OPINION: Fresh surge of interest in the Irish language, but can we make the most of it?

There’s a saying in Irish - Beatha teanga í a labhairt. The life of a language is in speaking it.

This is one of the many old proverbs (seanfhocail) drilled into the minds school students across the island of Ireland.

Instead of being asked to pause and think about these thought-provoking statements, students are often told simply to learn them off.

This is symptomatic of the shortsighted and unsympathetic approach to our native language that has been cultivated in our education system.

According to a recent study from Studyclix, almost seven in 10 (68%) sixth-year students have a love and appreciation for the Irish language, but more than eight in 10 (81%) believe the way in which it is taught is outdated.

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The rising enthusiasm for the Irish language among young people has been credited to various recent cultural phenomenons including social media, music and movies.

Recent wins for the Irish language include the success of Belfast hip-hop group Kneecap and the work of an increasing number of Irish language influencers on social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram, who promote the language with fun and accessible ways to learn it.

Being able to speak ‘as Gaeilge’ is very much coming into vogue right now, but are we doing enough to ride this wave of newfound interest and revival?

Most people I know (around my own age) long to be fluent in Irish, but also feel like that opportunity has passed them by.

Keep in mind that many of these people would’ve started learning Irish all the way back in primary school and studied Honours Irish in the Leaving Cert.

Even with me, somebody who does like to use a ‘cúpla focal’ every now and again, I’d never describe myself as being fluent.

I personally don’t come from a family of Irish speakers, and never attended a Gaelscoil.

Thankfully, I had some great Irish teachers along the way who kept the passion and grá for the teanga alive.

I think passion is infectious and seeing it in front of our eyes can be inspiring.

To that end, we need to verbalise our passion and grá for the language more - with both words and action.

That’s what Kneecap have been doing recently; just look at the spin-off and butterfly effect of that, which is still causing ripples.

As individuals, we don’t even need to think that big. Even little adjustments can make a big difference.

A colleague of mine, for example, will always end a phone call by saying ‘slán’. It’s an example of a really tiny effort, but it’s something that stuck with me, and something we can all do.

The recent and growing trend of businesses (like coffee shops) offering small discounts or perks to customers who converse with staff as Gaeilge has been incredible to see.

It’s worth noting that non-native English speakers will often credit their time watching English language television and movies as being vital to them picking up the language.

With that in mind, it’d be nice to see television channels, broadcasters and film studios further incentivised to produce quality Irish language content.

I know from experience that watching hurling and rugby matches on TG4 has helped me to no end learning new vocabulary.

It would also be great to see more Irish language social circles being set up locally, where people with an interest in the language can meet and chat in their native tongue.

We have a chance now to make the most of this surge of interest in the Irish language. Are we finally going to seize this opportunity, or let our language down again?

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