A chara, - Perdita Quinlan (August 28th) wonders how it is that zero per cent of students doing ordinary level Irish in the Leaving Certificate achieved an A1 grade in the years 1996, 1997 and 1998. Perhaps Frank Cheatle's glib letter about TnaG (same date) answers her question somewhat. Sadly, indifference or hostility seem to be the standard responses to anything to do with promoting the Irish language. This manifests itself most clearly in the attitudes of many people who go through the education system. Many students who bend over backwards to do well in French and other European languages disdainfully choose to do ordinary level Irish, striving only to achieve the pass grade required for entry into NUI universities. I did my Leaving Certificate two years ago and I often heard people say: "Why study Irish - it's useless." The Irish language can and should be useful, if only we would make it so. - Is mise,
Austin Duff,
Foxrock Park,
Dublin 18.