An bhfuil tusa ag labhairt liomsa?

GRÁINNE LOUGHRAN,
Bhuel, an bhfuil? Considering the fact that most of us were learning to speak Irish since before we’d fully mastered our “s’s”, the number of us that don’t even have basic conversational Irish is pretty appalling. We’ve got the signs on the roads and, if we’re pushed, we can say the Hail Mary to show off our Gaeilge when we’re abroad, but why is it that the number of Irish people who can actually speak Irish is declining so rapidly?

The vast majority of teenagers in Ireland today hate the subject. It’s generally dull and taught badly in both secondary and primary schools, with far too much focus on the literature and not enough on being able to talk to people. The proposal from Fine Gael to abolish compulsory Irish for the Leaving Cert has raised debate as to whether it’s really a necessary part of our education, and a growing number of us seem to be asking, really, what’s the point?

 We can’t be blamed for taking this approach. After all, the current Irish course is at best outdated and decidedly dreary, and the language itself will be of little or no use to us in the future outside of the pub on St Patrick’s Day. The problem, of course, is what should be done about it.

There are many reasons why we should just forget about the Irish language and cut our losses. It’s pointless, it’s dead, it’s boring, it’s difficult- I’m pretty sure you can work them out for yourself. However, the reasons for keeping it going are worth a look. For one thing, without our language, what vestiges of Irishness have we got left? The red hair and odd fascination with wearing socks and sandals are all very well and good, but the language is an integral part of the culture and identity of Ireland whether we like it or not. I know that when I’m away, I always feel guilty when I hear people talking to us in English, others in French and still others in German- but they all have their native tongue. All we’ve got is a second hand, dusty old language that was forced on us and is spoken almost worldwide. We have nothing to make us unique.

In my opinion, the problem isn’t with the language. The problem is with the way it’s taught in schools and the lack of relevance it has in every day society. When we leave secondary school, there’s nothing to prompt us to actually use what we’ve learned, as well as a lack of ability in the first place.

I agree with Fine Gael’s proposal to abolish compulsory Irish for the Leaving- but only on the condition that the level of Junior Cert Irish is raised. I believe that a certain standard of conversational Irish should be well within the reach of Junior Cert students, and there should definitely be an oral element to their exam. Having been learning Irish since the age of four, I think that fifteen year olds should most definitely be able to hold a conversation in the language. In this way, the course should be changed and made much more relevant to today’s society. If this was done, and a change brought about in the way the language is taught, I see no reason why Leaving Cert students would not pick it as an option. The Irish people used to fight to try to keep their native language- maybe it’s time for us to start again