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Statement from Cumann Gaelach na hEaglaise on recent remarks relating to the Irish language
Tagairtí déanta ag an feisire tionóil Gregory Campbell faoin nGaeilge le déanaí – Ráiteas ó choiste Chumann Gaelach na hEaglaise
Tá Cumann Gaelach na hEaglaise buartha maidir le tagairtí atá déanta le déanaí ag feisire i dtionól Thuaisceart Éireann– Gregory Campbell MLA– maidir leis an nGaeilge. Rinne an tUas. Campbell scigaithris ar fhrása a úsáidtear go minic ag feisirí sa Tionól: “go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle”. Lean sé den scigaithris ag comhdháil pháirtí polaitiúil ar na mallaibh.
Chuir na tagairtí seo, agus iad déanta ag duine ar iar–Aire Chultúir i bhfeidhmeannas Thuaisceart Éireann é, olc agus imní ar neart daoine, agus b’fhacthas dóibh gur léirigh siad easpa measa do chainteoirí Gaeilge. Maíodh gur gearán maidir le mí–úsáid na Gaeilge do chuspóirí polaitiúla a bhí i gceist leis na tagairtí céanna. Creideann Cumann Gaelach na hEaglaise, áfach, nach féidir féachaint ar scigaithris teanga den chineál seo ach mar rud ionsaitheach i leith cainteoirí Gaeilge i gcoitinne. Tá an Ghaeilge mar oidhreacht comónta ag gach traidisiún agus pobal ar an oileán seo. Le céad bliain anuas, tá Cumann Gaelach na hEaglaise ag saothrú chun í a chur chun cinn i saol Eaglais na hÉireann, le súil aige ar an nasc láidir atá ag an teanga le traidisiún an Reifirméisin ó thús an 17ú hAois i leith. Is bunphrionsabal i sochaí ilghnéitheach é meas a léiriú ar thraidisiúin chultúrtha dhaoine eile, an teanga san áireamh.
Tugaimid suntas do na forbairtí spreagúla atá tarlaithe de bharr obair seanbhunaithe trasphobail Iontaobhas Ultach agus shéipéal Preispitéireach Fitzroy, mar aon leis na ceapacháin oifigeach forbartha lánaimseartha atá déanta ag an gCumann agus ag Misean Oirthear Bhéal Feirste le blianta beaga anuas. Tá fás sna seirbhísí Gaeilge a chuirtear ar fáil in eaglaisí thraidisiún an Reifirméisin (Teampall Naomh Seoirse i mBéal Feirste, ach go háirithe), mar aon le borradh sa tsuim a léirítear ar oidhreacht Ghaidhlig na hAlban i measc neart daoine i bpobal Protastúnach an Tuaiscirt
Dá mba rud é go mbeadh tagairtí den chineál a rinneadh le déanaí déanta in Albain nó sa Bhreatain Bheag, bheadh imní nach beag á léiriú ina leith, mar is cuí. Ní féidir glacadh le caighdeán níos lú a bheith i bhfeidhm i dTuaisceart Éireann. Is mian linn ár dtiomantas do chur chun cinn leas na teanga i dtraidisiún an Reifirméisin a athdhearbhú, agus glaoimid ar ionadaithe poiblí agus ar chinnirí páirtithe athdhearbhú a dhéanamh ar a dtacaíocht agus a meas d’ilghnéitheacht teanga inár sochaí comhroinnte.
Recent remarks made in relation to the Irish language by Gregory Campbell MLA– statement from the committee of Cumann Gaelach na hEaglaise
Cumann Gaelach na hEaglaise is concerned at recent comments in relation to the Irish language made by a representative in the Northern Ireland assembly, Mr Gregory Campbell MLA. Mr Campbell engaged in a parody of the phrase used by many deputies in the Assembly “go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle” , meaning “thank you, Speaker.” He has continued the parody at a recent party conference.
These remarks, from a former Culture Minister in the Northern Ireland executive, have been greeted with dismay and concern by many people as demonstrating a lack of respect for Irish speakers. Although the remarks have been presented as an expression of protest in relation to the alleged misuse of the Irish language for political purposes, Cumann Gaelach na hEaglaise feels that to engage in a parody of the language in this manner cannot reasonably be regarded as other than offensive to Irish speakers in general.
The Irish language is the common heritage of all traditions and peoples on the island of Ireland. Cumann Gaelach na hEaglaise has for the past century been dedicated to its promotion in the life of the Church of Ireland, bearing in mind the strong association of the language with the reformed tradition since the early 17th century. The demonstration of respect for the cultural traditions of others, including language, is a fundamental principle in a diverse society.
We note the heartening developments which have taken place through the long–standing cross community work of An tIontaobhas Ultach and Fitzroy Presbyterian Church, and the more recent appointments of full–time development officers for both the Cumann itself and the East Belfast Mission. There has been a growth in the number of Irish language services in the reformed tradition (notably in St George’s Church, Belfast), allied to an increasing awareness of the Scots Gaelic heritage of many in the Northern Protestant community. Remarks of the kind recently made would rightly be regarded with grave concern in Scotland and Wales, and we believe that no less a standard can be applied in Northern Ireland. We reaffirm our commitment to the promotion of the welfare of the language in the reformed tradition, and call on all public representatives and party leaders to affirm support and respect for linguistic diversity in our shared society.
For further information, contact:
Caroline Nolan
Oifigeach Forbartha Gaeilge
(Irish Language Development Officer)
Cumann Gaelach na hEaglaise
00+44 (0)7885 633651
00+353 85 1632 772
R’phost: [email protected]
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