Sir, - Deaglan de Breadun (January 22nd) reports on the "double-speak" revealed by the results of a survey of bilingualism in the state sector, something which is hardly surprising. The term "bilingual" has, of course, no single meaning and can be applied.. to anyone having even a very limited knowledge of a second language. However, the vast majority, of Irish people with some knowledge of "the first national language" are not really conscious of the huge gap there is between their levels in English and in do not realise the amount of time and effort that would be required to bridge that gap, even under favourable conditions, which are unlikely ever to arise.
Why use Irish? Apart from the case of the few remaining native speakers communicating among themselves, using Irish can only be an ideological or intellectual exercise. Just like an electric curb rent, people are inclined to take "the path of least resistance which is the use of English rather than of Irish in Ireland. (Here in
France, whenever I speak to my children in English, they reply in French, which is perfectly efficient and involves less effort for them. Obviously, they wouldn't speak French to someone unable to understand them.)
Even in communication with native speakers, English is generally the more natural choice, given their level in English, which is far more advanced than that of their interlocutors, no matter how enthusiastic they may be about using Irish. Being used to choosing a language according to its efficiency in a given context, I find it rather painful to listen to people on Raidio na Gaeltachta whose first language is so obviously English.
Unfortunate as it is from the point of view of cultural diversity, trying to promote real bilingualism in Ireland - such as that found in the Netherlands, Denmark, Finland etc. - is akin to flogging a dead horse. - Yours etc.,
Av. Coriolis 31057 Toulouse, France