The Mini-Revival of the Irish Language
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There seems to be a general perception that
Ireland's national language is perpetually on its last legs. But according to
Ireland's Higher Education Authority, the number of students studying Irish at
the college level is not only very healthy, but has been described as enjoying
a "mini-revival." There are many possible reasons for the resurgence
of interest in the Irish language. Some point to the steady rise of
Irish-language preschool and primary education since the 1970s, which may now
be contributing to an increased demand for Irish-language courses at the
college level. Others suggest that innovative programs at universities and
colleges have revolutionized the way in which students relate to languages. On
the international front, the Fulbright Commission Ireland, which sponsors
student and teacher exchange programs between the U.S. and Ireland, has been
growing steadily since 2006. Currently, it has links to around 50 college-level
U.S. institutions and 90 community organizations involved with teaching and
promoting Irish. Liam Mac Mathúna, emeritus professor of Irish at University
College Dublin and editor of Irish studies magazine Éigse, points to the
development of postgraduate research and international interest in languages as
contributing factors in the rise of Irish studies. Mathúna says two other
factors include the Official Languages Act of 2003 and the fact that Irish is
now one of the official working languages of the EU. "The reason why
people are so interested [in studying Irish] is that they're realizing there's
a difference between the curriculum that's in the schools and what the language
actually is," says Oisín Ó Doinn, who is working on a PhD on the use of
technology in teaching Irish. "I'm always surprised at people going, 'Why
would anyone want to learn Irish?' My question would be, 'Why would they
not?'"
From "The Mini-Revival of the Irish
Language"
Irish Times (Ireland) (04/27/15) Wallace,
Arminta