The Thread of BREXIT

[DRSB]

And how many Irishmen or Irishwomen?

[Svartalf]

European SUPERSTATE to be unveiled: EU nations 'to be morphed into one' post-Brexit

http://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/ ... ate-Brexit

maybe in 50 years, if ever... France renouncing its own army and control over the nuclear weapon, yeah, right, even a thrice damned fool like hollande would not do it, and he won't stay in office long enough to do such a thing anyway. Nobody else will follow such an extreme policy.

[Scot Dutchy]

I just wonder who will ever read all these Gaelic documents, as I guess the MEPs and civil servants all prefer English anyway

There are plenty snobby Gaels who would love to read it. The problem with Gaelic is that Irish and Scots Gaelic are different written.

it's not just a matter of spelling, plenty of vocabulary variances too, and I don't know about grammar... but I don't think even an Ulster Gaelic speaker can still understand a Scottish Gaelic speaker

I know but they can understand each other. My wife (as all Irish are but very few use it) is a Gaelic speaker. Her sister has a degree in Irish Gaelic which is just referred to as Irish. Scots Gaelic is more lilting and softer than Irish Gaelic of course neither have anything to do with Welsh, Cornwall or Brittany which are another branch of the family.

[Svartalf]

And how many Irishmen or Irishwomen?

Not that many, I suspect... to most it's a seldom used second language, barring some common expressions used in everyday life... I suspect many Irishfolk have no greater hurry than forgetting what they learned as soon as they leave school, except those that want to work as civil servants or in sectors/areas where the language is actually useful

[Scot Dutchy]

I just wonder who will ever read all these Gaelic documents, as I guess the MEPs and civil servants all prefer English anyway

There are plenty snobby Gaels who would love to read it. The problem with Gaelic is that Irish and Scots Gaelic are different written.

it's not just a matter of spelling, plenty of vocabulary variances too, and I don't know about grammar... but I don't think even an Ulster Gaelic speaker can still understand a Scottish Gaelic speaker

How many Scots exactly speak Gaelic?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scottish_Gaelic 57,375 people. More than I thought.

[DRSB]

About 1%, really impressive!

[Scot Dutchy]

And how many Irishmen or Irishwomen?

Not that many, I suspect... to most it's a seldom used second language, barring some common expressions used in everyday life... I suspect many Irishfolk have no greater hurry than forgetting what they learned as soon as they leave school, except those that want to work as civil servants or in sectors/areas where the language is actually useful

When my wife went to school Irish (as Irish Gaelic is referred to) was compulsory to pass your leaving certificate. You had to pass it or all other subjects would null and void.

There are still plenty of Gaelscoils with new ones opening. If you want to get anywhere in Irish public life it is compulsory to be fluent in Irish.

[Svartalf]

It still is, as far as I know... of course, last time I really checked was 1990.

[Scot Dutchy]

About 1%, really impressive!

I agree. It is very snobby in the Lowlands to speak the gaelic.

[Scot Dutchy]

It still is, as far as I know... of course, last time I really checked was 1990.

Not anymore. It is still a compulsory subject though but just like any other.

[DRSB]

And how many Irishmen or Irishwomen?

Not that many, I suspect... to most it's a seldom used second language, barring some common expressions used in everyday life... I suspect many Irishfolk have no greater hurry than forgetting what they learned as soon as they leave school, except those that want to work as civil servants or in sectors/areas where the language is actually useful

When my wife went to school Irish (as Irish Gaelic is referred to) was compulsory to pass your leaving certificate. You had to pass it or all other subjects would null and void.

There are still plenty of Gaelscoils with new ones opening. If you want to get anywhere in Irish public life it is compulsory to be fluent in Irish.

But all other subjects were taught in English, presumably.

[Scot Dutchy]

And how many Irishmen or Irishwomen?

Not that many, I suspect... to most it's a seldom used second language, barring some common expressions used in everyday life... I suspect many Irishfolk have no greater hurry than forgetting what they learned as soon as they leave school, except those that want to work as civil servants or in sectors/areas where the language is actually useful

When my wife went to school Irish (as Irish Gaelic is referred to) was compulsory to pass your leaving certificate. You had to pass it or all other subjects would null and void.

There are still plenty of Gaelscoils with new ones opening. If you want to get anywhere in Irish public life it is compulsory to be fluent in Irish.

But all other subjects were taught in English, presumably.

Of course. Going to an Irish college in the summer holidays for total immersion on the west coast is very popular.

[DRSB]

I would love that! Totally immerse me on the west coast in the summer holidays, I'll be very diligent about my Irish studies!

[NineBerry]

European SUPERSTATE to be unveiled: EU nations 'to be morphed into one' post-Brexit

http://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/ ... ate-Brexit

maybe in 50 years, if ever... France renouncing its own army and control over the nuclear weapon, yeah, right, even a thrice damned fool like hollande would not do it, and he won't stay in office long enough to do such a thing anyway. Nobody else will follow such an extreme policy.

People moan that the EU is not democratic and ruled by unelected bureaucrats. The only way to do away with that would be having a real European legislature elected by the European people directly and a real European government elected by that European parliament or directly by the European people.

What alternatives are there?

Giving up on the European idea completely? Not good.
Keeping the status quo, where the big countries like Germany and France have such a powerful influence exactly because decisions are made in backrooms by negotiations between the national governments? That is exactly what people criticize about the EU!

[Svartalf]

I would love that! Totally immerse me on the west coast in the summer holidays, I'll be very diligent about my Irish studies!

Same here, I've not had occasion to go back since my days as a student, but I would love to, I need to unrust my Irish