To whom it may concern,
I am intrigued by Mr. O’Donovan’s recent remarks about Ireland’s dual language signage (October 28 Letters). I am curious if he will find it challenging to comprehend the content of my letter, or whether the message would have been more transparent if written in a different font.
The DBS has been mandated to compensate a dismissed lecturer with €53,000 after he accessed the college email system while in Iran.
A €2.5 million tax rebate coupled with a neglected business agreement remains the cause of Derek Quinlan’s prolonged bankruptcy due to his questionable behaviour.
The once touted ‘safe haven’ for Syrian refugees by Ireland now resembles a war zone as the refugees were abandoned in Lebanon.
My unconventional habit of working early mornings – starting at 4.30 am, played a significant role in me obtaining 9H1s in the Leaving Certificate.
I must add that Andrew O’Donovan does not seem to appreciate the vernacular to any appreciable degree. He supports what he brands as the “modest existence of the Irish language in our culture” while criticising what he calls the “disorder of bilingualism” and views the Official Languages Act as a bothersome obstruction.
Consider that Ireland is a part of Europe, and the European Union is indeed a chaotic mix of languages, with more than half the citizens being bilingual. Moreover, more than a quarter of the population speaks three languages, and 10% can converse in a fourth language.
Ireland has a clear choice of embracing the dominant Anglo-centric culture and language, but instead, Ireland cherishes linguistic diversity, which is one of its great strengths. The Irish, due to their exposure to multiple languages from an early age – starting with Irish, possess better language skills compared to other English speakers. This extensive linguistic diversity in the public sphere is common and expected in Ireland and should be valued and nurtured.
Yours faithfully,
Ciarán Mac Guill,
Clichy,
France.
Dear Sir, – Andrew O’Donovan has voiced an issue with the promotion of the Irish language. Yet, surprisingly, no complaints arise when promoting English, despite its omnipresence. Ignoring Irish is effortless, whilst English presents itself in almost every corner of the world. Take India for example, where the British Council sports four distinct offices, all vigorously promoting English. To their effort, I wish them well! A recent trend in India indicates numerous esteemed newspapers, erstwhile strongholds of English, now issuing versions in local dialects – a move that should have materialised from the outset, indeed. Roughly 40 million people in India read newspapers in English – an impressive number until you contrast it with the 468 million who read regional languages – this fact brightens my mood.
In this nation, Irish is the oldest language and deserves the level of reverence that Andrew O’Donovan would undoubtedly extend towards the elderly. However, comparing Irish to the elderly may not be entirely accurate. Even though Irish is the eldest language, it brims with youthfulness and bears a unique literary and cultural strength that fiercely insists on persisting. Does Irish have no right to assert its presence, both domestically and globally? Or to quote Joyce, are we to regard Ireland as the “old sow that eats her farrow”? – Yours, with sincerity,
GABRIEL ROSENSTOCK,
Monkstown,
Co Dublin.
Dear Sir, – I am currently studying Irish as a mature scholar and admire the growing implementation of Irish in official circumstances. – Yours, sincerely,
PAULA KANE KELLY,
Dublin 6W.