Ireland pushes Gaelic on maps and placenames.

[Cascadian]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20050329/lf_afp/afplifestyleireland_050329165423

The Irish government has passed a law to call for Gaelic on maps and it's use in placenames. I think it's a wonderful idea. It's about time! I honestly think the Irish government did not do enough to push the Gaelic language since independence. In fact the whole country should have become a "Gaeltacht". Gaelic is the true Irish language NOT English!



John

[REP]

1. Cenadl Heb Iaith, Cenadl Heb Garon

Motto of my mother country, where they refused to let the Saesneg kill their language.

[xchrom]

2. no argument here.

native tongues are the real crucibles for a peoples heritage and history.
it can't be replaced with another --

[Dutch]

3. Ireland has two languages which should flourish alongside each other

I think this is a good move and the Irish governemnt should do more to promote the Gaelic language, but I'm wary of comments such as yours about the place of the English language within Irish culture- after all, many Irish do not directly originate from Gaelic speakers (not just talking about Northern Unionists, although obviously they would be included), and the the Irish have made an immeasurable contribution to English language and literature (Wilde, Behan, Heaney etc). The 'true' language of a nation is whatever is spoken by its people, and Ireland has an incredible heritage in its two languages of which it can be immensely proud.