Ireland: Total immersion is critical if Irish is to be rescued

[Harold Schiffman]

Forwarded From: edling at lists.sis.utsa.edu


Independent



Total immersion is critical if Irish is to be rescued



If you will it, it is no dream. Yes, an Irish- speaking Ireland -- not
exclusively Irish speaking, but bilingual -- can re-emerge. It will
require a unity of vision and willpower that has been lacking in Irish
politics these past few decades.



Over a half century ago, Israel rescued Hebrew from obscurity. It was
then a language spoken by a few thousand persons, but it is now
flourishing with around five million speakers. Hebrew's revival is
proof that Ireland can do the same with Irish.



The signs are hopeful. The incoming Taoiseach, for one, wants to see
the language flourish. Taking the order of business on behalf of the
outgoing Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny and
Labour leader Eamonn Gilmore sustained a good quarter-hour of leaders'
debate in the Dail in Irish.



Full story:

http://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/total-immersion-is-critical-if-irish-is-to-be-rescued-1346149.html




-- 
**************************************
N.b.: Listing on the lgpolicy-list is merely intended as a service to
its members
and implies neither approval, confirmation nor agreement by the owner
or sponsor of
the list as to the veracity of a message's contents. Members who
disagree with a
message are encouraged to post a rebuttal. (H. Schiffman, Moderator)
*******************************************