The DUP Culture Minister, Edwin Poots, is due to make a statement, possibly ditching the Irish language Act.

The Irish language is one of the oldest literary languages in Europe, and is spoken GLOBALLY by thousands. The only reason Edwin Poots dropped it was because of his own personal vendetta, which is why he is stepping down from the post to move onto the back bench. Gaeilge has been a massive help in my life, socially, personally, and (sounds cheesy, but it's true), spiritually.

The DUP have no respect for that and feel that their Ulster Scots dialect is worth the same. What also annoys me is Sinn Féin's using it as a weapon They're down on the polls along with the DUP and they've got themselves in a twist about it. I feel it's important that Gaeilge be made an official language.

For those of you who say it is pointless - you have no idea how many jobs have come from it and it's impact on economy, music, film and literature. All I ask is that you do research. This is a language, not a weapon or something for unionist people to laugh at.

Only three months ago, myself and a friend from the -Shankill Road- were singing in Gaelic; she's the most open minded person I've met and this state would be a thousands times better if everyone would throw their prejudices aside. Only LAST NIGHT was one of the leading clergymen from the Church of Ireland (Protestant) presenting a TV show on this island's Gaelic TV channel TG4. He is fluent in Gaelic and plays Irish Traditional flute and also lectures on music from unionist and Irish backgrounds.

The Irish language act IS important. There are roughly 30 Irish medium primary schools in Belfast alone, I went to one of them. There are only two secondary schools. Gaelic is my first language, and in terms of recent cases in the media... if I ever had to go before I judge, I wouldn't consider Béarla na galltachta satisfactory.

Go mbeannaigh Dia ar dteanga agus daoine na hEireann, go hairithe Tuaisceart na tire

Ah, but I don't think Ulster Scots or Gaelic are Cultivating peoples potentials in Northern Ireland. I don't think they develop us spiritually. I think they are yet another way to divide us. Do you think the government is right to be paying money to translate things into a language that is merely used to annoy "the other side". I don't call that culture.

Languages can be cultural within a cultural and educational context or in heritage, other than that they are just political weapons.

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Quoting: Edward anon I think I can safely say that everyone in Northern Ireland can speak English and if they can't, it would be most advisable for them to try to learn it. (If I lived in France I would try to learn French) It seems that you are right edward. If you were in, whatever country, you'd to learn that language. Cos it is the official one. But that is not enough reason to learn a language. All the cultures are also part of the language. When you look at the terminology of the culture, it says, cultre aims to cultivate the human being to do their human potentialities. This is the must for human beings. And when you look at other countries you can see lots of other stuff as well, people are afraid of languages. They do not want another language/languages to be spoken in their country. This can either be the economy problem as you have mentioned, or a threat for the independence of the country. But to what extent economy can be an issue in this? I honestly, do not agree with you on the translation process, Edward. The governments can find solution to make it cheaper, if that is really the case. I guess people do not want another language because of a so-called threat to the independence. We should not be afraid of languages, we should let everybody talk in their own languages, do the cultural activities. Then, the world will be a livable place; since people will get the opportunity to cultivate their souls.
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Edward	Posted: Sat 13 Oct, 2007 8:35 PM      Post subject: RE: Irish Language Act Sometimes people forget how wasteful it can be having all these official languages. I'm not just talking about Irish - Ulster Scots is as bad (if not worse) I think I can safely say that everyone in Northern Ireland can speak English and if they can't, it would be most advisable for them to try to learn it. (If I lived in France I would try to learn French) An important thing to remember is that when leaflets in Northern Ireland need to be printed in 4 languages (Check out some of the water charges leaflets) this means a lot of time and money is spent in the transalation process. Seeing as the people these transalated versions are aimed at speak English, then it makes it rather pointless. I understand these languages are an important part of culture, but maybe we should keep it within reason and stop having them officially recognised just to make a point against the opposition. Plus, am I the only person that finds Ulster Scots hilarious? Here is my favourite example: English: This leaflet is about introducing domestic water and sewerage charges. It is available in a range of languages on our website at www.waterchargesni.gov.uk. If you would like this information in a different language or format please write to: Ulster Scots: This leaflet bes aboot the bringin' in o' chairges fer hooshauld watter an' sewerage. Hit can bae gat i a wheen o' differ leids oan oor wabsteid aa www.waterchargesni.gov.uk. Gif ye're wantin' thae wittens i a differ leid ir format get oantae: I completely cracked up reading that. Why bother with a translator when you can just phonetically type out what someone says in a thick accent?
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Orla Meadhbh Murray	Posted: Tue 09 Oct, 2007 8:31 PM      Post subject: RE: Irish Language Act Thanks, yes I do believe that sometime in the future, hopefully the near future, the Irish language can be something that is celebrated by both sides of the community, and regarded as what it is; a language, not a weapon to provoke 'the other side'. And I shall check out that interview lol :D
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Paul Smyth	Posted: Tue 09 Oct, 2007 8:27 PM      Post subject: RE: Irish Language Act Good points Orla - you might be interested in our latest interview - with the Basque Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport. She used to be a Professor of the Basque Language, as they have been really successful at reviving their language (repressed under Franco) to the level where 60% of young people there now speak Basque. Do you think we can get Irish to the point where it is no longer a political football?
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Orla Meadhbh Murray	Posted: Tue 09 Oct, 2007 7:09 PM      Post subject: RE: Irish Language Act I think it is an important act to pass, as whether or not people wish to take advantage of learning Irish they should have the facilities and ability to do so. Also it would be a travesty if this bill was not passed, merely because sections of the community disagreed with the political ramifications of supporting something which is seen as 'too Irish' or a solely Republican or Nationalist venture, as this bill not only promotes learning Irish, which is a language in decline and therefore needs to be protected by legislation such as this, but also because learning languages is something our education system and indeed our society lacks and doesn't promote enough.
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Christopher Madden	Posted: Mon 08 Oct, 2007 7:11 PM      Post subject: RE: Irish Language Act I personally do not like when the Sinn Fein MLA's soeak in Irish as I can't understand it and neither can most people in the province. However it is part of our culture and they have a right to speak whatever language they want and I am sure if the Irish Language Act is ditched then they won't be too pleased but Iw on't really care
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