The sum of Irish and maths
August 23, 2012
Sir, –
I did not have to wait long to see the customary letter questioning the value and usefulness of Irish in the Leaving Certificate. For Andrew Doyle Clifden’s (August 21st) benefit, trigonometry is triantánacht in Irish, which roughly translates to “the study of triangles”.
Most mathematical terms in Irish are similar to their English language counterparts, as they all have their origins in Greek. Calculus is calculas in Irish. I would be more concerned that students would understand the concepts rather than the terms.
In certain cases, Irish language terms are self-explanatory, acting as aides-mémoires to students and deepening their understanding of certain concepts. Hypotenuse is “taobhagán” which translates as “a support/side”. To understand the English term one needs to appreciate the Greek prefix “hypo” and and the Greek verb “teinein” (to stretch) – granted a student studying French may make the link with the verb “tenir”, and thus make the connection that the hypo-tenuse is the “very holding/supporting” side of the triangle, or put simply, the long side. Taobhagán is a much simpler term and is self-explanatory to an Irish speaker. There is very little in the term “isosceles” that a student would understand. However, in Irish, the term “triantán comhchosach” is self-explanatory – “an equal legged triangle”.
Students who have achieved a high grade in higher-level mathematics through Irish in their Leaving Certificate and who wish to continue to study mathematics at third level will have to do so in English as there is no third-level course in mathematics through Irish. I am sure over the four years in university, these able students will pick up the few terms required to impress any future employer.
Students who studied mathematics through Irish will have the terms both in Irish and English, whereas the candidate who studied mathematics in English may not have the Irish terms. That both will be excellent mathematicians is beyond doubt.
Yours, etc,
Colm Ó hAnluain,
Avenue Belle Vue, Waterloo, Belgium.
www.irishtimes.com
Nursery proposal turned down
August 23, 2012
A development proposal for a new full-time nursery unit at Gaelscoil na Daróige in Derry has been turned down.
Education Minister, John O’Dowd says the decision to turn down the proposal was carefully considered.
“The challenge I face is not simply to create more pre-school places, but rather to ensure pre-school provision reflects the needs of the local area.
“Each development proposal must be carefully considered on the basis of all the information pertinent to the individual case. In this particular case, I am satisfied that there is already sufficient Irish- medium pre-school provision in the area,” he says.
www.derryjournal.com
An rás mallaithe
August 23, 2012
Raidió yí-há
August 22, 2012
Maths bonus points cost me college place
August 22, 2012
As a Leaving Cert student I believe that the introduction of bonus points for higher level maths has not only affected students who wish to study in the areas of science and maths, it has manipulated the entire points system.
On receiving my CAO offer, I learned that I had been denied my first choice, Law and Irish. Although I achieved 525 points in my Leaving Cert, I was out by a mere 5 points. Having worked consistently for two years I was understandably devastated, as the course had risen by a huge 30 points. However, my situation is not unusual as university courses, be it in the areas of science or even linguistics, have risen astronomically due to the new points system.
Where students should rightfully be tested on their personal skills and talents, the system is instead based on students’ abilities to retain information and perform under severe pressure in exam situations.
Having obtained an A2 in higher level Irish I feel that this should influence my suitability for my chosen course in some way. However, as a result of a lack of mathematical ability, I, along with many others, have been deprived of a course that has very little relevance to maths or science.
While it may be too late for me, I sincerely hope that Ruairí Quinn and his wise colleagues realise that the ideological decision to award 25 bonus points to all honours maths Leaving Cert pupils was unjust and unfair to many hardworking students. This system will exclude more students than it will create jobs for.
Aoife O’Connor
Dingle
Co Kerry
www.irishexaminer.com
Naíscoil na Daróige diúltaithe ag Aire Oideachais
August 22, 2012
Nuachtlitir Choláiste Feirste
August 22, 2012
Nuachtlitir Choláiste Feirste Meitheamh 2012
Dianchúrsa i Scríobh an Ghearrscéil & an Úrscéil
August 22, 2012
A bonus for mathematics students
August 21, 2012
Sir, –
Thelma Jones and Dr Orla Ní Bhroin (August 18th), both protest at the bonus for Leaving Certificate higher level mathematics. The former because she feels it “favours” those with an aptitude towards mathematics and the latter because she feels it punishes those whose strengths are in languages.
The bonus is designed to reverse a downward serious trend in applicants prepared to work on what was seen as a difficult subject. This trend was having a negative impact on skills that are essential for improving our country and our economy. In this regard the bonus appears to be working.
Perhaps your correspondents could comment on why there is still a bonus for taking the exams in Irish, a skill which is of little value to the country or the economy, other than the less than very small minority who speak it.
I suspect that most employers needing scientific or mathematic skills would find a candidate who knows the terms predominantly in Irish to be a hindrance rather than a benefit. Would it make it more difficult for for such a candidate to work abroad? Now what is the Gaeilge for calculus and trigonometry again?
– Yours, etc,
Andrew Doyle Clifden,
Lislevane, Bandon, Co Cork.
www.irishtimes.com
Gaeilge Treasure Hunt for Loughrea
August 21, 2012
