Míle Míle i gCéin - The Irish Language in Canada - Danny Doyle

Leabhar suimiúl ar an Ghaeilge i gCeanada ón am a thóg na hÉireannaigh leo i trasna an Atlantaigh go dti an lá inniu ann agus athbhunú na Gaeltachta san lá atá inniu ann. Is fiú a léamh.

This is a historical overview of the Irish language in Canada, including the pre and post famine periods, the decline of the language by 1900, and its limited modern revival. Historical notes on the state of the language in Ireland accompany the Canadian timeline to show the causes of the language’s spread and decline. While much more widely spoken in Canadian society than has been previously acknowledged, following the Famine, the use of the language was deliberately hidden by its speakers from their children, with most of its history being obscured from the folk record within two generations. Included in original Irish, as well as through translation, are the scarce remaining accounts written in Irish Gaelic in and about Canada, including songs, poetry and stories.

A history of the spread, decline and demise of the Irish language in Canada serves as a reminder of the tragedy of language loss, while also allowing for a richer understanding of Irish-Canadian culture, as well as of global Gaelic culture.