Irish Language and Peacebuilding

The Irish proverb ‘Is fear Ghaeilge bhriste na Béarla cliste,’ meaning ‘Broken Irish is better than clever English,’ offers an insight into the Irish psyche, encapsulating the fierce patriotic fervour which surrounds the Irish language, as well as the rejection of English language and culture. As such, the Irish language or An Ghaeilge is a double-edged sword, underpinning Irish cultural identity but in doing so becoming a powerful and polarizing symbol of Irish nationalism. Despite this, the Irish language has peacebuilding potential, as removing it from the nationalist context and updating it for modern life may address cultural insecurities which encourage Anglophobic practices. Similarly, celebrating Irish’s intersectional history could provide an opportunity for reconciliation and community-building on the island as a whole.