Sir, - As a Canadian resident/American citizen here for a few weeks to do an Irish course, it greatly warmed my heart to read Seβn ╙ Riain's Irish-language column on the Navajo code-talkers of the second World War ("Teanga chogaidh", Beocheist, August 16th). After all, the political and socio-economic situation of Irish shares a great deal with that of North America's aboriginal languages.
Indeed, if I may be forgiven the presumption of an outsider to both cultures, it seems to me that your Minister's time would be far better spent talking language revitalisation with that continent's aboriginal leaders rather than with Canada's federal government.
I truly hope for the day that matters pertaining to the first nations of North America are discussed regularly in the Irish language, both in the pages of The Irish Times and at the highest levels of your Government. - Yours, etc.,
Jerry White, Edmonton, Alberta.