Language Use and Language Learning in Northern Ireland: Building Linguistic Capacity for Reconciliation / Úsáid Teanga agus Foghlaim Teanga I dTuaisceart Éireann: Cumas Teanga a Fhorbairt don Athmhuintearas

Abstract

This report outlines some central concerns raised by the text of the Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) , 2022, (as introduced) and which were identified by participants in the final workshop of the New Foundations Irish Research Council funded project ‘Supporting Irish Language Use on a CrossCommunity Basis - Recommendations and Insights’ in June 2022, including concerns raised by the community partner in the project, Turas. The research undertaken thus far has indicated a clear need for formal, legal provision through legislation for language rights in Northern Ireland. The specific obligations such legislation could impose have been modelled in other jurisdictions on both the island of Ireland and in the United Kingdom and are examined in the subsequent report in this series. However, the minimum objective of such legislation is to reduce discretion and thus seek to ‘depoliticise’ language rights in functional terms by removing them from active and ongoing fluctuations of enforcement or support which a less formal, policy basis would permit. Depoliticisation must, however, operate not only in a top-down model but also in a bottom-up manner, building tolerance, and understanding, of minority languages among the community. Crucially this requires not only the facilitation and recognition of existing language users with high levels of fluency but also the engagement of those communities who do not view themselves as having any ‘ownership’ of the/a minority language.