A fork from the other discussion on strategy.

It is often stated that learning mathematics is "useful" and learning Irish is not.

I believe this attitude is short sighted and mistaken.

Having taken a degree in Electronic Engineering, I have been working as a professional software engineer for over twenty years now.

Clearly, my vocational education was heavily maths based, and unlike most people I have used trigonometry, calculus and statistics professionally, and still do. But I use only a small fraction of what I studied in college, and most of the time I consult a handbook to refresh myself on the detail. The greatest value of mathematics is, once basic numeracy is achieved, providing one with an intellectual tool to methodically deal with a problem.

But even as an engineer one is not always dealing only with problems but more often with people.

And a software engineer more so than anybody else, since the stuff we deal with is almost pure ideas.

The humanities are therefore equally necessary.

Edsger W. Dijkstra said:

quote:

Besides a mathematical inclination, an exceptionally good mastery of one's native tongue is the most vital asset of a competent programmer

I would go further and state that the mastery of other languages is extremely useful.

Half my professional life was spent in Germany; for most of it since I have been dealing with people from all over the world.

Having a firm grasp of Irish has helped me: not because I use it professionally or for gain; but because it gives me another mental tool, and also a secure sense of identity which made it easy for me to be comfortable in Germany, and dealing with other people and cultures.

If we are to truly have a "smart economy", we need to capitalise on all our assets and natural resources: language and literature is one of those.

This argument is made better than I could, and more fully in:

"Capitalising on Culture, Competing on Difference: Innovation, Learning and Sense of Place in a Globalising Ireland"

http://www.blackhallpublishing.com/index.php/capitalising-on-culture-competing-o n-difference-innovation-learning-and-sense-of-place-in-a-globalising-ireland.htm l

Agus sin mo racht go n-uige seo.

(Message edited by aonghus on December 31, 2010)

Maith thú, a Aonghuis. Ceannóidh mé an leabhar sin.

Very nice, Aonghus. I think we also need to restore the concept of education as in educating the whole person. The idea that education is for a career is very destructive and supports the conception amongst some that we are cogs in the wheel of industry instead of humans with souls and destinies. Restore that facet and Irish makes much more sense. Maybe this is eluded to in the book, which I have not read.