Official status of languages in the United Kingdom and Ireland

Síthigh, Daithí Mac

doi:10.1177/1473779518773642

Cited by 7 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…The French constitutional provision “French is the language of the Republic” is an example of language status planning, which seeks to restore (partially) lost territories through some coercive sphere of society ( Bakmand, 1999 ). Mac Síthigh (2018) elaborated the constitutional implications of the status of language and official language, highlighted the effect of decentralization within the United Kingdom, and made an in-depth study of the relationship between language, territory, and identity. Choudhry (2009) took South Asia as an example, illustrated the possibility of governing linguistic nationalism through constitutional design.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

The framework and features of language policies in global constitutional texts

2023

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Language policy, which is directly concerned with language practice, language ideology and language management, has become increasingly important in real social life. Explicit language policies in different fields, such as texts in law, education, and the public, have been explored for many years. However, the global comparative research on language policies in various constitutional texts (CT) is quite limited. In response, the present study aimed to investigate the framework and features of language policies in global CT through a combination of qualitative and quantitative analysis. Results showed that: 1) there were seven parts of the CT dealing with language policies, such as Preamble, General principle, The state, Fundamental rights and Duties of citizen, State authority, National objectives, and Supplementary; 2) there existed significant differences in the frequency of language policies in seven parts of the CT. Among them, language policies appeared most frequently in the part of Fundamental rights and duties of citizen; 3) the geographical location where the Constitution was enacted affected the distribution of language policies across parts. Overall, our findings suggested that the language policy in CT was influenced not only by constitutional principles, but also by the national language environment.

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Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

The framework and features of language policies in global constitutional texts

2023

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“…Another contentious area of non-implementation of commitments in the 1998 Agreement relates to the status of the Irish language in Northern Ireland. Under the 1998 Agreement, the Irish language is promoted, and its use facilitated in public and private life (RSE 4), disagreement over provisions for minority languages and the necessity for an Irish Language Act in Northern Ireland was one of the issues that led to the collapse of the Northern Ireland Executive in January 2017, the NDNA set out a series of measures to address the provision for minority language rights in Northern Ireland (see Mac Síthigh, 2018).…”

Section: Constitutional Status Reaffirmedmentioning

confidence: 99%

Brexit and the Northern Ireland Constitution

Whitten

2023

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This book considers the intersection of two processes: the complex and constitutional process of the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union—Brexit—and the steady yet fragile development of the Northern Ireland constitution deriving, primarily, from the Belfast ‘Good Friday’ Agreement of 1998. Interdisciplinary in approach, the analysis draws on legal and political theory to develop a novel framework for assessing the progressive impact of Brexit on the Northern Ireland constitution based on systematic definitions of both. This approach elucidates dynamics and implications not yet considered in the otherwise extensive debates on Brexit and Northern Ireland. Based on detailed analysis of the Brexit process, it is argued that its impact on the constitution of Northern Ireland has been profound. Fundamentally, Brexit changed the political and legal environment in which the Northern Ireland constitution had existed for over twenty years. Embracing ‘constructive ambiguity’, the 1998 Agreement recognises and accommodates the concerns of both Unionists and Nationalists in Northern Ireland; it did not therefore solve the constitutional conflict but rather allowed it to be managed differently through an innovative system of multi-levelled governance: within Northern Ireland (power-sharing devolution), on the island of Ireland (North–South cooperation), and between the islands of Great Britain and Ireland (East–West cooperation), all underpinned by a multifaceted principle of constitutional, popular, and cross-community consent. By forcing a paradigmatic shift in the way that the architecture established by the 1998 Agreement operates, Brexit disrupted the ‘constructively ambiguous’ compromise it represents. Completed two years after the legal implementation of UK withdrawal from the EU, the book concludes by considering the potential longer-term constitutional repercussions of Brexit both within and beyond Northern Ireland’s recently (in)famous borders.

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“…In Belgium, Finland and the UK, where more than one language is officially recognised, citizenship applicants may choose the language in which they wish to demonstrate their proficiency. As discussed above, UK law provides that naturalisation applicants may prove proficiency in Welsh and Scottish Gaelic, in addition to English, although as discussed earlier there is some debate as to whether proving knowledge of Welsh or Scottish Gaelic is effectively provided for in practice (Mac Síthigh, 2018).…”

Section: Irish Languagementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Successful participant organisations in a bid organised by the Home Office are included in the list of providers. It should be mentioned, nonetheless, that the status of Welsh and Scottish Gaelic is not clear since 2013 reforms(Mac Síthigh, 2018).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Supporting integration? International practices on civics and language requirements linked to naturalisation: policy implications for Ireland

Groarke¹,

Polakowski²,

Quinn³

et al. 2020

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The mission of the Economic and Social Research Institute is to advance evidencebased policymaking that supports economic sustainability and social progress in Ireland. ESRI researchers apply the highest standards of academic excellence to challenges facing policymakers, focusing on 12 areas of critical importance to 21 st Century Ireland. The Institute was founded in 1960 by a group of senior civil servants led by Dr T.K. Whitaker, who identified the need for independent and in-depth research analysis to provide a robust evidence base for policymaking in Ireland. Since then, the Institute has remained committed to independent research and its work is free of any expressed ideology or political position. The Institute publishes all research reaching the appropriate academic standard, irrespective of its findings or who funds the research. The quality of its research output is guaranteed by a rigorous peer review process. ESRI researchers are experts in their fields and are committed to producing work that meets the highest academic standards and practices. The work of the Institute is disseminated widely in books, journal articles and reports. ESRI publications are available to download, free of charge, from its website. Additionally, ESRI staff communicate research findings at regular conferences and seminars. The ESRI is a company limited by guarantee, answerable to its members and governed by a Council, comprising 14 members who represent a cross-section of ESRI members from academia, civil services, state agencies, businesses and civil society. The Institute receives an annual grant-in-aid from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to support the scientific and public interest elements of the Institute's activities; the grant accounted for an average of 30 per cent of the Institute's income over the lifetime of the last Research Strategy. The remaining funding comes from research programmes supported by government departments and agencies, public bodies and competitive research programmes.

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Official status of languages in the United Kingdom and Ireland

Cited by 7 publications

References 39 publications

The framework and features of language policies in global constitutional texts

The framework and features of language policies in global constitutional texts

Brexit and the Northern Ireland Constitution

Supporting integration? International practices on civics and language requirements linked to naturalisation: policy implications for Ireland

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