BRIAN O BROIN,
A chara, - I join you in praising the bluntness of Coimisiún na Gaeltachta's much-awaited report (Editorial, May 27th). The members of the commission have shown spine and vision in according criticism where it is due, particularly to government authorities, while giving stern deadlines to lapsing Gaeltachtaí.
May I express concern, however, with the continuing view of the Gaeltacht as something to be saved and preserved? It is precisely this "zoo" status that repulses native Irish speakers in the Gaeltacht, where they increasingly see themselves as reservation Indians, enumerated and prized for their exotic culture, but dismissed as irrelevant in everyday Irish life.
To "preserve" the Gaeltacht we must normalise the Irish language outside Gaeltacht boundaries, so that Irish is as acceptable in O'Connell Street as it is in Gaoth Dobhair. This means actively giving the language a use beyond that of emblem. That, in turn, requires immediate enactment of the Language Equality Bill and eradication of the "lip service" mentality.
A Language Equality Act was promised five years ago by the incoming government of the time. Will we see the "new" government demur for another five years? I challenge it to act without delay in this urgent matter. - Is mise,
BRIAN Ó BROIN,
Madison,
Wisconsin,
USA.