Irish - Aiste: Gaeilge

INTRODUCTION

It's clear to the blind, that Irish has an important role in Irish life - and in international affairs too.

Tá sé soiléir don dall go bhfuil ról tábhachtach ag an nGaeilge i saol na hÉireann - agus i gcúrsaí idirnáisiúnta freisin.

It's part of our history and culture.

Is cuid den stair agus den chultúr í.

However, on the other hand, there is constant debate about the current state of the Irish language — how alive is it really?

Ach, ar an taobh eile den scéal, bíonn díospóireacht leanúnach ann faoi staid na Gaeilge sa lá atá inniu ann — cé chomh beo is atá sí?

Therefore, I intend to take a balanced approach to this topic

Mar sin, tá sé ar intinn agam cur chuige cothrom a ghlacadh don ábhar seo

I would like to shine a light on the importance of the Irish language, the problems it faces, and what can be done in the future.

Ba mhaith liom solas a dhíriú ar an tábhacht atá ag an nGaeilge, na fadhbanna atá aici, agus cad is féidir a dhéanamh sa todhchaí

Alt 1 - Tábhacht na Gaeilge / Importance of Irish

Irish is the native language of this country.

Is í an Ghaeilge teanga dhúchais na tíre seo.

It's connected to Ireland's music, stories and traditions.

Tá sí ceangailte le ceol, scéalta agus traidisiúin na hÉireann.

There are more Irish schools now and young people are more interested in Irish.

Tá níos mó gaelscoileanna ann anois agus tá daoine óga níos suime sa Ghaeilge.

We see more young people learning the language now, which gives hope for the future.

Feictear níos mó daoine óga ag foghlaim na teanga anois, rud a thugann dóchas don todhchaí.

There are also podcasts, TV shows and TikTok accounts in Irish.

Tá podchraoltaí, cláracha teilifíse agus cuntais TikTok as Gaeilge ann freisin.

If Irish gets support, it can stay alive.

Má fhaigheann an Ghaeilge tacaíocht, is féidir léi fanacht beo.

Alt 2 - Na Fadhbanna / The Problems

Unfortunately, not everything is perfect. Irish also has big problems.

Ar an drochuair, níl gach rud foirfe. Tá fadhbanna móra ag an nGaeilge freisin.

The number of speakers in the Gaeltacht is going down.

Tá líon na gcainteoirí sa Ghaeltacht ag laghdú.

Public services aren't properly available in Irish in many places.

Níl seirbhísí poiblí ar fáil i gceart trí Ghaeilge i go leor áiteanna.

TG4 and Raidió na Gaeltachta are good, but English is much stronger in the media.

Tá TG4 agus Raidió na Gaeltachta go maith, ach tá an Béarla i bhfad níos láidre sna meáin.

Irish isn't seen much in international matters.

Níl an Ghaeilge le feiceáil mórán i gcúrsaí idirnáisiúnta.

ALT 3 - Réitigh agus Todhchaí na Gaeilge

Not everything is bleak, however. There are solutions.

Níl gach rud dorcha, áfach. Tá réitigh ann.

We must provide more teachers and resources.

Caithfimid tuilleadh múinteoirí agus acmhainní a chur ar fáil.

The government should do more — talk is not enough.

Ba cheart don rialtas tuilleadh a dhéanamh, ní leor cainte.

Irish can be used in business, in sport, and online.

Is féidir an Ghaeilge a úsáid i ngnó, i spórt agus ar líne.

If young people use it on YouTube and TikTok, it will stay alive in the future

Má úsáideann daoine óga í ar YouTube agus TikTok, beidh sí beo sa todhchaí.

It cannot be denied that Irish holds great value and importance in today's world.

Ní féidir a shéanadh ach go bhfuil luach agus fiúntas nach beag ag baint leis an nGaeilge i saol an lae inniu.

We must face the problems — decline in the Gaeltacht, lack of speaking opportunities, and lack of investment.

Caithfimid aghaidh a thabhairt ar na fadhbanna — meath sa Ghaeltacht, easpa deiseanna cainte, agus easpa infheistíochta.

But at the same time, we must not give up.

Ach, ag an am céanna, níor cheart dúinn éirí as.

As the proverb says: "A language lives through being spoken." And if it lives, so too will much of our culture, our heritage, and our heart.

Mar a deir an seanfhocal: "Beatha teanga í a labhairt." Agus má mhaireann sí, mairfidh cuid mhór dár gcultúr, dár n-oidhreacht agus dár gcroí.