Reawakening the Irish Language through the Irish Education System: Challenges and Priorities

As a language, Irish is unique to Ireland and is, therefore, of crucial importance to the identity of the Irish people, to Irish culture and to world heritage. The Irish language however has had a turbulent and traumatic history and has endured a complex and varied relationship with the Irish people...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International electronic journal of elementary education 2015-12, Vol.8 (2), p.179-198
Main Authors: Ceallaigh, T J Ó, Dhonnabháin, Áine Ní
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Barriers
British culture
Cultural heritage
Culture
Elementary Secondary Education
English
Federal Legislation
Foreign Countries
Government School Relationship
Heritage Education
History
Identity
Immersion education
Immersion Programs
Ireland
Irish
Language Attitudes
Language Maintenance
Language of Instruction
Language Planning
Language policy
Language Role
Linguistics
National identity
Native Language Instruction
Official Languages
Political Influences
Population
Post primary education
Preschool Education
Primary Education
Second Language Instruction
Second Language Learning
Self Concept
Society
The Irish Education System
The Irish language
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Summary:As a language, Irish is unique to Ireland and is, therefore, of crucial importance to the identity of the Irish people, to Irish culture and to world heritage. The Irish language however has had a turbulent and traumatic history and has endured a complex and varied relationship with the Irish people. Since the foundation of the Irish Free State, the education system has been targeted as an agency and model for Irish language planning, education and language revitalisation and has had a critical role in generating linguistic ability in the Irish language. This paper reviews the complex and controversial relationship between the Irish language, the State and the education system from an historical perspective. Some key acts of recent legislation and government initiatives, which impact on the status of the Irish language are considered and barriers and challenges to progress in the education system are outlined. The paper concludes with a discussion on significant positive factors which may revolutionise and reawaken the Irish language through our education system.
ISSN:1307-9298
1307-9298