Survey shows people want more opportunities to speak Irish – now is your chance, on Lá na Meán Sóisialta!
Positive opinions on the Irish language have been demonstrated in a survey by Kantar Millward Brown – celebrate with #LNMS18.
1,085 people were interviewed at 66 sampling points in the south of Ireland in a survey conducted by Conradh na Gaeilge and Kantar Millward Brown, regarding views and opinions on the Irish language. (Results from the north of Ireland will be released later this month.) The participants were adults above 15 years old, and quota regulators included gender, age, social class and regions, so as to provide results representative of the general census.
The survey showed that two in five people would like to have more opportunities to speak Irish, and that 43% would like more opportunities to learn the language. Four in ten are confident in their ability to understand Irish, but young people are more confident in the speaking abilities – 52% of young people agreed that they were confident in their spoken Irish. Also, more than half of people recognise that the Fáinne is an indicator that the wearer is an Irish speaker.
In addition to those results, the survey showcased the opportunities the language can offer for companies and those seeking employment. 41% of people said that they would choose a product with bilingual packaging in Irish and English over a product of the same quality with only English on the packaging. Almost half of people also think that having Irish is an advantage when seeking employment.
Amidst these significant results, three in five people, especially among young people, said that they were aware of Seachtain na Gaeilge le Energia – a significant increase since 2015. Almost one in every three of those people said that they had taken part in a Seachtain na Gaeilge event before, and Conradh na Gaeilge hope to further increase that number.
Orlaith Nic Ghearailt, Manager of Seachtain na Gaeilge le Energia, said: “It is very encouraging to see that more people are showing an interest in the language, and that they would like more opportunities to learn and use the language. We are also very happy that more and more people are aware of Seachtain na Gaeilge le Energia and its aims than were a few years ago, especially as it is young people who are showing an interest in it.”
General Secretary of Conradh na Gaeilge, Julian de Spáinn, says: “This survey shows that the Irish language has a role in our communities, not only in a social capacity or as a school subject, but in terms of employment and marketing too. The statistics show a shift in mindset.
“They dispel the myth that Irish is ‘not useful’ – as people now believe that there are employment benefits to having the language. They also convey the significant benefits for companies who use Irish in their packaging and marketing, as Tayto who done so before, and they are to be commended for having already recognised and made use of this opportunity.”
Irish is one of the top 100 most used languages online – and for those who wish to use the language online, Lá na Meán Sóisialta will be held on Friday, 16th of March, to celebrate the development and the growth of the language online.
A special live event will broadcast from the St. Patrick’s College Common Room, DCU, from 12.15. Seachtain na Gaeilge le Energia ambassadors Caitlín Nic Aoidh (TG4), Noel McGrath (Tipperary hurler) & James Patrice (Snapchat Superstar) will all be in attendance.
Conchubhair Mac Lochlainn, Seachtain na Gaeilge Chairperson, said: “As the amount of Irish used online is increasing each day, we would like to celebrate its growth. We have chosen to take a day during Seachtain na Gaeilge to celebrate the presence of the Irish language online, and we hope to create an atmosphere of fun and excitement for all those who take part.”
All you need to do to take part is to use the hashtag #LNMS18 when posting on social media platforms on Friday the 16th of March 2018.
Further information about classes, social events, and opportunities to learn and use the language for speakers and learners at all levels can be found at PEIG.ie
