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Keaveney's cupla focail
with Bishop
19.05.08
INISHOWEN Senator
Cecilia Keaveney has given the thumbs up to comedian
Des Bishop's campaign to get more Irish people
speaking Irish.
Keaveney met Bishop last week during his visit to
meet politicians at Leinster House following his 'In
the Name of the Fada' series for RTE. |
"Last week I returned
to French classes and, despite the fact that it is
over 20 years since I learned French, I was able to
get by for over an hour with virtually no English
spoken. I am not sure that I could do the same in my
own national language," said Senator Keaveney.
She said the Irish-American comedian had some good
ideas about making Irish more accessible.
"As Des Bishop said today, he is fluent in Irish.
That may not be perfect Irish grammatically but he
can be easily understood and can hold a |
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conversation. He cannot
write Irish well at all, he says.
"However, his ability to speak and communicate is
surely the point we want to get for all within our
communities."
She said purists might not like the idea of
"sacrificing grammar or linguistic perfection" but
she said it was worse to let the native language
disappear altogether.
"The point also raised by Des Bishop - that there
could be a separate subject that would be Irish
literature - which would support those who wish to
deepen their understanding of the language, is very
worthy of debate.
"He has given the language a great lift. His
programmes have helped make more trendy, the
speaking of Irish. Schools are working at this
obviously too. However, we need to ensure that as
new methods come on stream that we look to best
practice and follow them, with the support in terms
of policy, guidance and training for our teachers."
Meanwhile, the former music teacher said she looked
forward to hearing the new Minister for Education,
Batt O Keefe, T.D. speak on the language issue.
"Meantime, I commend the new Taoiseach on his
prioritising of Irish and the wider Irish culture in
all of his initial speeches." |
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