Foras na Gaeilge
Encyclopedia
Foras na Gaeilge is the governing body of the Irish language
, responsible for the promotion of the language throughout the island of Ireland
. Its name can be translated into English as "The Irish Language Body", although the body has no official English-language name. It was set up on 2 December 1999, assuming the roles of Bord na Gaeilge, An Gúm
, and An Coiste Téarmaíochta, which had formerly been state bodies of the Irish government
.
The body comprises one half of The North/South Language Body
, which was formed as a cross-border implementation body under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement to oversee the furtherance of the native languages of the island of Ireland. Foras na Gaeilge promotes Irish, and its counterpart Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch
promotes Ulster Scots.
The body also serves an advisory role in matters pertaining to the Irish language in both the public and private sectors in the Republic of Ireland
(where Irish is the first official language
) and Northern Ireland
(where Irish is a regional language
). The largest series of events core-funded by Foras na Gaeilge is Seachtain na Gaeilge
(English: Irish (language) week), in the run up to St Patrick's Day with events held throughout the world.
Foras na Gaeilge also creates terminology to add to the Irish language.
Irish language
Irish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...
, responsible for the promotion of the language throughout the island of Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. Its name can be translated into English as "The Irish Language Body", although the body has no official English-language name. It was set up on 2 December 1999, assuming the roles of Bord na Gaeilge, An Gúm
An Gúm
An Gúm was an Irish state company tasked with the publication of Irish literature, especially educational materials.The agency is now part of Foras na Gaeilge. Its mission statement is "To produce publications and resources in support of Irish-medium education and of the use of Irish in general."...
, and An Coiste Téarmaíochta, which had formerly been state bodies of the Irish government
Irish Government
The Government of Ireland is the cabinet that exercises executive authority in Ireland.-Members of the Government:Membership of the Government is regulated fundamentally by the Constitution of Ireland. The Government is headed by a prime minister called the Taoiseach...
.
The body comprises one half of The North/South Language Body
The North/South Language Body
The North/South Language Body is an implementation body, provided for by the Belfast Agreement, that exists to implement policies agreed by Ministers in the North/South Ministerial Council in Ireland with regard to the Irish and Ulster-Scots languages.It is a single body reporting to the...
, which was formed as a cross-border implementation body under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement to oversee the furtherance of the native languages of the island of Ireland. Foras na Gaeilge promotes Irish, and its counterpart Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch
Ulster-Scots Agency
The Ulster-Scots Agency is a cross-border body in Ireland which seeks "promote the study, conservation and development of Ulster-Scots as a living language; to encourage and develop the full range of its attendant culture; and to promote an understanding of the history of the Ulster-Scots...
promotes Ulster Scots.
The body also serves an advisory role in matters pertaining to the Irish language in both the public and private sectors in the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
(where Irish is the first official language
Official language
An official language is a language that is given a special legal status in a particular country, state, or other jurisdiction. Typically a nation's official language will be the one used in that nation's courts, parliament and administration. However, official status can also be used to give a...
) and Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
(where Irish is a regional language
Regional language
A regional language is a language spoken in an area of a nation state, whether it be a small area, a federal state or province, or some wider area....
). The largest series of events core-funded by Foras na Gaeilge is Seachtain na Gaeilge
Seachtain na Gaeilge
Seachtain na Gaeilge is a non-profit organisation which aims to promote the Irish language during a two week festival held at the beginning of March every year...
(English: Irish (language) week), in the run up to St Patrick's Day with events held throughout the world.
Foras na Gaeilge also creates terminology to add to the Irish language.
See also
- Irish language in Northern IrelandIrish language in Northern IrelandThe Irish language is a minority language in Northern Ireland. The dialect spoken there is known as Ulster Irish....
- European Charter for Regional or Minority LanguagesEuropean Charter for Regional or Minority LanguagesThe European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages is a European treaty adopted in 1992 under the auspices of the Council of Europe to protect and promote historical regional and minority languages in Europe...
- British-Irish CouncilBritish-Irish CouncilThe British–Irish Council is an international organisation established under the Belfast Agreement in 1998, and formally established on 2 December 1999 on the entry into force of the consequent legislation...
- Languages in the United KingdomLanguages in the United KingdomThe de facto official language of the United Kingdom is English, which is spoken as the primary language of 95% of the UK population. Welsh is the second most spoken language in the United Kingdom.-Living:...
- Language revivalLanguage revivalLanguage revitalization, language revival or reversing language shift is the attempt by interested parties, including individuals, cultural or community groups, governments, or political authorities, to reverse the decline of a language. If the decline is severe, the language may be endangered,...
- Bòrd na GàidhligBòrd na GàidhligBòrd na Gàidhlig is a quango appointed by the Scottish Government with responsibility for Scottish Gaelic...
- Scottish Gaelic board - Cornish Language PartnershipCornish Language PartnershipThe Cornish Language Partnership is a representative body that was set up in Cornwall, United Kingdom in 2005 to promote and develop the use of the Cornish language in Cornwall...
- Welsh Language BoardWelsh Language BoardThe Welsh Language Board is a statutory body set up by the UK Government as part of the Welsh Language Act 1993. It is now an Assembly Sponsored Public Body...