The news this week that Trinity has begun to implement a new Irish language scheme will broadly be welcomed by the College’s Irish language speaking community. The scheme, which came into force at the start of this month, will shape the way students and staff will access and interact through the state’s first official language for the next three years.
There are many aspects of the scheme that are worth commending. The range of policies to be implemented feature clear, explicit and achievable goals. For example, College has committed to ensuring that at least one member of staff in both the Academic Registry and the Accommodations Office will be able to conduct business in Irish by the end of the scheme’s third year. The scheme also raises the possibility of supplementing existing voluntary classes in the Irish language with the provision of an online course to staff and students. Trinity also appears to be exploring and engaging with recent trends among the Irish language speaking community. In particular, the scheme makes plans for the College to host a “pop-up Gaeltacht” in the same variety as the spontaneous gatherings that have proven so popular in the range of venues that surround Trinity.
It is very positive that Trinity is willing to exceed its obligations under the Official Languages Act 2003, not least because of the considerable action that is required to normalise the use of Irish in an official setting. Part of what restrains the use of Irish when trying to access services through the language is the culture surrounding it. Even where someone is on hand to do business in Irish, many of those seeking to speak the language may not be aware that the service is on offer. Beyond that, there is likely many Gaeilgeoirí who have seen the reassuring sign at the Library counter indicating that there is “seirbhís ar fáil trí Ghaeilge” but have felt that to start a conversation in Irish to check out a book would be a bit of a faux pas. Not having seen anyone else do so, it can be difficult to escape the feeling that it is an indulgence that is best avoided.
Trinity’s desire to promote and extend its services available through Irish is reassuring, because there may not be an immediate impact or reward to such policies. Leaving them in place long enough for their use to become part of the everyday will be essential to nurturing the growing Irish language speaking community in Trinity.
