A chara, - One cannot deny that recent grades in the Irish Junior Cert suggest a decline in the Irish language and the reasons for this need to be investigated. But Kevin Myers suggests that we should resign ourselves to this fact and let our native language dwindle away into non-existence. Does he, by the same token, believe that if there is a decline in attendance rates to our museums or heritage sites, that we should do likewise?
This defeatist attitude to the language only speeds any decline that there may be. The fact is that most Irish people would like to be able to speak Irish but are not prepared to make the effort. If all primary education were to be conducted through the medium of the Irish language, would this not ensure an effortless transition resulting in a new bilingual generation within a few years?
Personally I am not concerned whether Mr Myers learns to speak Irish or not. What is worrying about such attitudes in print is that there is a possibility that it might influence some readers who may be weak-minded enough to succumb to this apathetic viewpoint. More facts and fewer personal opinions might serve him and his readership better. Mo naire thu, a Chaoimhin. - Is mise,
Trevor Murray, Glas Tuathail, Baile Atha Cliath.
PS: The Irish Times does itself proud by regularly printing articles in Irish. This is one reason why some readers prefer it to other newspapers.