when they can!

Wibbs · 14-06-2005 10:41AM

For me anyone who claims to hate the language is a bit of a fool, but as a living language irish does seem to be struggling, despite sucessive governments expensive attempts to prop it up.

If it is such a part of our "culture" why does it need such support? Many minority languages around the world survive and thrive under much more frugal circumstances. Certainly the way it's taught has a lot to do with it's lack of use, but that can't be all of the problem.

The militant gaelgoirs(sp) are a much of the problem. Their constant whining about funding and culture really starts to wear after a while and can only weaken their cause in eyes of many. It can reach ridiculous proportions in the hands of someone like that liver lipped amadan o'cuiv. His insistance that placenames in the gaelthacht can only be in irish is to my mind madness and only causes confusion to the Irish and tourists alike. Yea right. It's almost laughable. Not so funny when one considers the money it takes to make such changes. How many hospital beds did that cost?

Now that Irish is an official language of the EU, thes costs are set to rise further. All this for a language that precious few use at all and even fewer speak with any skill. Let's go back to year zero and stand bare titted at the crossroads cursing perfidious Albion for destroying our culture.

As for Hector et al on TG4, fine, but how many would tune in if the subtitle machine broke down?(In fairness the TG4 weather girls may make me hesitate for longer on the remote button than is seemly even without subtitles)

Cool_CM · 14-06-2005 01:11PM

Two words- PAISEAN FAISEAN!
What a show!

Is the Irish Language going out of fashion? Please Vote!

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