As part of a 20-year strategy for the promotion and development of the Irish language, the European Heritage report provides valuable insights into the importance of the language as the oldest spoken literary language in Europe. The report’s key aim is to provide a vision for the language’s future development, and a comprehensive set of policy recommendations and specific objectives to achieve that vision by 2030.
The report starts by highlighting the context of the Irish language in Ireland. As the first official language in accordance with article 8 of the Constitution of Ireland, Irish holds a special place in the country’s culture and society. The report also notes that Irish is the main community and household language of 3% of Ireland’s population, which shows the language’s continued relevance.
The report then focuses on areas for action, including education, the Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking) communities, family transmission of the language, administration, services, and community, media, technology, dictionaries, legislation and status, and economic life. One of the key recommendations of the report is to promote bilingualism and to integrate Irish into mainstream education. The report also calls for strengthening the use of Irish in the Gaeltacht and promoting family transmission of the language.
The report further outlines the importance of media and technology in promoting the Irish language and making it more accessible to the wider population. It recommends the development of Irish-language dictionaries and improving the language’s legal status in the country. Finally, the report concludes with cross-cutting initiatives that aim to integrate Irish into all aspects of Irish life and society, highlighting how the language can act as an important driver for social, cultural, and economic development.
Overall, the European Heritage report provides an insightful roadmap for the development and promotion of the Irish language, highlighting the importance of the language in Irish culture and society. Policymakers, language enthusiasts, and professionals interested in European heritage and language promotion will find the report a valuable resource.
