Why can nobody speak Irish?

PhlegmyMoses · 26-07-2013 05:39PM

Iwasfrozen; Were you interfered with as a child whilst a reading of Peig Sayers was being done on the radio? It's the only logical explanation for your hatred of the language. Go on you can tell us, we're all friends here.

Iwasfrozen · 26-07-2013 05:47PM

Princess Consuela Bananahammock wrote: »

How exactly how does that work?

As to it being "worthless", that boils down to the individual.

It's a bit arrogant (not to mention hypocrtical) to denouce people using the word "our" language and "our" heritange and assuming it automatically has value to everyone; and then to denouce it as being "worthless" for you and assuming it's therefore worhtless to everyone, full stop.

Well it is a language so it's technically not fictional.

Alright, tell me what value the Irish language has? To me or anyone else? Should the language die it is not like it will disappear off the face of the earth. Knowledge would still be kept in academic circles and records from pre anglophone Ireland would still exist

PhlegmyMoses wrote: »

Iwasfrozen; Were you interfered with as a child whilst a reading of Peig Sayers was being done on the radio? It's the only logical explanation for your hatred of the language. Go on you can tell us, we're all friends here.

Nope, can't say I was.

woodoo · 26-07-2013 07:29PM

I hate it and would happily see it die away apart from historians in TCD or UCD keeping a few records on it.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock · 26-07-2013 07:36PM

Iwasfrozen wrote: »

Well it is a language so it's technically not fictional.

Westeros is a place, is it technically not fictional as well?

Alright, tell me what value the Irish language has? To me or anyone else? Should the language die it is not like it will disappear off the face of the earth. Knowledge would still be kept in academic circles and records from pre anglophone Ireland would still exist

To whom? I can;t speak for you and it would by hypocrtical for me to accuse you of decideing for someone lase and then do the same.

Iwasfrozen · 26-07-2013 11:03PM

Princess Consuela Bananahammock wrote: »

Westeros is a place, is it technically not fictional as well?

Westeros is not a place. (unfortunately)

To whom? I can;t speak for you and it would by hypocrtical for me to accuse you of decideing for someone lase and then do the same.

In general. Don't dodge the question.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock · 26-07-2013 11:45PM

Iwasfrozen wrote: »

Westeros is not a place. (unfortunately)

In general. Don't dodge the question.

So we accept the meaning of fiction.

As to your question, it was answered. Unless you implied a specific person, in which case please clarify whom.

Iwasfrozen · 26-07-2013 11:55PM

Princess Consuela Bananahammock wrote: »

So we accept the meaning of fiction.

I would hope so.

As to your question, it was answered. Unless you implied a specific person, in which case please clarify whom.

No you tried to dodge the question by implying value (or utility) is subjective. And while this is true many assets (such as Irish) have a single quantifiable utility from the point of view of society as a whole.

Now what in your view is the value of Irish to our society?

Princess Consuela Bananahammock · 27-07-2013 12:03AM

Iwasfrozen wrote: »

I would hope so.

No you tried to dodge the question by implying value (or utility) is subjective. And while this is true many assets (such as Irish) have a single quantifiable utility from the point of view of society as a whole.

Now what in your view is the value of Irish to our society?

I never tried to dodge anything. You specificall said "to me or anyone else" - which implies persaonal, not societal, and I asnwered as such.

On a societal value, though? Probably not a lot, but does it have to be a benefit to society?

I mean, there are lots of things that people do for enjoyment that have no real benefit to society but we're not dismissing them as useless, are we?

Iwasfrozen · 27-07-2013 12:16AM

Princess Consuela Bananahammock wrote: »

I never tried to dodge anything. You specificall said "to me or anyone else" - which implies persaonal, not societal, and I asnwered as such.

On a societal value, though? Probably not a lot, but does it have to be a benefit to society?

I mean, there are lots of things that people do for enjoyment that have no real benefit to society but we're not dismissing them as useless, are we?

There are but apart from evangelical Christians I know of no other group with such an inflated sense of entitlement or desire to push their views on other people then Irish language enthusiasts.

And just like with evangelicals the converted speakers rather then the native are the worst. Honestly my only problem with Irish is the level of state support given to it. I believe that money could be better spent and I resent what I see as a huge waste of resources and frankly the selfish gaelgeoirs who perpetuate this waste in resources during a time of financial meltdown annoy the hell out of me.

