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Hokitika Guardian, 20 October 1925, Page 3

IRISH A DEAD LANGUAGE. LONDON. September I. A few years ago there was widespread enthusiasm for the Irish language in the I" rcc Suite. In-da* ' the majority of the people are either indifferent, or actively hostile Vo the Government's revival policy, and the chances of an I risli-speakiug Ireland are vanishing.

|„ an early aeiess of enthusiasm ihe Free Stale Government did everything in Irish, even going lo the length of translating the names of its senators into the native tongue.

Thus Lord Glenavy became Seamas Cambeal, Banin l.nimaibhidh : Lord I lead flirt lieeann- Sea fra Tailliur. Mareuis dim Lois; the Karl o, Mayo was disguised as An Bureaeh, Lulu Mliui.gfien, and the identity of Mrs Costello was hidden under the lenrsome cloak ,f Fiblilin Bean Mac ( oisdcalblia. In addition to ibis—to which, incidentally. nobody paid the slightest attention—Hie em lives of places were changed. Yet Dun l.aoghaire is still ■iroiiouiieeil Kingstown, Luimncach is still Limerick, and Bade atn h-I is still Alhy.

An interesting dispute i- in progress ivor Bray, the so-called Brighton of Ireland. As Bray it was well known across the Channel and had many British visitors every summer. Few recognised Bri Chuallan. however, and the local ratepayers are hogging the county councillors to bate the name changed back again to Bray. The whole business has become a farce. In terms of the western law courts the legal term “Crown side” actually was done into Irish by two Coolie words meaning literally “the King's rib." Witnesses were advised to address an Irish-speaking judge as A Heerna.” which does not mean ■■Your lordship.” hut is. in fact, an invocation to the Piety.