Introduction

Irish{con}Fusion will provide an opportunity to find out more about the language in the context of its history and the shared cultural heritage that exists among the Celtic languages of Europe.

“Language is the road map of a culture. It tells you where its people came from and where they are going.”
Rita Mae Brown, “Starting from Scratch: A Different Kind of Writers’ Manual”, 1988.

“A Uachtaráin, agus a chairde.”
Queen Elizabeth ll, speaking at a state dinner in Dublin Castle, 18 May 2011.

“Is féidir linn.”
US President Barack Obama, College Green, Dublin, 23 May 2011.

Language is never language in itself, it is representative of culture and identity. As such, the Irish language, which is part of a wider Celtic linguistic heritage, dates back to the 5th and 6th centuries, and these languages can be attributed to large sections of the predominant communities on the Island of Ireland, north and south. This then poses the question: ‘How can the Irish language be considered the cultural property of only one of the main communities who have their roots in Northern Ireland?’

Who is this aimed at?

This Learning Resource is aimed at Key Stage 3 for delivery in schools and communities with groups of up to 30 learners. The resource describes the origins of Celtic languages in order to promote an understanding of the evolution of language, as well as provide discussion points in order to promote a more current view of the importance of cultural heritage.

The resource is structured around 4 core delivery sessions and forms part of a wider programme which identifies shared cultural heritage as a means of bringing communities together who may have otherwise been seen to be divided on the basis of cultural identity. The sessions are curriculum mapped at KS 3.

Teacher Notes

Introduction

Irish{con}Fusion will provide an opportunity to find out more about the language in the context of its history and the shared cultural heritage that exists among the Celtic languages of Europe.
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Unit 1 - Celtic Languages

The unit encourages students to think about where the Celtic language came from and how it has evolved. Students should also consider how languages develop and become extinct over the course of time.
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Unit 2 - How old are these languages?

The unit encourages students to think about the history of Celtic languages. Students should also consider how languages are kept alive, and what they represent culturally.
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Unit 3 - Why is a language important?

The film, ‘What the Focal?’, looks at cultural identity and what that means, and opens the discussion about what we consider to be ‘our’ cultural heritage.
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Unit 4 - Advantages of multilingualism

The unit outlines the advantages of multilingualism, encourages students to think about how bilingualism could improve community relations and develop future generations as individuals and contributors to society and the economy.
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