If we were digging holes or raising pyramids the outcome would be the same. At least with the latter we would have nice pyramids to look at.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock · 27-07-2013 12:30AM

Iwasfrozen wrote: »

There are but apart from evangelical Christians I know of no other group with such an inflated sense of entitlement or desire to push their views on other people then Irish language enthusiasts.

Not sure I agree, but one way or aother it's their right.

And just like with evangelicals the converted speakers rather then the native are the worst. Honestly my only problem with Irish is the level of state support given to it. I believe that money could be better spent and I resent what I see as a huge waste of resources and frankly the selffish gaelgeoirs who perpetuate this waste in resources during a time of financial meltdown annoy the hell out of me.

Part of the goal of any govenremnt is to preserve and promote native cultural aspects and arts, and part of the way it does this is via funding. Should they stop funding the galleries and museums as well? Because they might not be of use to society? Is Ireland a nation of philistines all of a sudden?

I have no idea how much is paid to support the language, so I can't say if it's inapporiate or not (I'm guessing neither can you).

Iwasfrozen · 27-07-2013 12:41AM

Princess Consuela Bananahammock wrote: »

Not sure I agree, but one way or aother it's their right.

And it's my right to take a less then tasteful view of their actions.

Part of the goal of any govenremnt is to preserve and promote native cultural aspects and arts, and part of the way it does this is via funding. Should they stop funding the galleries and museums as well? Because they might not be of use to society? Is Ireland a nation of philistines all of a sudden?

Who gave the government this goal? The people? Surely the people can speak for themselves. At least their pockets can.

I don't know if Ireland has become a nation of philistines and frankly it's none of the governments concern. Let the theatres and museums source their own funding. If the demand is in place they will survive. If not they will go the way of the Irish language.

I have no idea how much is paid to support the language, so I can't say if it's inapporiate or not (I'm guessing neither can you).

The actual amount spent is only half the problem. The allocation of the money is another matter. Translating documents and signposts that no one will ever read is case in point.

They even dressed a hawk in a snazzy suit and sent him out to make sure these silly laws are abided by. I only call it a hawk for convenience, heaven knows what species it is but it answers to the name Seán Ó Cuirreáin.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock · 27-07-2013 12:53AM

Iwasfrozen wrote: »

Who gave the government this goal? The people? Surely the people can speak for themselves. At least their pockets can.

I don't know if Ireland has become a nation of philistines and frankly it's none of the governments concern. Let the theatres and museums source their own funding. If the demand is in place they will survive. If not they will go the way of the Irish language.

I believe the electorate, via democracy. Bearing in mind I said ANY government, not specifcally ours.

As to the later comment - are you serious? You could gladly watch every aspect of art and expression dissapear simply because it was not making a profit? You do realise there is more to life? One of the best things about Dublin (can't speak for the rest of the country, but probaably there too) is that there is a lot to do and learn and most of it's free.

The actual amount spent is only half the problem. The allocation of the money is another matter. Translating documents and signposts that no one will ever read is case in point.

They even dressed a hawk in a snazzy suit and sent him out to make sure these silly laws are abided by. I only call it a hawk for convenience, heaven knows what species it is but it answers to the name Seán Ó Cuirreáin.

Don't know the man in question, but I pretty much agree with everthing you said here. I think a lot of people on both side of the fence would. The extremists should be treated as extremists.

Iwasfrozen · 27-07-2013 01:11AM

Princess Consuela Bananahammock wrote: »

I believe the electorate, via democracy. Bearing in mind I said ANY government, not specifcally ours.

As to the later comment - are you serious? You could gladly watch every aspect of art and expression dissapear simply because it was not making a profit? You do realise there is more to life? One of the best things about Dublin (can't speak for the rest of the country, but probaably there too) is that there is a lot to do and learn and most of it's free.

They don't necessarily need to make profit. They could secure private backing. Either from a wealthy individual or a concerned community. If they don't receive backing and they can't attract enough visitors to stay open then I'm afraid for them the people have spoken with the truest form of democracy. Their pockets.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock wrote: »

Don't know the man in question, but I pretty much agree with everthing you said here. I think a lot of people on both side of the fence would. The extremists should be treated as extremists.

