[ILUG] my comments on the constitution

[ptmacr]

Sent: 24 March 2000 09:59
Subject: Re: [ILUG] my comments on the constitution



 My suggestion was a simple one: use the Irish-language version of the
officers' titles as a painless but potent-enough way of linking to cultural
roots. There was no question of declaring Irish (or English) as "the
official language" of the group.

Irish people and those of other nationalities should have equal legal and
civil rights to use either or both languages as they wish in communication
here, while respecting the other person's rights and ability to communicate
comfortably that langauge - equality, give and take.

David Murphy's suggestion (perhaps tongue stuck in cheek) of making English
the ILUG "official" langauge recalls the Statutes of Kilkenny and later the
woes of poor old Sir Henry Sidney and Sir John Davies who cried bitter tears
complaining to their "Most Gracious Sovereign and Lord etc" how the
ill-affected natives of the 'conquered' colony refused to just roll over and
become 'civilised' and 'dacent' through abandoning all aspects of their
native culture.

And finally, remember our grandparents were made learn by rote to thank "the
goodness and the grace" that in their day made them each "a happy English
child". Definitley - tongue in cheek!

P T Mac Ruairi