Abstract
Given the existing relations between language attitudes and linguistic competence, and places in the bilingual context of the Republic of Ireland (Irish/English) the goal of the present study is twofold: first, attitudes towards the Irish language are described, and second, variables that can explain such attitudes are studied. These include: family language, linguistic proficiency in Irish, residence (Gaeltacht vs. Galltacht), cultural identity, socio-educational background and gender. In addition, attitudes towards Irish and English will be compared.
A questionnaire that had been successfully used in other areas was adapted and used in a sample of 62 adult speakers of Irish, about half of them (N=27) coming from traditionally Irish-speaking areas, or Gaeltacht, and the other half (N=35) coming from English-speaking areas, or Galltacht. 33 females and 29 males took part in the study. The mean age was M=35.5, SD=10.35. All participants had undergone secondary education in the Republic of Ireland.
Globally, results show neutral attitudes towards Irish and somewhat unfavourable attitudes towards English. The information of the participants’ attitudes to the Irish language proved not to be correlated with any of the independent variables.
Possible intervening variables, unaccounted for in the questionnaire design, were suspected to be responsible for shaping the respondents’ Irish language attitudes. An open-ended question in the survey revealed great dissatisfaction over the way Irish is taught in schools as well as lament over the lack of opportunities to use the language in an everyday context.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Literature Review: Language attitudes in perspective
- 2.1 The Cognitive-Affective-Behaviour Model of Attitudes (1960)
- 2.2 The Socio-Educational Model (1985)
- 2.3 Critique of the Socio-Educational Model
- 2.4 The interrelation of language attitude and language acquisition
- 2.5 Irish Language Surveys in the historical context
- 2.6 Hypotheses
- 3. Methodology
- 3.1 Questionnaire
- 3.1.1 Distribution and response rate
- 3.1.2 The Questionnaire Design
- 3.2 Participants
- 3.3 Data protection and research ethics
- 3.3.1 Data protection
- 3.3.2 Research ethics
- 3.4 Data Analysis
- 3.1 Questionnaire
- 4. Findings
- 4.1 Irish language attitudes
- 4.2 Irish language attitudes and county of origin
- 4.3 Attitudes towards Irish and English
- 4.4 Irish language attitudes and Irish linguistic proficiency
- 4.5 The role of cultural identity in the formation of language attitudes
- 4.6 The role of family language in the formation of language attitudes
- 4.7 The role of gender and education in forming attitudes towards Irish
- 4.8 Personal accounts of the importance of the Irish language
- 5. Summary and discussion
- 5.1 Summary of results
- 5.2 Possible intervening variables
- 5.2.1 Irish instruction in school
- 5.2.2 Lack of opportunities to speak Irish
- 5.3 Attitudes towards Irish and English
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This study aims to investigate the origins and development of language attitudes towards the Irish language in the Republic of Ireland. It explores the historical context of these attitudes and examines the factors influencing them.
- The historical evolution of attitudes towards the Irish language.
- The influence of socio-educational factors on language attitudes.
- The relationship between language attitudes and language proficiency.
- The role of cultural identity and family language background in shaping attitudes.
- The impact of gender and education on attitudes towards the Irish language.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the research topic, outlining the significance of studying language attitudes towards Irish in the Republic of Ireland. It sets the stage for the subsequent literature review, methodology, and findings, providing a concise overview of the study's aims and scope.
2. Literature Review: Language attitudes in perspective: This chapter provides a comprehensive review of relevant literature on language attitudes, focusing on key models such as the Cognitive-Affective-Behaviour Model and the Socio-Educational Model. It critically examines these models, discussing their strengths and weaknesses in the context of Irish language attitudes. The chapter also explores the historical context of Irish language surveys and sets the stage for the study's hypotheses.
3. Methodology: This chapter details the research methodology employed, including the design and distribution of the questionnaire, the characteristics of the participants, and the data analysis techniques used. It thoroughly addresses data protection and research ethics, ensuring the integrity and validity of the study's findings. The chapter focuses on explaining the steps taken to ensure a robust and reliable research process.
4. Findings: This chapter presents the findings of the study, analyzing the data collected through the questionnaire. It explores various aspects of Irish language attitudes, considering the influence of factors such as county of origin, linguistic proficiency, cultural identity, family language background, gender, and education. The chapter provides detailed analysis of the data, highlighting key trends and patterns observed in the responses.
5. Summary and discussion: This chapter summarizes the key findings of the study and discusses their implications. It examines potential intervening variables that might influence attitudes towards the Irish language, such as school instruction and opportunities to speak the language. The chapter provides a detailed interpretation of the results, putting them in the context of the existing literature and highlighting significant contributions to the field.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Irish language, language attitudes, Republic of Ireland, socio-educational model, cognitive-affective-behaviour model, cultural identity, language proficiency, gender, education, linguistic surveys.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the main focus of this study?
This study investigates the origins and development of language attitudes towards the Irish language in the Republic of Ireland. It explores the historical context of these attitudes and examines the factors influencing them.
What models are discussed in the literature review?
The literature review examines the Cognitive-Affective-Behaviour Model and the Socio-Educational Model of language attitudes, critically analyzing their strengths and weaknesses in relation to attitudes towards the Irish language.
What methodology was used in this research?
The research employed a questionnaire, detailing its design, distribution, and response rate. The methodology section also describes the participant characteristics, data analysis techniques, and measures taken to ensure data protection and research ethics.
What factors influencing attitudes towards the Irish language are investigated?
The study investigates the influence of several factors on attitudes towards the Irish language, including county of origin, linguistic proficiency, cultural identity, family language background, gender, and education.
What are the key findings of the study?
The findings chapter presents a detailed analysis of the data collected, highlighting key trends and patterns in attitudes towards the Irish language based on the factors mentioned above. Specific results regarding attitudes towards Irish and English are also presented.
What are the key themes explored in this study?
Key themes include the historical evolution of attitudes towards the Irish language, the influence of socio-educational factors, the relationship between language attitudes and proficiency, the role of cultural identity and family language background, and the impact of gender and education on these attitudes.
What is included in the chapter summaries?
Chapter summaries provide concise overviews of each chapter's content, including the introduction, literature review, methodology, findings, and summary and discussion sections.
What is the purpose of the introduction chapter?
The introduction sets the research context, explaining the importance of studying language attitudes towards Irish and outlining the study's aims and scope.
What is the purpose of the summary and discussion chapter?
The final chapter summarizes the key findings, discusses their implications, explores potential intervening variables (such as school instruction and opportunities to speak Irish), and provides a detailed interpretation of the results in relation to existing literature.
What are the keywords associated with this study?
Keywords include: Irish language, language attitudes, Republic of Ireland, socio-educational model, cognitive-affective-behaviour model, cultural identity, language proficiency, gender, education, linguistic surveys.
What are the objectives of the study?
The study aims to investigate the origins and development of language attitudes towards the Irish language in the Republic of Ireland, exploring the historical context and factors influencing these attitudes.
What is the structure of the Table of Contents?
The table of contents provides a detailed breakdown of the study's structure, including chapters and sub-chapters covering an introduction, literature review, methodology, findings, and summary and discussion.
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- Sandra Beyer (Autor), 2005, Origins and development of language attitudes towards the Irish language in the Republic of Ireland, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/145132