There are a few posters on this site who would maintain that visibility (in the case of signposts) and the ability to use Irish when engaging with the state in any matter are fundamental pillars to revival and normalisation of the use of Irish in daily life.

I can see their point, why learn Irish if you don't get the chance to use it? But I disagree because I believe a revival of Irish as the language of the majority is impossible under American cultural hegemony. So all they're doing is wasting money, they're achieving nothing because Irish will never be revived. No matter what incentive is introduced next.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock · 27-07-2013 01:35AM

Iwasfrozen wrote: »

They don't necessarily need to make profit. They could secure private backing. Either from a wealthy individual or a concerned community. If they don't receive backing and they can't attract enough visitors to stay open then I'm afraid for them the people have spoken with the truest form of democracy. Their pockets.

That's capitalism, not democracy. There are loads of things I personally have no interest in but am very happy for the state to fund. There are loads of things that the state pays for that I do.

If the State did diecde to let the museums and galleries close, then I assure you there'd be plenty of opposition. At least, I hope there would.

There are a few posters on this site who would maintain that visibility (in the case of signposts) and the ability to use Irish when engaging with the state in any matter are fundamental pillars to revival and normalisation of the use of Irish in daily life.

I can see their point, why learn Irish if you don't get the chance to use it? But I disagree because I believe a revival of Irish as the language of the majority is impossible under American cultural hegemony. So all they're doing is wasting money, they're achieving nothing because Irish will never be revived. No matter what incentive is introduced next.

The signposts, I'm okay with. The engaging with the State at every opportunity was shown up to be the impractical mess that it was. The extemists will demand it and be ignored.

If someone is going to make the effort to learn Irish, then they're going to try and use it. Not for you to deicde whether the wsated their money or not. Don't go down the education route - that's been covered to death, and we pretty much agree anyway.

Iwasfrozen · 27-07-2013 01:44AM

Princess Consuela Bananahammock wrote: »

That's capitalism, not democracy. There are loads of things I personally have no interest in but am very happy for the state to fund. There are loads of things that the state pays for that I do.

If the State did diecde to let the museums and galleries close, then I assure you there'd be plenty of opposition. At least, I hope there would.

Capitalism often helps us see what people really want. They may not want to fund a theatre themselves but are happy for the government to do the same with their tax. ften forgetting where the tax money comes from.

People only really want what they pay for and only pay for things they really want.

The signposts, I'm okay with. The engaging with the State at every opportunity was shown up to be the impractical mess that it was. The extemists will demand it and be ignored.

Same.

If someone is going to make the effort to learn Irish, then they're going to try and use it. Not for you to deicde whether the wsated their money or not. Don't go down the education route - that's been covered to death, and we pretty much agree anyway.

Their money being the ultimate word there. Let them waste their money all they want but if my money is being wasted to facilitate them then I have a problem with that.

Siosleis · 27-07-2013 05:40AM

I speak Irish fluently, as well as French , Spanish and Italian.I found that the basics of grammar that I had been taught through Irish served me very well on the world stage and made other languages easy to pick up.Sin é domsa ar aon fhios.

worded · 27-07-2013 06:00AM

Two pages in and no one mentioned peig.
Some of the poems were dreadful. Our irish teacher spoke of the poem where the wife kept forgetting to put salt in the porridge. So one day they both added it presuming the other had forgotten, that the punch line! And I have to teach you this crap she said.

Peig was a very depressing read.

Siosleis · 27-07-2013 06:17AM

worded wrote: »

Two pages in and no one mentioned peig.
Some of the poems were dreadful. Our irish teacher spoke of the poem where the wife kept forgetting to put salt in the porridge. So one day they both added it presuming the other had forgotten, that the punch line! And I have to teach you this crap she said.

Peig was a very depressing read.

Your Irish teacher should have been put down."leite Dhonnacha Pheig" is a commentary on small village politics.

BognarRegis · 27-07-2013 06:23AM

Princess Consuela Bananahammock wrote: »

That's capitalism, not democracy. There are loads of things I personally have no interest in but am very happy for the state to fund.

The state does not force people to go into those museums and theatres, whreas it does force people to learn Irish.

