Sir, – Denis O'Donoghue (March 30th) remarks on the lack of specificity in the question "Can you speak Irish?" in section 14 of the census. I found it interesting that on the occasion of the last census, which had an identical question, the only query raised by the enumerator, when checking my form on collection, was to ask whether the response of "No" to that question was accurate. I am a language teacher and do not consider elementary Irish as being able to speak the language. I believe that the question is deliberately vaguely worded in order to elicit a "Yes" answer.
In the 2011 census, some 1.77 million people answered “Yes” to the question. Does anyone believe that 1.77 million of us can actually converse in Irish? It is my view that the purpose of such a vague question is to justify continued state investment in the Irish language. It would be far better if reality were faced and the issue of the failure to inspire a love for our language were honestly addressed. – Yours, etc,
VALERIN YEATON,
Dublin 4.