Sent by the National Youth Council of Ireland on Behalf of Na Gaeil Óga
Friday 10 March 2006

Texts As Gaeilge

The Predictive Text as Gaeilge Campaign or Feachtas Gaelú na bhFón Póca is the latest campaign by the Irish-language youth organisation Na Gaeil Óga. Na Gaeil Óga want to use the goodwill towards the Irish-language in Ireland during Seachtain na Gaeilge, 4-17 March to develop a new predictive text service on mobile phones in Irish. They also want an option to have Irish as a user on all mobile phones in Ireland, i.e. Phonebook nó Eolaire Gutháin/fóin.

The campaign, the first of its kind in Irish, will be a text campaign, where people will be asked to show their support by texting the word "GAEILGE" to the number 53033 in the south of Ireland and to the number 88122 in the north during Seachtain na Gaeilge, 4-17 March. Texts cost 50p/60c and all proceeds go to Irish-language youth organisations, to provide social events for young people through Irish.

The campaign is organised by Na Gaeil Óga in partnership with the Andersonstown NewsGroup (Lá, Daily Ireland, etc).
The campaign is also support by a wide range of organisations including, Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge (Irish-language umbrella body), USI, the National Youth Council of Ireland, Conradh na Gaeilge, Gaelscoileanna Teo, Seachtain na Gaeilge Teo, Comhluadar, Raidió na Life, Ógras, Feachtas Óg-Ghluaiseacht na Gaeilge, Spleodar, Cumann na bhFiann, and Fios Feasa. The campaign's administration costs are funded by Foras na Gaeilge.

According to Seán Ó hAdhmaill, spokesperson for Na Gaeil Óga, "We think that Seachtain na Gaeilge gives us an ideal opportunity, to show the mobile phone service providers that there is a need for this service for Irish language speakers, learners and young people. Seachtain na Gaeilge and our predictive text campaign is also an ideal opportunity for mobile phone service providers to show the youth of Ireland, their most valued customers that they are thankful for their custom.

In terms of the Irish language a service such as predictive text in Irish would have an immensely positive effect on the image and more importantly on the usage of the Irish language, particularly amongst young people, by making one of the primary means of communication for young people, texting, easier in Irish.

It would also benefit the "new" Irish that come to Ireland, as it will give them and all learners an opportunity to interact, learn and practice the language in their own time, without the pressure of finding the correct word or phrase on the spot.

Na Gaeil Óga

Cúlra

Na Gaeil Óga is a politically independent Irish-language youth organisation that was established to give a voice to young people during the STÁDAS campaign. After that aim was achieved, Na Gaeil Óga are focused on various elements of raising and ensuring the status of the Irish-language, in the Irish education systems, in states agencies through the Official Languages Act, agus in lobbying for an Irish-language Act in the north. Na Gaeil Óga are also involved in organising various social events and concerts aimed at encouraging young people to speak Irish.

For further information please contact Félim Borland (0872688539) or Seán Ó hAdhmaill (0857395580) Na Gaeil Óga. Email:


Related Link: http://www.redbrick.dcu.ie/~wilburt