Grayson · 27-07-2013 09:34AM

Princess Consuela Bananahammock wrote: »

As to the later comment - are you serious? You could gladly watch every aspect of art and expression dissapear simply because it was not making a profit? You do realise there is more to life? One of the best things about Dublin (can't speak for the rest of the country, but probaably there too) is that there is a lot to do and learn and most of it's free.

But if dublin kept building more spires, we'd think they were stupid and wasteing money.

I love wandering around the museums of Dublin. But when you consider how much is spent on them compared to how much is spent on Irish, it's a bit silly. Every document is translated into Irish here. Every school teaches it. There's a subsidised TV channel for it. I'm pretty certain that museums only get a fraction of money that's given to Irish.

This article estimates, although I'll admit it provides no sources, that we spend 1bn on teaching irish a year.
http://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/editorial/the-irish-language--throwing-good-money-after-bad-225250.html

It's a kinda believable figure. Whatever the actual figure is, it's going to be massive.

There are better ways to spend that money rather than propping up a project that's failed. the government has spent decades trying to make this country speak irish and it's failed. It's probably a better use of money to stop funding irish to the same extend and focus on other cultural activities. Could you imagine the epic festivals that we'd have throughout the country if we spent 100 mil on it? Music, art, literature etc would be thriving. And it would be Irish culture, even if it's not Irish language.

We need to stop compulsory Irish after the junior cert, if not after primary. We need to focus on conversational Irish for the first few years. And we need to stop shoving pointless poems and stories down the throats of students. It took the dept of education years to realise that Peig did more harm than good, mainly because the irish cultural nazis thought it was an important part of our history and culture.

Doing all that would cut expenditure and focus on the main areas if fluency that need addressing. If we can't do that then there's no point. the Irish lanugage now has enough speakers who speak it on a daily basis outside of the education system that it was technically a dead language. I say was because the EU changed their definition of what a dead language was after the Irish government lobbied them. And it was due to government lobbying that the language status was changed from treaty status to official status.

Dead or alive, the Irish language is on it's last legs. The discussion about whether or not it's living is similar to a discussion about whether or not a person on life support is. The irish language is on a billion euro's of life support at the moment. And that billion euro's is hardly making a dent. So either we change what we're doing, or give up and pull the plug. Because I'm sure everyone can think of a better use for that money.

.jacksparrow. · 27-07-2013 09:38AM

Herb Powell wrote: »

Have you ever heard of a little thing called "The Plantations" ?

Yes but surely out of sheer determination would they not keep the Irish language going stronger than ever?

periodictable · 27-07-2013 09:56AM

Irish is a particularly difficult language.
For example woman is "bean" and the plural is "mna". WTF, how does someone get to that?
It seems that irregularity is the norm. What was taught was a turnoff for many , as all the stories/novels/poetry seemed to be preoccupied with poverty, hardship, emigration, war, ochon, ochon...
I used to be fluent while in school, and I put this down to Irish College in the summers. 20-odd years on I understand it, but am reluctant to speak it as my vocabulary reserves are low and it gets frustrating. Conversely I can read and hold a conversation in French and Spanish, and this I put down to the ease of the grammar but with the fact that I get to travel or meet native speakers and use it.
Despite this, Irish is a beautiful language, especially when spoken by native speakers. Two examples of the subtlety of the native speaker come to mind.
There was a Kerry woman, Maire de Barra who used to say simply "Suan", at close of programming, whereas the non-native speakers would trot out "Oiche mhaith agus codladh samh".
Another one that comes to mind is a TG4 weather forecaster talking about weather "i mbolg na tire". Taught Irish speakers would most certainly use "i lar na tire". I think in both examples show the subtleties of native speaker vs non-native speaker, and that this translates into the teaching.

Ficheall · 27-07-2013 10:00AM

Grayson wrote: »

This article estimates, although I'll admit it provides no sources, that we spend 1bn on teaching irish a year.
http://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/editorial/the-irish-language--throwing-good-money-after-bad-225250.html

And it's about 13bn a year on education in general, no?

It's not just Irish that one isn't getting one's money's worth in, to be fair. Probably all due to poor teaching and examination standards though.

Incidentally, this one estimates that we spend 20 billion on social welfare :P
http://www.irishcentral.com/news/A-third-of-Irelands-expenditure-goes-toward-social-welfare-payment-126083018.html

Grayson wrote: »

Could you imagine the epic festivals that we'd have throughout the country if we spent 100 mil on it? Music, art, literature etc would be thriving. And it would be Irish culture, even if it's not Irish language.

