Irish language

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Bilingual sign Grafton Street Dublin Ireland

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Percentage stating they speak Irish daily outside the education system in the 2011 census

Dublin airport sign in both English and Irish Gaelic languages

Irish language (Irish: Gaeilge), also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Celtic language family, indigenous to Ireland. It is spoken as a first language in substantial areas of Counties Galway, Kerry, Cork and Donegal, smaller areas of Waterford, Mayo, and Meath, and some other parts of the Republic of Ireland. It is also spoken by a larger group of habitual but non-native speakers across the country, mostly within designated Gaeltacht regions.

History

The Irish language has its roots in the Celtic languages spoken by the ancient Celts, with written evidence of the language dating back to the 4th century AD in the form of Ogham inscriptions. From the 6th century, Irish began to be written in the Latin alphabet, and it was the dominant language spoken in Ireland until the late 18th century. The language experienced a gradual decline from the 19th century onwards, particularly after the Great Famine of the 1840s, which had a devastating effect on the population.

Status

Today, Irish is recognized as the first official language of the Republic of Ireland and is an officially recognized minority language in Northern Ireland. It is also one of the official languages of the European Union. Despite its official status, the number of native Irish speakers has been in decline, although there has been a resurgence of interest in learning Irish, particularly in urban areas and among the diaspora.

Dialects

There are three main dialects of Irish, corresponding to the southern (Munster), western (Connacht), and northern (Ulster) parts of the country. Each dialect has its own distinct pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar rules. The standard written form, An Caighdeán Oifigiúil, was developed in the mid-20th century to ease communication and learning between speakers of different dialects.

Usage

Irish is used in a variety of contexts, including education, government, media, and cultural activities. Irish language television (TG4), radio stations, and newspapers are available, and there is a growing body of literature in Irish. Education in Irish is compulsory in schools in the Republic of Ireland, and there are also numerous Gaelscoil (Irish-medium schools) throughout the island.

Revival Efforts

Efforts to revive the Irish language include government policies aimed at increasing the number of speakers and improving proficiency. These efforts are supported by various organizations dedicated to promoting the language, as well as by initiatives such as Seachtain na Gaeilge (Irish Language Week) and the establishment of Gaeltacht areas where the government promotes economic development to encourage the use of Irish.

Cultural Significance

The Irish language is an integral part of Irish identity and culture, embodying the history, folklore, and music of the island. It has influenced the English spoken in Ireland, contributing many words and expressions to Hiberno-English.

Challenges

The main challenges facing the Irish language include the dominance of English, the geographical fragmentation of native-speaking areas, and the need for continued support for Irish language education and media.