A chara, - Your recent Editorial "A vote for Irish" was welcome. However, it would have more pertinently made the point that we should endeavour to use some of our Irish had part of it, at least, been "as Gaeilge". In times past, the use of the Irish language has been hindered by an all-or-nothing attitude, with insufficient tolerance being allowed for the cupla focal in the course of the normal working or living day. In the Letters column of this newspaper I have previously sought to highlight the failure of the banks to issue cheque/credit cards and cheque books bearing names with full Gaelic accents. Despite these businesses being awash with money, little has changed.
There is, of course, a distinct difference between the use of Irish by native speakers of the Gaeltacht and by the residents of the Galltacht. The first usage is spontaneous, whether in relation to instructing a sheepdog or discussing computer procedures, taking full advantage of the directness that a clipped Gaelic syntax permits. In the second instance, the use of Irish is a result of a conscious, elective act, with English remaining the language of work or activity requiring precise expression.
Conversationally speaking, I find that native speakers cannot wait for the occasional speakers to catch up. It seems, therefore, that the continued decline in the numbers of native speakers will not be slowed by the emergence of additional part-time or occasional speakers in the Galltacht. The question is: can the decline in the numbers of native speakers - the living core of Gaelic culture - be checked?
This seems an appropriate question to pose, at the time of coming into office of the new Udaras na Gaeltacht. The members of this newly elected board should be asking: "Are the present policies correct or adequate?" It should also ask whether the Udaras itself, since its initiation, has had a beneficial effect on the use of Irish within its area of care.
At present, the Donegal Gaeltacht is being undermined by the increase in English-speaking families moving into the area. These families often become the tenants of houses whose former occupants were native Irish speakers. Has the Udaras developed any policies designed to address this challenge to the native language? It seems only a matter of a short time before this development will undermine the Donegal Gaeltacht from within, exerting pressure to dilute the use of Irish in local schools and churches and other communal activities. I fear that this development, unless turned to positive effect, will result in the eventual death of the Donegal Gaeltacht. It is surely ironic that if a rare form of earthworm or beetle was found in Gaeltacht land, it could be assured of more positive Government protection than a rare and valuable cultural resource such as the Irish language.
At present the payment of housing grants in the area designated Gaeltacht is related to full-time residency and proficiency in the use of Irish. I believe this policy to be outdated, and to be part of the now discredited "all or nothing" philosophy, as through it no encouragement or pressure is being exerted towards integrating incomers into the Gaeltacht community.
Should not special language courses and other support be organised for these new families, and imaginative forms of financial incentives put in place to encourage the new families to take on the Irish language? In this way, these families could become the new blood of the threatened Gaeltacht areas, bringing new vitality to an old culture. - Is mise,
Liam O Geibheannaigh, Ath an Ghainimh, Co Atha Cliath.