I'm curious as to how you see this panning out.. You're thinking of a musical festival headlined by U2 and the Dubliners, is it?

Grayson wrote: »

We need to focus on conversational Irish for the first few years.

Agree 100%. This and the removal of resentment alone would quite probably save the Irish language.

Grayson wrote: »

Dead or alive, the Irish language is on it's last legs.

I had lunch trí Ghaeilge yesterday with a friend who teaches Irish in Belgium. We passed a group of schoolkids nattering away as Gaeilge as we were walking through town. Irish may be on the way out, but it will certainly outlive all of us.

LordSutch · 27-07-2013 10:19AM

Surely the elephant in the room is Welsh? Population three million, with a devolved parliament within the United Kingdom and yet the Welsh language flourishes, whilst here in Ireland the Irish languish has bumped along at the bottom of the pond since independence from the UK!

Everything by forceful means has been tried to get us to speak Irish since the 1920s/30s, and yet it still just hasn't taken off, and here we are in 2013 with a new school term about to kick off in September, with Irish high on the curriculum for all our Primary & Secondary schools, and yet most pupils will leave with the same old same old Cupla Focal 'at best' after spending all their school lives "doing" Irish (not learning).

The only thing that hasn't be tried is Enda's idea of taking the pressure off the language after Junior Cert, to see if that attracts pupils to the language (by choice), but sadly his idea was shot down in flames a few years ago, so its back to the same old same old mandatory Irish (for all children) for the foreseeable future

Princess Consuela Bananahammock · 27-07-2013 11:53AM

Iwasfrozen wrote: »

Capitalism often helps us see what people really want. They may not want to fund a theatre themselves but are happy for the government to do the same with their tax. ften forgetting where the tax money comes from.

People only really want what they pay for and only pay for things they really want.

Capitalism always helps the individual see what he wants. He then tries to turn it into democarcy by twisting it into what everyone wants.

I think people are happy to see their taxes spent on culture on the arts. I've certainly never seen much protest, unless it was something vague and impractical.

BognarRegis wrote: »

The state does not force people to go into those museums and theatres, whreas it does force people to learn Irish.

Grayson wrote: »

But if dublin kept building more spires, we'd think they were stupid and wasteing money.

I love wandering around the museums of Dublin. But when you consider how much is spent on them compared to how much is spent on Irish, it's a bit silly. Every document is translated into Irish here. Every school teaches it. There's a subsidised TV channel for it. I'm pretty certain that museums only get a fraction of money that's given to Irish.

This article estimates, although I'll admit it provides no sources, that we spend 1bn on teaching irish a year.
http://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/editorial/the-irish-language--throwing-good-money-after-bad-225250.html

It's a kinda believable figure. Whatever the actual figure is, it's going to be massive.

There are better ways to spend that money rather than propping up a project that's failed. the government has spent decades trying to make this country speak irish and it's failed. It's probably a better use of money to stop funding irish to the same extend and focus on other cultural activities. Could you imagine the epic festivals that we'd have throughout the country if we spent 100 mil on it? Music, art, literature etc would be thriving. And it would be Irish culture, even if it's not Irish language.

We need to stop compulsory Irish after the junior cert, if not after primary. We need to focus on conversational Irish for the first few years. And we need to stop shoving pointless poems and stories down the throats of students. It took the dept of education years to realise that Peig did more harm than good, mainly because the irish cultural nazis thought it was an important part of our history and culture.

Doing all that would cut expenditure and focus on the main areas if fluency that need addressing. If we can't do that then there's no point. the Irish lanugage now has enough speakers who speak it on a daily basis outside of the education system that it was technically a dead language. I say was because the EU changed their definition of what a dead language was after the Irish government lobbied them. And it was due to government lobbying that the language status was changed from treaty status to official status.

Dead or alive, the Irish language is on it's last legs. The discussion about whether or not it's living is similar to a discussion about whether or not a person on life support is. The irish language is on a billion euro's of life support at the moment. And that billion euro's is hardly making a dent. So either we change what we're doing, or give up and pull the plug. Because I'm sure everyone can think of a better use for that money.

