Comments on: A realistic expectation by Ó Cuív?

By: Eoin

Eoin — Thu, 08 May 2008 19:12:47 +0000

@imothuairim: the government (except for some mutterings perhaps) has no push for a ‘bilingual’ population, and therefore I have no expectation for them to push for one! If it’s not happening now, why would they help between now and 2050?

Overall, a stupid question, as the government is voted in every 5 years. But still, I see no overall change to policy.

By: imothuairim

imothuairim — Thu, 08 May 2008 19:02:17 +0000

In Ireland, Irish signs should be as expected as English ones in England.

Quite why Gerald King is on an Irish Blog is somewhat of a mystery in the first place, but as Eoin says, the mapmakers are a fault if the names on the map aren’t those on the signs.

Now, to move away from this bewildered tourist chat, as I said before: Ó Cúiv has realistic expectations, if he puts in some work. If I had any authority I should think he’s setting the bar a little low.

A majority of the population speaking the language is possible in fifty years, if the government are prepared to stick their head out and get things done.

By: Eoin

Eoin — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 20:34:01 +0000

We’re going off topic with this mapping thing, but anyway…

If Michelin maps showed only “Anglicised” versions of placenames in Germany, who is wrong - the German road signs, or the Michelin map?

“Tourists” follow road signs for München, not Munich.

By: Al

Al — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 15:37:54 +0000

I was trying to find Dungloe and the sign says An Clochán Liath. Now do turn left or right? I have a michelin map, but the do not sell Ordinance Survey Ireland in my country. Hang on, there is a sign ahead but half the sign is blacked out??? Where am I? Dont they like tourists. I thought Ireland was supposed to be a friendly country?

ONLY Ordinance Survey Ireland publish maps with the place names in two languages and NO map on sale in Europe does. Perhaps in Donegal An Clochán Liath could be large letters and Dungloe small. In the rest of the country, Dublin large and Balie Atha Cliath small. That would show which was the main spoken language in each area. A Irish solution to a gaelic problem :-).

By: Eoin

Eoin — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 15:03:36 +0000

Eejit, where are you from?

By: Eejit

Eejit — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 01:30:07 +0000

Erse should only be spoken to cattle and dogs. English is the language of power, money, and politics. Even in West Britain.

By: Eoin

Eoin — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 18:23:42 +0000

@Gerald: I do recognise that as a problem. But it’s a MAPPING problem, where the map makers need to match official signage. Official maps are bilingual (Ordinance Survey Ireland). If other, say, Michelin maps do not include the Irish version, then it’s their problem, not the language’s problem.

The only reason I can guess that the sign was monolingual (except for vandalism) was that you were in the Gaeltacht region. Even then, there’s no law preventing bilingual signs in the Gaeltacht pointing towards places outside of the Gaeltacht. While towns within the Gaeltacht can only be referred to by their Irish versions on road signs across the State, it’s allowed to have a sign saying “Gaillimh Galway” within the Gaeltacht.

By: imothuairim

imothuairim — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 18:13:47 +0000

If you were in English there would be no point to have french signs… bad example.

In France they do have French signs… we deal with it. Have Irish maps so.

By: Gerald King

Gerald King — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 15:33:24 +0000

14 years to learn Irish. 5 minutes to forget Irish. Good riddance. A waste of time, money, effort, sweat and tears. Its already a dead language. Why not bury it. RIP.

Another comment. I was in Donegal, trying to find the Airport. No such luck. A lot of the west depends on tourism, but imagine going to England and seeing all the road signs in French? Now got to Donegal and see a sign for Baile Atha Cliath and your map says Dublin. The Irish fanatics require that ALL signs are in Irish ONLY, but the maps are printed in English only. The local KNOW how to get there and don’t need signs in any language. Take pity on the poor tourists who need at least one language that they can find on their maps. The few bilingual signs that exist have had the English names blacked out by biggoted fools.

I asked in Donegal Airport when I found it, for an Irish language map and was informed that none were made.

By: Eoin

Eoin — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 13:34:56 +0000

Regarding imothuairim’s mention of Cowen, I read that he had 15 minutes of leader’s questions in the Dáil through Irish this week. He has also mentioned that the language is an important issue. This is good that it’s on his radar.