Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!bellcore!decvax!ittatc!dcdwest!sdcsvax!sdcrdcf!hplabs!qantel!lll-lcc!lll-crg!seismo!mcvax!ukc!stc!joe From: joe@stc.co.uk Newsgroups: net.nlang.celts Subject: Re: wondering about Gaelic Message-ID: <883@bute.tcom.stc.co.uk> Date: Mon, 10-Mar-86 14:02:48 EST Article-I.D.: bute.883 Posted: Mon Mar 10 14:02:48 1986 Date-Received: Sat, 15-Mar-86 22:32:24 EST References: <856@inuxd.UUCP> <3032@ut-ngp.UUCP> Reply-To: joe@stc.UUCP (Joseph M. Cunningham) Distribution: net Organization: STC Telecoms, London N11 1HB. Lines: 58 In reply to jody@inuxd.UUCP, respess@ut-ngp.UUCP The Irish Language ( Gaeilge ) IS alive and well and spoken by a small but vocal minority of the people of Ireland ( in all 32 Counties ! ) and not just by the "peasants" and "sophisticates" alluded to by John Respess. It is the native tongue of many in the West ( principally Galway ), South ( Cork & Kerry ) and North ( Donegal ) and most of the population have at least a smattering of the language. The supression of the language before the foundation of the "Free State" has been somewhat reversed by positive efforts on behalf of the country's government eg. o Irish is the country's "first language" with all official documents, signposts etc. being produced in both languages. It is however an unfortunate reflection on the country's history that most official meetings of legal and governmental bodies are held in English. o It is a compulsary curriculum subject in most schools in the Republic of Ireland. o Native speakers have their own radio station ( Radio na nGaeltachta ) and programmes on the national television & radio network, RTE ( Radio Telefis Eireann ). o The country's Industrial Development Authority encourages investment in these Gaeltacht areas. etc. Learning some of the language before comming to the Ireland is by no means essential, but it is useful for a complete appreciation of our culture. We look forward to seeing you - Cead Mile Failte !! Seosamh Mac Cuinneagain. -- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- {aivru,creed,datlog,iclbra,iclkid,idec,inset,root44,stl,ukc}!stc!joe STC Roots Rockers, Nucleus Division - iRMX 86 (*) Experts. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - The views expressed in this mail are personal and are in no way the views of, or influenced by STC Telecommunications Ltd. * iRMX is a trademark of the Intel Corporation.