Poetry Unbound Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill — Ceist na Teangan (The Language Issue)
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Nov 20, 2020 Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill, a renowned Irish poet, passionately tackles the pressing issue of language preservation. She reflects on the fragility of lesser-spoken languages and the urgent need for nurturing, likening it to the story of Moses. The conversation dives into the intricate ties between language, culture, and identity, particularly in the context of women's voices. Nuala shares heartfelt stories and poetic nuances of the Irish language, emphasizing hope for revitalization and the beauty found in linguistic heritage.
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The Language Issue
- Ní Dhomhnaill's poem uses the metaphor of Moses in the bulrushes to depict the vulnerability of the Irish language.
- It highlights the hope for its survival, even by an "enemy."
History of Irish
- The Irish language, once widely spoken, faced suppression through laws and policies.
- Despite this, it has been revived by people from diverse backgrounds, not just one religious group.
Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill's upbringing
- Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill, born in England to Irish parents, was sent to Ireland at age five.
- She considers the Irish language her home, a central theme in her poem "The Language Issue."