Language Freedom Movement
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Founded in 1966, the Language Freedom Movement (Irish: Gluaiseacht Saoirse Teanga) was an organization dedicated to the opposition of the state-sponsored revival of the Irish language in the Republic of Ireland with backing by such notable figures as Irish-speaking writers Séamus Ó Grianna ("Máire") and John B. Keane.[1][2]
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[edit] The Movement's concerns
[edit] Examinations
At the time the Movement was formed, if a student failed Irish in their Leaving Certificate they were deemed to have failed the whole exam.[3] The requirement was abolished in 1973, although students are still obliged to study Irish as part of the Leaving Certificate programme, and a pass is required for Irish students entering Irish universities (but not for foreign students). In 1974 Irish was removed as a requirement for entry to the civil service.[3]
[edit] Textbooks
Significant changes in the Leaving Certificate maths curriculum were reflected in two new textbooks produced by the Irish Christian Brothers. However, material for the new honours (higher-level) syllabus was offered only in a government-subsidised book in Irish, while the pass (lower-level) material was published in English. The situation continued for several years, until affordable alternative textbooks eventually became available.
[edit] Mansion House meeting
The Movement organised a meeting in the Mansion House, Dublin on 21 September 1966.[3][4] About 2000 people turned up, though most of them seemed opposed to the Movement.[3] Opponents taunted the organisers by waving Union Jacks at them.[3] One person seized an Irish Tricolour from the table used by the movement, shouting that the flag should not be displayed at such a meeting.[3] A fight involving ten men broke out and calm was only restored when the LFM agreed to four of their opponents speaking at the meeting.[3]
Gardaí were present as Patrick Byrne had requested their presence at the request of the Language Freedom Movement.[5]
Máirtín Ó Cadhain was involved in the disruption of the meeting.[6][7]
[edit] End
The Language Freedom Movement later went out of existence.
[edit] See also
- Language revival
- R.V. Comerford, Ireland Inventing the Nation (Hodder, London 2003) pp142–152.
[edit] External links
- Clip of 7 Days from 1967 (Windows Media Player). Report on a public meeting of the Language Freedom Movement at the Mansion House.
[edit] References
- ^ John B Keane, The Guardian, 31 May 2002, retrieved 8 June 2009
- ^ Wars of Words: The Politics of Language in Ireland 1537-2004, Tony Crowley, Oxford University Press, 2005, ISBN 019927343X, 9780199273430
- ^ a b c d e f g From Language Revival to Survival, Donncha Ó hEallaithe, anghaeltacht.net, originally published in Who Needs Irish?, edited by Ciarán Mac Murdach, published by Veritas Publications, ISBN 1 85390 777 4
- ^ A New History of Ireland, T.W. Moody, F.X. Martin, Francis John Byrne, William E. Vaughan, Art Cosgrove, Dáibhí Ó Crónin, p.445
- ^ Dáil Éireann - Volume 225 - 29 November, 1966
- ^ Exam success: clever people are not always the intelligent ones, Con Houlihan, Sunday Independent, 23 September 2007, retrieved 1 July 2009
- ^ Century of Endeavour, Roy Johnston, p.203
