Language Freedom Movement
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Founded in 1966, the Language Freedom Movement (Irish: Gluaiseacht Saoirse Teanga) was a political organization opposed [dubious – discuss] to the state-sponsored revival of the Irish language in the Republic of Ireland, which had the backing of several notable Irish-speaking writers including Séamus Ó Grianna ("Máire") and John B. Keane.[1][2]
The Movement's concerns
Examinations
At the time the Movement was formed, if a student failed the Irish paper in their Leaving Certificate they were deemed to have failed the whole exam.[3] This 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 certain Irish universities (but not for foreign students). In 1974 Irish was removed as a requirement for entry to the civil service.[3]
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.
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. At the request of the organisers, Patrick Byrne TD had asked the Garda Commissioner to ensure law and order prevailed.[5]
Irish language writer Máirtín Ó Cadhain was involved in the disruption of the meeting.[6][7]
End
The Language Freedom Movement later [when?] went out of existence [why?].
See also
- Language revival
- R.V. Comerford, Ireland Inventing the Nation (Hodder, London 2003) pp142–152.
External links
- Clip of RTE 7 Days report from 1967 (Windows Media Player). News report on the Language Freedom Movement public meeting at the Mansion House.
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 0-19-927343-X, 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