Language as a national identity

IRELAND FRO THE POLISH PERSPECTIVE

While reading his entry I had another lesson about the Irish culture. This time about one of the Celtic language that was long ago spoken by the Irish, the Gaelic. We all know by now that what determines a culture is its language as well as history. Apropos history, Ireland seems to have had a turbulent one. Not only was Ireland invaded by the Vikings, Anglo-Normans, colonized by the English and Scottish but the population was also decimated because of famines and emigration to America. (It is important to mention that ever since the famine in 1840s emigration has been a significant feature of the Irish life.) As a result it was difficult to keep the Gaelic language that was under the constant threat of other language alive. It gradually petered out. So no wonder that the language that survived was a symbol of independence and as such became an official language in Ireland. In the 19th century many language, amongst whish was the Irish language, were brought alive and modernized. However, the question remains why the attempt to establish the Gaelic as the official Irish language failed.

This HE tries to find out. It seems that the excuse is the widely-spoken English language opposite to the Irish language that is not used. According to him, Irish behave reckless towards their language and you may draw a conclusion that they also behave irresponsible towards their nationality. If this is really so, I doubt. This topic reminds me of another question; can you learn a language without any knowledge of the related culture. Definitely not. Language is a part of culture. It is formed by the culture as the culture is formed by their anticipants. Take for example the saying IT’S NOT MY CUP OF TEA. I immediately associate it with the quaint custom of drinking tea at 5 o’clock.