Language(s) in Education and Society in Ireland North and South: "The Longed–For Tidal Wave of Justice Can Rise Up, and Hope and History Rhyme" (Seamus Heaney)

• In Event: 61.022 - A Perspective From Ireland Toward Justice: Culture, Language, and Heritage in Education Research and Praxis

Abstract

Social and educational policy documentation in the EU, Ireland and the UK aspire to language policies and practices which develop multilingualism and a respect for heritage and interculturalism, while promoting the knowledge economy. This paper will discuss how the plethora of policy papers and reports currently circulating might be harnessed to integrate the languages of business, diplomacy, heritage, lifestyle, community and newcomers. The particular challenge facing Ireland is how linguistic diversity can be accommodated in a society where it often seems that ‘English is Enough.’ The role of Irish is central to these considerations. Although the first official language in the Republic, in Northern Ireland Irish is controversial and has been described as “the green litmus paper of community relations”.

Author

• Eugene McKendry, Queen's University - Belfast