A Chairde,
While browsing through the archives of past topics on this message board I came across a discussion in which someone proposed "shaming" the Irish into using their ancestral tongue. (Don't get me wrong, I have spent quite a bit of time on the Irish language, not to mention a lot of money. I think the Irish language should be key to Irish identity.)
Having said that, and continuing the "shame" angle, I propose that someone organize a "Wake for the Irish Language (Tórramh don Ghaeilge)" to call attention to the demise of our ancestral tongue. At least it could go out on a bang rather than a whimper.

Ach níl sí marbh (ná fiú ar leaba an bháis) fós!

It is only the enemies of the language who claim it is dead or dying. It aint.

"Thoir a-nuas dhuinn na coinnleirean òir,
'S annt' càraibh na coinnlean geal' cèir,
Lasaibh suas iad an seomar a' bhròin,
Taigh-aire e seann chànain a' Ghàidheil,"

'S e siud bho choinn fhada thuirt an nàmh',
Ach fhathast tha beò Cànan nan Gàidheal.

Thig thugainn, thig còmh' rium gu siar
'Gus an cluinn sinn ann Cànan nan Gàidheal.

Go deas a Jonas. Is dóhg liom go bhfuil leagan de sin agam ar CD le Catherine Ann MacPhee. Níl na focla i nGàidhlig ar an CD - bheinn buíoch díot dá ndearfa liom cá bhfuair tú iad!

bho choinn fhada bho chionn fhada

I am surprised that present-day Gaels no longer recognise satire. Brian Merriman would have a tough time today. Check out "The Irish Comic Tradition" sometime. It was intended as a challenge to the Irish people to take a serious look at what is happening to "ár dTeanga Fhéin". An dtuigeann sibh?

quote:

I am surprised that present-day Gaels no longer recognise satire.

!!??!! Nár léigh tú riamh An Béal Bocht? Tá aistriúchán de ar fáil, The Poor Mouth. Ní aoir go Myles na Gopaleen!