A chara, - I welcome Fintan O'Toole's defence of Teilifis na Gaeilge. However I feel his argument that it is for a minority must not go unchallenged.
He tells us that in every census and survey "a very large proportion of the population tells lies about Irish" i.e., claim more knowledge of the language than they actually have. Later, Mr O'Toole gives us his opinion that "a majority of people in Ireland can't speak the language, have no interest in the language and have not the slightest intention of ever learning it."
Ergo, a large number of people in Ireland with absolutely no interest in the language act in a manner favourable to Irish when questioned as to their knowledge of, or interest in it. Since the quantifiable facts contradict Fintan's opinion I'm sure he himself will concede his error.
Teilifis na Gaeilge is not a station for a linguistic minority, it is a station for a nation - a very complex and diverse nation. I myself am acquainted with working class monoglot unionists in Belfast who are in favour of Teilifis na Gaeilge and I also know of people who are native speakers and living in the Gaeltacht who think the money would be better spent on roads. I also have many inquiries from Irish Americans who are fluent Irish speakers and also others who wish to learn the language and for whom we provide classes in An Taibhdhearc given by a teacher who was born and raised in England.
I have no doubt that the Irish language can be a source of discomfort for those Irish people writing in English. Almost all of our great writers have had to grapple with the fact that, as Ellman wrote of Joyce "English was not, strictly speaking his native tongue", hence Finnegans Wake, hence The Playboy. hence en Altentant Godot, hence Translations.
In a world where political and economic independence no longer exist and where English language cultural values are every day eroding cultural independence, the term "Irish" is in danger of becoming as misused and irrelevant as "Celtic" is today.
Teilifis na Gaeilge must not be seen as a ghettoised service for a minority, rather it must be seen as part of a general revival of the Irish language.
The earliest anti Irish language edicts recorded date from the 14th century; by the 17th century the country was still largely Irish speaking. In the 20th century it most certainly is not widely spoken.
Rather than blame our colonisers, let us learn from them that linguistic change takes time, endurance and above all "tenacity of purpose". - Is mise le meas,
Artistic Director,
Taibhdhearc na Gaillimhe,
Gaillimh.