Nothing wrong with Irish as EU language
Nollaig 13, 2013
Regarding Barry Walsh’s reply to my letter on Irish in the EU, may I point out that the EU has 24 official languages, including not only world languages such as English, French and German, but also smaller national languages such as Irish, Latvian and Maltese.
The total EU translation budget is less than €2 per EU citizen per year for all 24 EU languages. The figure of €800m per annum covers all 24 EU languages, not just Irish. This is a budget to which Ireland contributed before Irish became an official EU language and to which we would contribute if Irish were not an official EU language. There is no saving to be had here.
A cornerstone of the European project is linguistic and cultural tolerance and diversity. Because of this EU laws are made available in all EU languages. Cases in Irish are not uncommon in the Irish courts, especially the superior courts, and EU law is often invoked in these cases. The Irish texts are not museum pieces but part of the range of this living and working European language.
Conradh na Gaeilge campaigns on an ongoing basis to improve the teaching of Irish in schools. We seek better teacher training, that another subject such as drama or sport be taught through Irish to all primary pupil on a phased basis and the normalisation of Irish outside of the class room. Sadly the EU does not have provision for giving us €800m to this end. This is a matter of nation competence.
We also campaign for an integrated language curriculum and for teaching through third languages as immersion is the most effective teaching method. We support the EU’s Mother Tongue Plus 2 Barcelona declaration.
Sadly the Department of Education seems wed to an English-only mentality, but that can change.
Finally, Irish being an official EU language has caused an increase in interest in Irish and continental languages at third level. Were the derogation to lapse this would blossom further. English is no longer enough; negativity towards Irish saps morale, and opinion based on inaccuracy is dangerous.
Julian de Spáinn
Ard-Rúnaí
Chonradh na Gaeilge
Rath Garbh, Baile Átha Cliath 2
www.irishexaminer.com
Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com 13 Nollaig 2013
Irish Examiner – Litir chuig an Eagarthóir
