Written answers

Thursday, 27 September 2007

Department of Education and Science

Irish Language

5:00 pm

Photo of Brian O'SheaBrian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 132: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her proposals in regard to simplifying the grammar of the Irish language in order to facilitate students in achieving an earlier spoken confidence in the language; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21271/07]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Grammar is the study of forms of speech and their relation to one another and is concerned with the application of the rules of a language in speech and in writing. The Irish language is a living language, which in common with other languages, evolves and changes through usage. The grammar of a language reflects the consensus of academics, lexicographers and linguists on the standard usage at any given period in time. As it is language usage that determines grammar, it would not be appropriate for the Minister for Education and Science to propose changes to, or simplification of, the grammar of the Irish language, and I have no proposals in this regard.

I fully agree with the approach recommended in the primary curriculum that pupils should be taught Irish in a lively communicative way, where they hear Irish spoken regularly and have frequent opportunities to practice using the Irish language in a variety of contexts. This authentic approach to language acquisition is in keeping with international best practice for teaching and learning additional languages. This can be augmented by introduction to more formal grammar as learners develop fluency in communicating through Irish.

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