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Poots attends First Gaelic Language Event
Following recent, rather hypocritical, criticism of culture minister Edwin Poots after he stated in a written answer (AQW 4045/08) he hadn't attended any Irish language events during his first 9 months in the job, Edwin Poots will today attend an Irish Gaelic language event in Belfast. Isn't that a turn-up?
Follow up:
The original question was answered on 22nd February.
Mr P Butler asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the number of (i) Ulster Scots events; and (ii) Irish language events, he has attended since becoming Minister.
(AQW 4045/08)
Mr E Poots: I have attended a total of 5 Ulster-Scots events as the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure. To date I have received 4 invitations to Irish language events but have not attended any.
Follow-up question AQW 4300/08, answered on 29th February, asked him to explain his previous answer.
Mr P Butler asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure, pursuant to his answer to AQW 4045/08, to detail the reasons why he has been unable to attend an Irish language event since taking up office.
(AQW 4300/08)
Mr E Poots: While I would, diary permitting, be happy to attend events of a cultural nature, I am not a speaker of the Irish language and could not contribute in any meaningful way to an event conducted in Irish.
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18 comments
Didn't know Edwin Poots could speak Ulster Scots.
07 Mar 2008 @ 12:24
Seamus, note the wording of the question. He was asked about Ulster Scots events, not Ulster Scots language events. That would include other cultural activities (highland dancing, for example) and they aren't necessarily conducted in the Ulster Scots tongue.
Whether the discrepancy was a deliberate attempt by Paul Butler to distort the figures in the answer or just a refusal to describe Ulster Scots as a language I couldn't comment.
Whether the discrepancy was a deliberate attempt by Paul Butler to distort the figures in the answer or just a refusal to describe Ulster Scots as a language I couldn't comment.
07 Mar 2008 @ 12:39
Didn't know he could do highland dancing either, I'd pay money to see him do that. Maybe, as a sign of good faith, the Minister should educate himself in the Irish language so that he can adequately rule on the policy that he has control over. That being said, it is progress that Poots is actually attending the event. Also, just to point out, in "Irish Gaelic" Gaelic is spelt Gaelige.
07 Mar 2008 @ 12:49
Comment from: Reg [Visitor]
Fair play to Edwin. It's a small step but it's still a step. He's already a Down supporter!
On a separate note, why do they do highland dancing at Ulster Scot events? Weren't the Ulster Scots almost exclusively from the lowlands? There's no harm in it - it's just a bit odd.
On a separate note, why do they do highland dancing at Ulster Scot events? Weren't the Ulster Scots almost exclusively from the lowlands? There's no harm in it - it's just a bit odd.
07 Mar 2008 @ 14:02
Seamus, I was under the impression the preferred spelling was Gaeilge, but either way I'm not sure what drove you to tell us that. Had someone suggested otherwise?
Reg, that was only an example and one given by someone who doesn't know a great deal about it. Sorry.
07 Mar 2008 @ 20:10
No, I just believe that if we are talking about a subject then we should spell it correctly, especially when it comes to language. Gaelic, in linguistically terms, draws up more connotations to the Scottish language rather than the Irish language.
07 Mar 2008 @ 21:01
Thanks, but when I'm writing in English I think it's appropriate to spell the words in English. Not only do I disagree that it draws up connotations to Scottish Gaelic, I'd tend to believe the reverse.
On topic, I think this is one of the first good things Poots has done. He can't take a decision not to implement an ILA and then go into hiding.
On topic, I think this is one of the first good things Poots has done. He can't take a decision not to implement an ILA and then go into hiding.
07 Mar 2008 @ 21:34
Fair enough, it is your blog after all. I think it is important that Poots does this. The Irish Language Act was ultimately promised at St Andrews, no matter how much unionist and Edwin Poots try to weasel out of it. He needs to show that he was telling the truth that he ruled out the ILA because of financial constants and not his own bigotry, so this is one small step but an important first one for him.
07 Mar 2008 @ 22:23
Comment from: Da [Visitor]
Personally I think that we should stop pretending that Irish or Ulster Scots have any particular relevance to everyday modern life.
If anyone wants to concentrate on these dead languages as a hobby that's fine by me. I don't want to pay for someone else's hobby though. Your hobby - you pay for it.
Public money could be directed at many more useful targets.
If anyone wants to concentrate on these dead languages as a hobby that's fine by me. I don't want to pay for someone else's hobby though. Your hobby - you pay for it.
Public money could be directed at many more useful targets.
08 Mar 2008 @ 14:01
Comment from: Mike [Visitor] · http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_B%C3%A9arla
What Da Says !
If these hobby languages had as much support as their enthusiasts claim there wouldnt be any need for public funding or special measures from the government.
In fact experience over the last 90 odd years from another place not too far away suggests that such intervention can be highly counter productive.
If these hobby languages had as much support as their enthusiasts claim there wouldnt be any need for public funding or special measures from the government.
In fact experience over the last 90 odd years from another place not too far away suggests that such intervention can be highly counter productive.
