This is a past event
AHRC Centre for Irish and Scottish Studies
A Bilingual Strategy for the Irish Language? Implementation and Outcomes
Themes
- Bilingualism
- Education
- Adult Learners
- People and Institutions
- Language Organisations
- Research Basis
- Údarás na Gaeilge
- Policy
- Northern Ireland
- Scottish Gaelic
Confirmed Speakers (as of 5 August 2010)
François Grin, University of Geneva Joseph Lo Bianco (via satellite?), University of MelbourneConchur Ó Giollagáin,National University of Ireland, GalwaySeosamh Mac Donnacha,National University of Ireland, Galway'The Role of Capacity Building in Implementing the 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language.'Janet Muller, POBAL,and Dónall Ó Baoill,‘POBAL’s 20 Year Strategy Proposal for Irish in Northern Ireland’Helen Ó Murchú,Chair, Comhdháil Náisiúnta na GaeilgeSeán Ó Cuirreáin, Irish Language Commissioner+ colleague?Aodán Mac Póilin,ULTACH TrustDónall Ó Riagáin, Independent Lanuage Consultant, NaasLiam Ó Cuinneagáin, Oideas Gael, Gleann Cholm Cille
Ireland and Scotland
John Walsh, National University of Ireland, Galwayand Wilson McLeod, University of EdinburghGordon McCoy, ULTACH Trust
Scottish Gaelic
Rob Dunbar (Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Board of Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Board of BBC Alba) ‘Bilingualism and Policy’ Kenneth MacKinnon (University of Aberdeen; also Board of Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Board of BBC Alba)Tim Armstrong (Sabhal Mòr Ostaig)
Part 2: A New Policy and Strategy for Scots?
Report from the Ministerial Advisory Group on Scots (chair J. Derrick McClure)(by members of the group)John KirkAndy Eagle (Scots-Online, Bielefeld) Other confirmed participantsMaolcholaim Scott, ColmcilleAlasdair MacKinnon, Colmcille
Draft Programme
Sunday 19 September: arrivals (own arrangements)
Monday 20 September (PFC211)
AM: Section 1PM: Section 2The 20-year StrategyGovernment and its Agencies The Gaeltacht and its Agencies Applications
Evening Reception and Meal (South Dining Hall): Speakers invited: Pat Carey, T.D., Nelson McCausland, MLA, Mike Russell, MSP
Tuesday 21 September (PFC211)
AM: Section 3Constituency 3: Researchers and Scholars on IrishConstituency 4: Researchers and Scholars on Scottish Gaelic
PM: Section 4Constituency 5: Researchers and Scholars on ScotsBusiness Session: Reports?End of ‘Language & Politics’ series
Speakers invited but from whom commitment is awaited
Government and its Agencies and Applications
Déaglán Ó Briain, Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, DublinBertí Ó hAinmhire, Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, GalwayPádraig Ó hAoláin, Údarás na Gaeltacha Ferdie Mac AnFhailigh, Foras na GaeilgeArthur Scott, Gareth Bannon, Kevin Hamill, Mandy Evans, DCAL Linguistic Diversity Unit
The Gaeltacht and its Agencies and Applications
Peader Ó Flatharta, Adelaide Nic Chárthaigh, FIONTAR Report Team
Researchers and Scholars on Irish
Seán Ó LeidhinPádraig Ó Laighin
Researchers and Scholars on Scottish Gaelic
Peader Morgan (Language Planning Manager, BnaG)Annie MacSween (Lews Castle College; also Board of Bòrd na Gàidhlig)Wilson McLeod (University of Edinburgh)Alasdair MacCaluim (The Scottish Parliament)Agnes Rennie (former Board, Bòrd na Gàidhlig)Gillian Munro (Sabhal Mòr Ostaig)Niall Ó Gallagher (BBC Alba)Peter Mackay (BBC Scotland)Torquil Crichton (Journalist, The Daily Record)Murdo MacLeod (Journalist, The Scotsman)
Researchers and Scholars on Scots
Members of Ministerial Advisory Group on ScotsJohn Corbett Prospectus
A Bilingual Strategy for the Irish Language? Implementation and Outcomes
In this symposium, we wish to consider the bi- and multi-lingual aspect of the 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language . In a nutshell, we wish to ask what it means to be ‘bilingual’ in Ireland, and what the role of policy and education to this end is supposed to be? And what wider concepts and experience need to be considered for implementing the Strategy?
Bilingualism
Repeatedly, throughout the Strategy draft, the notion of bilingualism is raised, but is it a policy for bilingualism which lies behind the Strategy, and if so what is that Policy? In the context of the Strategy, what does it mean to be bilingual? If a truly bilingual Ireland is to be achieved, what are the key elements needed to bring it about? The Strategy may be a springboard for bilingualism, but it isn’t a mission statement as there are many implications not spelled out, and many weak links. Besides, we will publish an edited volume of papers by Christmas – so far, despite discussion, we know of only one published response to the Strategy.
Education
In the strategy, much emphasis is placed on education. But how will all the resources which will be needed come from and be paid for, and where does education fit in? What is being done for teacher training? How is ‘school Irish’ to become communicative skills for and in a bilingual Ireland? Is education expected to deliver the target on its own? And how are educational methods to differ from those in the past?
Adult Learners
Is a bilingual Ireland to be achieved only through school education and therefore cross-generationally? And what of the much-larger adult population, with its diversified needs?
People and institutions
Many people and institutions will need to feed the 20-year bilingual Strategy. Who are these enablers or implementers? And what do they have to say? We will need to hear from them – particularly their analyses and proposals.
Language organisations
How will the merging of language organisations serve the 20-year plan? What are the implicationsfor the stakeholders? How are they all to tie in with the bilingual strategy?
Research Basis
Fn its effectiveness, the Strategy has to depend on existing research. How is one to map notions of a bilingual Ireland on to this Strategy? What is the research evidence for doing so or for its likelihood of success? On what basis is the Strategy being driven or informed?
Údarás na Gaeilge
Also, is a co-ordinating, overseeing group needed? How is the Údarás na Gaeilge envisaged? Who will do its work, and wherefrom will the undoubtedly-needed expertise be drawn? What overlap will there be between Údarás and Foras?
Policy
A strategy presupposes a policy, but what is the policy in this case? Or even the plan? If the policy is about bilingualism, how is it to differ from present arrangements and practices? Does Foras na Gaeilge, a cross-border body, have the policy, and if so what is it, and what are Foras’s plans and desires?
Northern Ireland
How is the Strategy to affect Northern Ireland? In what ways can the envisaged bilingual society in the South be replicated in the North? We also note that there is a Northern Ireland Working Group on the Strategy, and that DCAL is to present A Strategy for Indigenous or Regional Minority Languages to the Executive this summer, about which similar questions could be asked. Considerable consultation needs to be done.
Further information
Please contact Dr John KirkSenior Lecturer in English and Scottish Language School of English Queen's University Belfast Belfast, BT7 1NN Northern Ireland
tel. +44 (0)28 9097 3815fax. +44 (0)28 9097 3334email j.m.kirk@qub.ac.uk
http://www.pobail.ie/ie/AnGhaeilge/
- Venue
- Queen's University, Belfast