Irish language gets full EU status today

Oh I completely understand that. I know several people very well who love the language and are heavily involved in promoting it for all the best reasons and their is not a hint of anything disrespectful in their motives. Indeed i have directly assisted their efforts and continue to support one of their groups to in a practical way.

unfortunately though, the vast majority of the unionist community are only aware of encountering Irish when it is written up on walls in republican slogans or threats and they only see it being used by shinners to make political points - as well as the other negative stuff already mentioned.

the irony is that it’s is people like one or two posters here who are creating opposition to Irish. I genuinely would like to see it non-political and removed from the sectarian battle in the north.

I am inclined to agree with you, but I respect those who love and cherish it and accept its official language status by the EU etc.

I have zero problem with your post and certainly don’t take any offence, but it is interesting that I got disciplined on another thread for suggesting something similar about Irish language spelling.

I am not sure the term veto is helpful, apart from introducing a bit of Latin, a language I had the same experience with in school as some posters here had with Irish. Tbh I don’t know how to respond. I wouldn’t regard what we are discussing as ‘veto’s’. I am talking about the need to reach understanding and consensus.

Consensus has not been reached in ni, and we’ll you know it. What I find really interesting is that there appears to be more frustrations than I expected in the south. There is a full range of opinions on here already from ‘the government is doing too much’ to ‘the government is not doing enough’, ‘EU is correct to give full status’ to ‘its a waste of resources’.

as for consented in ni; my Council is leading the way and causing great controversy by placing endless Irish signage in the constituency, right through to some councils not putting any signs up

So it is ridiculous to suggest consensus has been reached.

Is that the legislation that has been arriving for years and Michelle ONeill promised would be in place at the end of last summer ‘or else’?

anyhow, you have a different take on consensus than me. Would you also say that we reached a consensus to leave the EU?

I think I have demonstrated that there is certainly no consensus on Irish language signage but that issue is starting to dominate this discussion.

my initial interest was in how people feel about extending the reach of the Irish language, and if keen to direct resources at it, what that would do for them eg self-esteem, opportunities, interest, etc

Rather than me putting up endless posts showing the ongoing controversy in much of the north re Irish signs, maybe we could shortcut it and help us all.

Has consensus been reached around Irish signage in ni? and if yes, could you tell me what that consensus is, ie all signs to be Irish, no signs in Irish, etc ?

I could list many more questions but let’s keep it tight so neither of us can duck and dive

You are ducking and diving. The question was simple.

you say Irish signage is not controversial in ni. Your argument is that consensus has been reached.

I don’t mind if you call it consensus, agreement or even diktat. Just tell us what it is re Irish signage - is it going up everywhere, somewhere, nowhere? It’s not difficult to understand. And if you say somewhere, then tell us the criteria that has been agreed?

I am not going to rise to your provocative language. I will leave it to other posters to decide for themselves if I am telling lies or whether you are dancing on the head of a pin.

my question was very simple. Here it is again

“I don’t mind if you call it consensus, agreement or even diktat. Just tell us what it is re Irish signage - is it going up everywhere, somewhere, nowhere? It’s not difficult to understand. And if you say somewhere, then tell us the criteria that has been agreed?”

I couldn’t see any area removing English from the signs, but it would be fun if they did. But you are missing my point. I am opposed to majority rule on this issue as it just labels areas

That’s really helpful and I hope your course goes really well. My dad was also a Protestant from Donegal. Are you anywhere near Castlefin?

Yes, I agree. It is very sad and we need to find a more positive way ahead. I do believe if republicans would back off on this signage and pour more money into supporting people learn Irish by choice, it would give everyone the space to step back

Francie it’s all a big game to you. If I do not quote you exactly you get in a bossy fit over it. You said “There are pockets of dissent”, maybe it’s the moderates you meant that are opposing the signage and the hardliners are embracing it?

as for equality. Currently the majority of signs are phonetically spelt Irish with some modern estates etc in English. So I think what you are saying is that equality would mean two forms of Irish on many signs and no English - 100% of population could pronounce one and 10% both. Interesting take on equality.

but hey - we should not be arguing about this as you are going to tell everyone about the consensus you say was reached and what that would mean for signage - unless of course you just made it up?