Medieval Anglo-Saxon Gaeilgeoir

"The Irish Language Researcher"

 

"Why learn Irish? Or why develop research skills in the language?
Comprehensive knowledge of pre-nineteenth century Ireland without Irish is about as realistic as comprehensive knowledge of Germany without German. Even today comprehensive knowledge of Modern Ireland without Irish is as realistic as one of Modern Canada without French. Because Irish is known by so many Irish people today, even if only passively, it represents a unique living aspect of Irish culture that must surely inform any scholar working in the field of modern Irish studies. Choosing not to know Irish, a primary marker of Irishness, particularly when it is known by all Irish people who have attended primary and secondary school, cuts one off from an important facet of modern Irish culture.
For many years, the Irish language was a national footnote. Now, with a critical mass of speakers around the world, in Irish cities, and in the Gaeltacht, and with full legal status in Ireland and in the European Union, it is becoming a major growth area in Irish culture and scholarship. While monolinguals may continue to resist the language's growth, in truth it is becoming unavoidable for most scholars. Hopefully this article will point New Jersey Irish scholars in the direction of resources that will be of use to them.

Full text of article: https://www.academia.edu/5657105/_The_Irish_Language_Researcher_

Labels: Acmhainní, Brian Ó Broin, Drew University, gaeilge, Gaelic, Ireland, Irish History, Irish language, New Jersey, Resources, Symposium, William Paterson University, WPUNJ

posted by sacsanua @ 11:31 AM