10 Mar 2008 @ 19:39
"Public money could be directed at many more useful targets."
Like what? Orange Halls, Bonfires, the Northern Ireland football team. All examples of parts of some peoples cultures that receive public funding.
Like what? Orange Halls, Bonfires, the Northern Ireland football team. All examples of parts of some peoples cultures that receive public funding.
10 Mar 2008 @ 20:01
Comment from: Mike [Visitor]
Good point Seamus but it doesnt make what Da said any less wrong.
Culture (or sport) shouldnt be funded by the taxpayer.
Thats what the lottery is for.
Culture (or sport) shouldnt be funded by the taxpayer.
Thats what the lottery is for.
10 Mar 2008 @ 20:49
Comment from: Danny [Visitor]
Da,
Irish has relevance for all Irish speakers and cultural relevance for the majority of Irish people, even to many non-fluent speakers. And you and I both know Irish isn't dead.
If it was dead, it wouldn't have a 24/7 Radio Station devoted to it or a TV station. Or newspapers etc.
It's merely a minority language now.
But carry on being a biased fool if you wish.
Irish has relevance for all Irish speakers and cultural relevance for the majority of Irish people, even to many non-fluent speakers. And you and I both know Irish isn't dead.
If it was dead, it wouldn't have a 24/7 Radio Station devoted to it or a TV station. Or newspapers etc.
It's merely a minority language now.
But carry on being a biased fool if you wish.
13 Mar 2008 @ 03:36
That's all well and good Danny, but TG4 shows a lot of English language programming and sport, and still has to be supported by the Southern state.
Da's right, nobody should be prevented from partaking in whatever (lawful) hobby they wish but the return on investment of public cash is highly questionable.
Da's right, nobody should be prevented from partaking in whatever (lawful) hobby they wish but the return on investment of public cash is highly questionable.
13 Mar 2008 @ 09:36
Comment from: Danny [Visitor]
I disregard the comments by people like Da who get a kick out of dumping on Irish. It's dull, small minded and condescending. It's about money for them. It's about having a go at people who think it natural to speak the Irish language in Ireland. What a crazy idea, eh? ;p
It's not dead and it does have relevance in the "modern world". Multilingualism is a positive thing.
As opposed to Raidió na Gaeltachta, TG4 is aimed not only at native speakers but also those who want to increase their ability in Irish. Hence, subtitles for many of their programmes.
It does show movies and sport in English, absolutely. It also broadcasts sport in Irish. Gaelic games, Wimbledon and Soccer, for example. And a live weekly sports magazine show as well.
And isn't it an independent corporation now? It continues to receive State funding, but I'm not sure if it's less than before?
It's not dead and it does have relevance in the "modern world". Multilingualism is a positive thing.
As opposed to Raidió na Gaeltachta, TG4 is aimed not only at native speakers but also those who want to increase their ability in Irish. Hence, subtitles for many of their programmes.
It does show movies and sport in English, absolutely. It also broadcasts sport in Irish. Gaelic games, Wimbledon and Soccer, for example. And a live weekly sports magazine show as well.
And isn't it an independent corporation now? It continues to receive State funding, but I'm not sure if it's less than before?
13 Mar 2008 @ 22:29
Danny, if you ignore their comments I find it hard to believe you could understand them enough to say whether or not its about money. In fact I think you're being quite narrow minded yourself on that front, a tad hypocritical in context. There's no dumping on Irish speakers who speak it amongst themselves, it's the dogmatic demands for state support that receive often deserved derision.
The problem is that for most people, particularly those who are most forceful in their promotion of Gaelic, it isn't natural to speak it. The vast majority of speakers learn it in a classroom.
The ability to speak multiple languages is a good thing. Accommodating a minority language which is the first language of significant groups of people is desirable if not essential. The creation of a bilingual state where it doesn't exist is just wasteful.
Gaelic is nice to have (and I do mean that) but it is a long way from necessary.
The problem is that for most people, particularly those who are most forceful in their promotion of Gaelic, it isn't natural to speak it. The vast majority of speakers learn it in a classroom.
The ability to speak multiple languages is a good thing. Accommodating a minority language which is the first language of significant groups of people is desirable if not essential. The creation of a bilingual state where it doesn't exist is just wasteful.
Gaelic is nice to have (and I do mean that) but it is a long way from necessary.
14 Mar 2008 @ 00:30
Comment from: Danny [Visitor]
I'm being narrow minded because I disregard his comments!? Believe me, I'm well aware of the money argument. I've heard it all before. But as soon as someone starts the "Irish is dead" bs and the suggestion that it's somehow backward or not modern...they lose the argument, in my opinion.
It's one thing to put forward a reasoned argument against the compulsory status of Irish, or the level of funding for the language etc, but once someone descends to the level Da did, you know you're dealing with someone who has an issue with more than just tax dollars.
It's one thing to put forward a reasoned argument against the compulsory status of Irish, or the level of funding for the language etc, but once someone descends to the level Da did, you know you're dealing with someone who has an issue with more than just tax dollars.
14 Mar 2008 @ 07:09
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