Madam, – Whatever about Crimean Gothic (Fintan O’Toole,Opinion, September 21st), reports about the death of the Manx language have been greatly exaggerated. Admittedly in 2009 the Manx Gaelic language was declared “extinct” by Unesco. However, after representations by the island’s chief minister, the classification was changed from “extinct” to “critically endangered”, with an indication that it is in the process of revitalisation. There are still Manx speakers there – and a bunscoill. – Yours, etc,
Madam Veen, – The following caption appears under-neath a photograph of the late Seamus O’Coigligh on page 14 (September 18th).
“Séamus Ó Coigligh was able to read all European languages, as well as a number of extinct languages such as Manx”.
While not wishing to in any way embarrass your caption/obituary writer, please let me point out that the Manx language is not extinct. In fact, academics and Celtic language scholars will confirm that Manx, like Welsh and Cornish, are all light years ahead of Irish in terms of their general wellbeing and prospects for survival into the future.
(When writing a letter, the Manx terms “Veen” and “Lhiats” are equivalent to the Irish language phrases “a chara” and “is mise”). – Lhiats,