Sir, – We are subjected to propaganda from both sides on the value or otherwise of the Irish language. Those against cite the fact that after almost 100 years of self-government, we have less native speakers than ever. They say the amount of money and time “wasted” on a dead language would be better spent on learning some of the great commercial tongues of the world, thus equipping our young people for their inevitable travels in search of work.
They also cite the way Irish was “killed” by the brutalist methods used to inculcate it, and the negative associations created in many children as a result.
On the other side, the advocates of a full restoration of the language claim that it is something precious, something that is so valuable that to let it die would be a crime against history.
As someone somewhere in between the two positions, I think the first thing to do is an evaluation of the people’s opinion on the subject. Seeing that successive governments have fought shy of such an exercise, a hot potato if ever there was one, why not let them use their favourite cop-out?
Let us have a referendum on the issue. If a majority vote no to the language, let it fade away naturally. Do not resuscitate. If the yes side triumphs, then let us re-invigorate it with love and enthusiasm. – Yours, etc,
ANDY JONES,
Mullagh,
Co Cavan.