Unionists are fed up with having the Irish language thrown in their faces at the Assembly, Stormont heard today.
The Ulster Unionist Party's David McNarry said his party rejected any nationalist attempt to smear unionists as bigots over discomfort with the use of Irish.
A Sinn Fein petition ensured today's UUP Assembly motion, requesting the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) prevent the use of Irish in the legislature, would require significant cross-community support.
It was defeated and Sinn Fein claimed today's debate had inspired scores of new Irish language learners. Mr McNarry said the debate was: "A clear definitive signal that unionists are fed up with the Irish language being thrown in their faces."
He added: "There is no demand here, just a request, no abuse of anybody's rights and I reject any attempt by any republican to smear any unionist by branding him a bigot."
Sinn Fein's Caral Ni Chuilin said today's debate had sparked scores of fresh Irish language recruits. "The issue of language rights, a non-controversial issue in Wales, Scotland, the South of Ireland and throughout Europe, an expression of human rights, has now become a political football in the battle for supremacy between the unionist parties," she said.
"The determination of unionist politicians to block any recognition of the Irish Language is a misguided and macho demonstration of anti-Irish bigotry.
"It's almost as if unionism has decided to define itself by how ferociously anti-Irish it is - pathetic."
The Democratic Unionist Nelson McCausland has likened nationalist support for the language to a cultural war.
"We want to get the divisiveness, the friction, the abrasiveness that there's been from the Irish language lobby out of this we need to restore the Irish language to part of our cultural wealth," he said.
"All minority languages, whatever they are, whether they be those of indigenous communities or ethnic communities, it makes no difference, they are all of value."
SDLP MLA Dominic Bradley
SDLP MLA Dominic Bradley said: "The message that we should be sending out from this House is that we are open to and facilitate diversity - and not that we are narrow minded bigots who cannot share our own cultural traditions.
"If we cannot accommodate our own traditions here, what chance have we of embracing a wider diversity?"
Sinn Fein's Francie Brolly said Mr McNarry's name had Irish roots.
"It isn't proper either for people in this house or outside it to show disrespect for the Irish language, Irish speakers or supporters of the Irish language," he said.
Alliance Party MLA Stephen Farry greeted members in unpractised and light-hearted Irish. "This motion is completely unnecessary. The people of Northern Ireland are wondering why we are discussing this issue when we have so many other pressing priorities," he said.
"Does a knock-about over an issue regarding symbols really add to the credit of this Assembly? I think not."
OFMDFM Junior Minister Gerry Kelly opened his address by speaking in Ulster/Scots - to a rather flat response from the house.
He also spoke in Irish, translating his comments but prompting Mr McNarry to indicate that he was sickened by the practice.
Mr Kelly said it was convention that any statements made in a language other than English is translated fully and accurately by the member immediately following a contribution. He added the use of Irish or Ulster/Scots in correspondence was a matter for each minister.