Profile: Bríd Higgins Ní Chinnéide
Age: 25
Status: Journalism masters student; fluent Irish speaker
Q: Where did u first learn Irish?
A:I went to a gaelscoil- Coláiste Íosagán in Stillorgan and used to speak it around the house growing up
Q: Would you send your children to gaelscoil?
A: Definitely- it’s a great way to learn the language and develop a real love for it
Q: Do you still speak Irish? How often?
A:Yes I do, not that often though… about once or twice a fortnight
Q: Do you think that making Irish an official language of the Eu will raise its
status in real terms?
A: No – getting official language status is exactly that- a status symbol. So much of what surrounds the Irish language is symbolic
Q: Do you think that the image of the language has changed in recent years?
A:Its image has improved. Like everything it benefits from more sophisticated
pr and marketing. However it’s important that this sexier image translates
into Irish being used more. I doubt it does significantly. Image is not
everything; it needs to be coupled with more effective education.
Q: What is your vision for Irish in the future?
I think that people will continue to take a cultural interest and pride in it, but I doubt that the number of native speakers will grow
