Madam, - Donal Flynn (May 15th) is mistaken with regard to the purpose and effect of the Official Languages Act.
The Act does not call for artificial translation to keep a dead language apparently alive. It allows for the State providing services, according to sensible and agreed plans, to those of us who choose to do business in our first language.
This entails, among other things, that those working for the State in this area have access to the documents which guide their work in the language in which they work.
It is in that context that documents of concern to the Irish-speaking public are translated. Of course, documents first produced in Irish are also translated to English for those whom they concern who do not use Irish, by choice or otherwise. - Is mise,
AONGHUS Ó hALMHAIN, Páirc na Seilbhe, Baile an Chinnéidigh, Co Chill Mhantáin.