The Bigger PictureHow we use language affects how we think. Since each language has its own unique way of organising and expressing itself, what language we speak dictates how our mind operates. The more languages we speak, then, the more flexibility we gain in our thinking, writes Shalini Sinha
I wanted my son to be more than bi-lingual. I wanted him to have many languages, not to further some economic purpose but to open his mind. The fact that he is Irish, Indian and born in the West, gives him an automatic licence to multiple languages.
Having a personal relationship with a language makes a difference in learning it. After all, we are connecting to the wisdoms of a people through language, particularly if it has ancient roots. When the language is one of our own inheritance, we can connect even more.
Furthermore, there is much to a language that isn't "taught", that goes beyond vocabulary and grammar. This comes from context - the life of which the language is a part. Connecting with the identity allows us access to this 'life', and so adds a new dimension to how we learn and communicate through it.
I grew up in Canada, a Hindi speaker, and have spoken this consistently to my son since he was born. Even so, as I am a lone voice, his acquisition of my language is not inevitable. It requires conscious thought and effort, and still he may not fully integrate it. I know because I've seen this among other Indians born and raised in Canada.
Thus, while I could have chosen to send my child to an Educate Together school - where he might learn aspects of a variety of cultures, including mine, as part of his curriculum - I chose to send him to gaelscoil so he would naturally become an Irish speaker. I know my culture isn't really at risk. However, without immersion, language acquisition is.
I fully support immersion, and early immersion. It is the most beautiful, fair and painless way to receive a language - it is the most natural way - and I am saddened by the circular by our Minister for Education to compel our gaelscoileanna to give up their early immersion policy and begin teaching the language of English in junior infants by January.
English in this country is not at risk. Irish, however, is. Even speaking Hindi at home and Irish in school, I have no worries at all about my son's acquisition of English. Hindi was my first language and I am completely articulate in English. Living in an English-speaking country, it is simply impossible for a child not to be.
Why? Because they are immersed in it. It is fully and completely everywhere. The rest of our languages are at risk, however.
There is something interesting about the three languages my child is inheriting: they each happen to represent three completely different verb-noun structures. In Hindi, the verb comes at the end of the sentence. In English, it is in the middle. In Gaelic, it comes at the beginning.
Fluency in all three of these languages, then, must give one a structural and conceptual flexibility in the mind that simply cannot be taught. What can be taught, and gained later, is a clarification of grammar and a strengthening of reading skills.
When I learned Irish dancing for Celebrity Jigs 'n' Reels, one point that came across clearly was how I had no pre-conceived notions towards the culture or the dance. As a result, I was able to see it for what it was: an intelligently developed craft and incredible musical expression. This is a fact about this dance, and has not been influenced by either positively or negatively by historical experiences.
Needless to say, this State is suffering tremendously with its feelings for the Irish language. The struggle has permeated individuals' abilities to learn it, teach it and share it across to non-speakers. The gaelscoil infants immersion policy removes these factors from play, and delivers the language to young people naturally, beautifully and "trauma" free.
Not every Irish person needs to learn Irish, but the Republic should have the right to recover Irish for its people. Certainly, its Government shouldn't stand in its way on this point.
Personally, I think it warrants the formation of separate policy in relation to the gaelscoileanna. They deserve that.
While our Minister for Education needn't repeal her judgment based on my personal experience, it seems research from at least Canada, the UK and the Basque country confirm my experience and the value of early immersion.
It is ironic that England - the country responsible for removing Irish from the people here - now acknowledges that early immersion is the best means of recovering one's language. I, certainly, would feel it a personal loss if this policy were removed from us against local advice and international research.
If you are interested in learning more or showing your support, click onto the "Total Early Immersion" link at www.gaelscoileanna.ie.
www.shalinisinha.com