Irish Language Gains Official European Union Status

Bhuel, cé a shílfeadh go mbeadh teanga a gcaitheadh drochmheas uirthi, a gcuireadh mallacht uirthi agus a bhí coiscthe ar a cuid cainteoirí, ina teanga oifigiúil den Aontas Eorpach?

(Translation: "Well, who would think that a language, which was scorned, cursed, and forbidden for its speakers, would be an official language of the European Union?")

The Irish language has been given official status in Europe, taking its
place as the 23rd language of the European Union. The move yesterday received curiously little attention in the Republic of Ireland, given that the language has at times been regarded as a semi-mystical part of the national identity.

Irish has so far been accorded the status of a treaty language, which means it has been regarded as an authentic text for treaties. As from 1 January, however, all key EU legislation will be translated into Irish, with provisions put in place so that Irish can be spoken at council meetings.

The possibility of further extending the use of Irish will be formally reviewed in several years time.

The language is widely spoken in the Irish Republic, partly because it retains its traditional status as a compulsory part of the school curriculum. While the Irish have a strong streak of internationalism, the language, though it has had its ups and downs, is a familiar part of life. This does not suit all school pupils, however, since Irish is a difficult language to learn.

A census in 2002 indicated that 40 per cent of the population can speak Irish, with more than a quarter claiming to do so on a daily basis. A small number of people, especially in the west of the country, regard it as their first language while thousands of children attend schools where they are taught in Irish.