20 thoughts on “They Cymru Over Here

  1. Calerz

    There are really only two options. Either take Irish seriously with an aim for national fluency or just scrap it completely… Literally if you are not going to do it properly, why bother at all

      1. Spartacus

        If you mean compulsory in schools, Welsh is a compulsory subject. It’s also very much the first language of the Welsh, and almost every organisation is bi-lingual whether or not they are legally compelled to be, as are most Welsh people.

    1. louislefronde

      You can’t compel people to speak a dead language, so stop wasting taxpayers money on this s***e!

    1. louislefronde

      + 1 Billion who actually speak English….as opposed to a couple of hundred Gaelgeoir Socialists who sponge off the taxpayer.

  2. Bluebeard

    I genuinely wonder why people want to get rid of the Irish language. I don’t know one single benefit that would come from that except the glee of some who have a profound and irrational hatred of it. I can understand people not being interested in it for themselves, thats their choice, but why they would want it to die, i just can’t fathom. I usually hear the rammed down my throat, better to learn mandarin, dead language argument,even the IRA gets invoked. But what does it say about a country when people actively campaign to get rid of something that is as culturally deep as a language.etc. In my view its about a lot more than saving money and learning mandarin.

    1. Odis

      Easy answer to that one. Make it non compulsory at schools so it has to get by on its own merit, in an educational “market” economy for the kids. That way people who want to learn it, can learn it. Whilst those that don’t, can study a subject more to their liking.

      And what’s this about “irrational hatred” – why do you assume somebody who dislikes your preferences is “irrational” or for that matter “hates” what you enjoy?

      1. Bluebeard

        I call it irrational because I think its more emotional than rational. The Irish language stirs up feelings that few other things do. A sow eating her farrow springs to mind. As to your earlier point, must everything now survive in your market economy? Whither theatre? Or Art? Or film? Or anything that cannot be measured in the cold language of money?

    2. Calerz

      If we could all speak it fluently this would not be a problem but learning it in schools with no fluency results at the end of years of teaching it is a disgrace hence why people get frustrated and want it scrapped. I would hate the option of scrapping it but something has to be done otherwise we are going around in circles…

      1. Bluebeard

        Something is happening, and its called the 20 year strategy. And no one shows up… Thats what the original post is about.I agree with your point re the teaching of it, it is a bit of a lost cause. However, despite this, its thriving in many parts of the country and with a new demographic than before. That, in my opinion, is a good thing. What i have always wondered is what is the actual reason so many people viscerally hate it.

        1. Calerz

          Thriving? Where exactly is it thriving? After spending the summer months traveling around Gaeltachts I can tell you I heard very little “as Gaeilge”

          1. Bluebeard

            I spend a lot of time in the Gaeltachts myself and only speak irish when I do. My friends would think it strange if I spoke anything else. Its sad to see that its not thriving in those areas like one would expect. However, I am heartened by the growth in universities, in cork, in dublin and in other urban areas. This happened in wales as well. Videos like those of seo linn, tg4, Radio na Life etc give me hope. Not for the Irish that was there, but for the future which will be a different irish altogether.

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