[lg policy] Irish language signs would ‘further dissuade unionists’ from studying at Ulster University, claim Young Unionists

Sat Nov 24 16:10:17 UTC 2018

Irish language signs would ‘further dissuade unionists’ from studying at
Ulster University, claim Young Unionists
[image: Ulster University's Magee campus in Londonderry]
Ulster University's Magee campus in Londonderry
Published: 17:42 Thursday 22 November 2018
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The Young Unionists – the youth wing of the UUP – have voiced their
opposition to proposals for the erection of Irish language signs at Ulster
University, branding the move a “political stunt” that will “further
dissuade unionists” from studying there.

A new bilingual signage policy which includes Irish language was approved
by Ulster University Students’ Union (UUSU) earlier this week.

The motion agreed by the UUSU Council resolved that “the Students’ Union
provides for bilingual signage on all directional, facilitating and
welcoming signs in the Students’ Union to replace existing signage over
time. And that UUSU executive lobbies the University authorities for Irish
language signage on all four campuses (Belfast, Jordanstown, Coleraine and
Magee).”

While the move has been welcomed by many Irish speakers as “a positive step
forward”, the chairman of the Young Unionists has voiced concerns that the
erection of Irish language signs would introduce “a hierarchy of equality”
at the university.

“The Young Unionists oppose this (the UUSU decision) for two main reasons.
Firstly, it creates a hierarchy of equality that suggests that Irish is
more important than all the other languages spoken at the University,
including – but not limited to – Mandarin, Polish, Portuguese and
Ulster-Scots,” Joshua Lowry said.

“Secondly, this political stunt has nothing to do with promoting the use of
the Irish language and everything to do with attempting to make the
university a cold house for unionists, and others who do not support the
republican agenda in the university.

“We feel that this will create an unwelcoming atmosphere at the university,
and will further dissuade unionists from choosing to attend Ulster
University.”

Mr Lowry continued: “Irish language signs were taken down from Queen’s
University Belfast in 1997 because the Fair Employment Commission concluded
at the time that it created a ‘chill factor’ amongst Protestant students,
did not in any way ‘spread… the use of the Irish language’ and was just
being used as an excuse for ‘tokenism’.

“We have written to the Vice Chancellor of Ulster University to ask that
the same logic be applied, or we will be forced to report the matter to the
Equality Commission.

“Ulster University has a responsibility to staff and students to ensure
that it provides equality to all, and that it is a safe space for open and
respectful learning and debate. It would be sheer folly to allow this
university to turn into one that values one community over another.”

Responding to Mr Lowry’s allegation that the UUSU Council’s decision was a
political stunt designed to make the university a cold house for unionists,
a union spokesperson said: “UUSU is committed to upholding the spirit of
good relations in all aspects of its activity, including in facilitating
healthy debate. The motion in question was put forward by a member of the
Students’ Union Council, which is a diverse body made up of students from a
range of communities and backgrounds and was subsequently passed.

“As with all policy mandated by the Students’ Union Council, implementation
will be subject to further discussion with the university, and in
consultation with the wider student body and other relevant stakeholders.

“UUSU welcomes all of our members to get involved with our democratic
structures and to shape the work that we undertake in representing the
student voice at Ulster University.”
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Speaking to the News Letter on Wednesday, TUV leader Jim Allister branded
the UUSU Council’s move “utterly unnecessary” and claimed it was “clearly
motivated by the intent to make the university a cold house for unionists
and Protestants.”

However, Sinn Féin senator Niall Ó Donnghaile welcomed the decision,
saying: “It’s important that we continue to promote and increase the
visibility of the Irish language; linguistic diversity, representing and
reflecting languages, not least indigenous languages, are positive economic
and social drivers.

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 Harold F. Schiffman

Professor Emeritus of
 Dravidian Linguistics and Culture
Dept. of South Asia Studies
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6305

Phone:  (215) 898-7475
Fax:  (215) 573-2138

Email:  haroldfs at gmail.com
http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/~haroldfs/

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