Linda Ervine and Ciarán Mac Giolla Bhéin spoke to Claire Byrne about bilingual placenames, signage and identity since The Identity and Language Act was passed in Northern Ireland last December.
Irish speakers in Belfast welcomed the act but despite over 600 applications being made, no new signs have been erected. Belfast City Council say they are processing applications on a 'first come first serve basis'.
Ciarán Mac Giolla Bhéin, Language Planning Co-Ordinator, West Belfast with 'Fís an Phobail' spoke to Claire about the delay in processing the signs which means if Belfast City Council continue at their current rate it will take over 60 years to clear the backlog. The Irish language version of these placenames already exist, Mac Giolla Bhéin says and therefore isn't an excuse for the delay.
Mhínigh Mac Giolla Bhéin gur bealach isteach iad comharthaí bóthair agus logainmneacha go gineáralta dóibh siúd nach bhfuil cur amach acu ar an nGaeilge agus gur cheart go mbeadh iarrachtaí breise á ndéanamh ag údaráis chun an bealach isteach sin a éascú do dhaoine.
Placenames have been a gateway for people from all backgrounds in Northern Ireland into the Irish language, says Mac Giolla Bhéin. Understanding the true nature of where they live, as contained within the original placename is an important way in which people are engaging with the language.
Linda Ervine, who comes from a Protestant background and has been learning and teaching Irish in East Belfast says that the demographics and attitudes towards the Irish language are changing in Northern Ireland. She hopes that in the future, the people of East Belfast will also apply for signs to be erected bilingually.
Luaigh Ervine go bhfuil 'fhios aici go bhfuil roinnt daoine den tuairim nár cheart an Ghaeilge a thabhairt isteach go seomraí ranga i dTuaisceart Éireann ach tá sí den tuairim go bhfuil an meon sin ag athrú trí chumarsáid ar chúrsaí féiniúlachta ó thuaidh.
Éist le Claire Byrne ar RTÉ Radio One óna 1 Luan go hAoine.
