Big Think

Tracie Holladay on March 14, 2008, 7:00 PM

Well, the first thing that is attacked when one culture invades another is the language. It happened here in the US, when Europeans outlawed Native tongues. It's been this way for ages.

Keep up the Irish, Paul. Erin Go Braugh.

Tracie Holladay on March 14, 2008, 11:00 PM

Well, the first thing that is attacked when one culture invades another is the language. It happened here in the US, when Europeans outlawed Native tongues. It’s been this way for ages.

Keep up the Irish, Paul. Erin Go Braugh.

Brendan Phelan on March 17, 2008, 4:33 AM

It%u2019s very true that the state and status of the Irish language today is more of a political and academic issue that it is a truly cultural one. This attitude to the language by Irish people themselves has done more damage than any foreign invaders. We have lost the sense that it is our means of expression; our storytelling tool.

Imagine if you were to take Film out of American culture. You would loose that means of expression; that storytelling tool. You would loose that treasure trove of culture. Imagine if 20 years from now no one knew who Bogart or Scorsese was. So it has been with the loss of our language.

Politically and academically inspired revivals have failed in the past; maybe its time for a truly cultural one. Inspire people. Show them how they can only gain from having a second language. One that speaks directly to them, and about them, as Irish people.

Brendan Phelan on March 17, 2008, 8:33 AM

It%u2019s very true that the state and status of the Irish language today is more of a political and academic issue that it is a truly cultural one. This attitude to the language by Irish people themselves has done more damage than any foreign invaders. We have lost the sense that it is our means of expression; our storytelling tool.

Imagine if you were to take Film out of American culture. You would loose that means of expression; that storytelling tool. You would loose that treasure trove of culture. Imagine if 20 years from now no one knew who Bogart or Scorsese was. So it has been with the loss of our language.

Politically and academically inspired revivals have failed in the past; maybe its time for a truly cultural one. Inspire people. Show them how they can only gain from having a second language. One that speaks directly to them, and about them, as Irish people.