A agree, and have made the same points man times. But I was not argueing the amount and way of the funding. I was arguing that the government should be funding it, as it funds other cultural and artistic endeveours and making then a vailablle to those whoa what them, and that people would pissed off if everything suddenly disappeared.

AlanS181824 · 27-07-2013 01:44PM

In school when I was getting thought Irish (Still am

) the teachers would just force you to learn off sentences and phrases without any real every day use of them and if you fell behind you would just be sort of brushed over because it is assumed that someone at home has fluent Irish. Coming from a family that lived in Sweden for a long time that wasn't really possible. Their attitude is, were you born in Ireland? ...Yep. Were your parents born in Ireland? ...Yup. Well then you should have no problem speaking Irish! So here I am about to go into TY with no interest in the language but can't get an exemption because I'm not dyslexic and was born in Ireland.....Im in ordinary btw...yay... -.-

NeVeR · 27-07-2013 01:56PM

I can speak Irish fluently, I did all my schooling through Irish.
While i like the fact that I can speak my own languages, If I could turn back the clock and had a choice I would never do it again.
Reason: I did all my subjects in Irish, Woodwork / Art/ Tech graph etc. and since I did it in Irish I learned all the terms in Irish.. and speaking to anyone that done it in English they have no clue what I'm trying to explain etc. Learning them all in Irish was such a disadvantage as the whole world uses English.

AlanS181824 · 27-07-2013 01:59PM

NeVeR wrote: »

I can speak Irish fluently, I did all my schooling through Irish.
While i like the fact that I can speak my own languages, If I could turn back the clock and had a choice I would never do it again.
Reason: I did all my subjects in Irish, Woodwork / Art/ Tech graph etc. and since I did it in Irish I learned all the terms in Irish.. and speaking to anyone that done it in English they have no clue what I'm trying to explain etc. Learning them all in Irish was such a disadvantage as the whole world uses English.

Wow, that must have been so difficult for you. Doing Irish in Irish is hard enough for me as it is lol. Imagine doing other subjects in it...

Dostoevsky · 27-07-2013 02:32PM

NeVeR wrote: »

Learning them all in Irish was such a disadvantage as the whole world uses English.

Sweet suffering Jesus.

As somebody currently outside Ireland in a non-English-speaking country (these barbarians do exist, old chap!) I can assure you that it is a first rate delusion of the untravelled English mind that thinks "the whole world uses English". Not even half, not even quarter. Wearing a t-shirt declaring "I love bj" (cringe), as I saw today, does not qualify one as a speaker of English. Not even a majority of people in either Europe or the EU, where the most widely spoken first language is... German, not English. Nobody who has travelled could subscribe to this nonsense. I have travelled hugely and this "English is the world language" delusion f*cked me over massively in my first trips. People only have to see the shocking English "translations" around them, if they exist at all, to drop down to earth. And that's just within the EU. Today, I saw about 20 "white" people, even when I was seeking them out. And the ones I found spoke to me in broken English (they were German, or at least German speakers).

The delusions of English monoglots about the extent of competent English speakers beyond the Anglo world is entertaining in its ignorance.

AlanS181824 · 27-07-2013 02:37PM

Dostoevsky wrote: »

Sweet suffering Jesus.

As somebody currently outside Ireland in a non-English-speaking country (these barbarians do exist, old chap!) I can assure you that it is a first rate delusion of the untravelled English mind that thinks "the whole world uses English". Not even half, not even quarter. Wearing a t-shirt declaring "I love bj" (cringe), as I saw today, does not qualify one as a speaker of English. Not even a majority of people in either Europe or the EU, where the most widely spoken first language is... German, not English. Nobody who has travelled could subscribe to this nonsense. I have travelled hugely and this "English is the world language" delusion f*cked me over massively in my first trips. People only have to see the shocking English "translations" around them, if they exist at all, to drop down to earth. And that's just within the EU. Today, I saw about 20 "white" people, even when I was seeking them out. And the ones I found spoke to me in broken English (they were German, or at least German speakers).

The delusions of English monoglots about the extent of competent English speakers beyond the Anglo world is entertaining in its ignorance.

French is the most spoken language in the EU I believe.
Edit: My apologies German is actually the most spoken language, which is of course besides the point but its interesting to know.

Why can nobody speak Irish?

Comments