• PhobosAnomaly@feddit.ukEnglish
    2·
    8 months ago

    Excuse my ignorance, but what is the status of Irish in Ireland?

    I only ask because my (perhaps erroneous) assumption was that Irish is a recognised language, but English is the most spoken language by a considerable margin - aggregated across all areas.

    I always assumed that it had the same status as Welsh in Wales and Gaelic in Scotland - but happy to be proven wrong!

    • hitmyspotEnglish
      5·
      8 months ago

      Irish officially the first language, constitutionally. English is an official language too.

      Irish is learned by all in school, but spoken as a first language by only a few. Most don’t retain the school learned Irish.

      I imagine it’s similar to the level of speaking in Wales and Scotland. However, I think the UK does not have an official language for any of her countries and English is the lingua franca. however, I could be corrected on that, as I recall being told that northern irlend recognizes English, Irish, scots gael and mandarin.

      The title doesn’t say spoken language, only uses possessive language. So, the less spoken, but constitutionally first language would apply.

        • hitmyspotEnglish
          1·
          8 months ago

          I suppose to summarose. Irish is spoken at low levels, but has a higher status than English officially.