The "half story" concept makes me think of "the dog ate my homework" type anecdotes. I have a lot of complex feelings about apologies, there were so many episodes in my childhood of apologies being demanded then being chided for them being insincere. This may help.
Yes! I was thinking of that anecdote as well when I wrote this essay. Although I didn’t include it in the end. This is why “half a story” is so honest and direct. At least Irish directly recognizes that it’s half a story.
This is not only beautifully written and reasoned, but it makes me understand more deeply why I am the way I am as a product of a culture and life perspective that has formed me even in America. And I’m the better for it!
That video clip is really interesting. Have you come across the work of Franz Fanon ‘The Wretched of the Earth’ talks about how the pov of the coloniser is internalised by the colonised. Of course a key part of doing that is language - replacing Irish with English was a key step in my opinion.
Absolutely! This is something I’ve spoken about before: the English language was a threat to British colonialism not only because it helped the Irish maintain their sense of cultural identity, but because aspects of the Irish language itself directly threaten principles of the colonial project. This is partly why I think Edmund Spencer found the Irish language so offensive. And yes, I love Fanon’s work — not read it for decades —since working on my PhD —but still very much appreciate it!! I love all the connections you’re making! We are definitely on the same page :-)
The "half story" concept makes me think of "the dog ate my homework" type anecdotes. I have a lot of complex feelings about apologies, there were so many episodes in my childhood of apologies being demanded then being chided for them being insincere. This may help.
Yes! I was thinking of that anecdote as well when I wrote this essay. Although I didn’t include it in the end. This is why “half a story” is so honest and direct. At least Irish directly recognizes that it’s half a story.
Scríobh tú alt álainn! Is aoibhinn liom é. Gabh mo leithscéal níos fearr ná "excuse me." Tá Gaeilge chomh álainn agus cineálta!
GRMA! Agus cinnte—álainn, cineálta agus níos macánta agus níos feasaí!!
This is not only beautifully written and reasoned, but it makes me understand more deeply why I am the way I am as a product of a culture and life perspective that has formed me even in America. And I’m the better for it!
That video clip is really interesting. Have you come across the work of Franz Fanon ‘The Wretched of the Earth’ talks about how the pov of the coloniser is internalised by the colonised. Of course a key part of doing that is language - replacing Irish with English was a key step in my opinion.
Absolutely! This is something I’ve spoken about before: the English language was a threat to British colonialism not only because it helped the Irish maintain their sense of cultural identity, but because aspects of the Irish language itself directly threaten principles of the colonial project. This is partly why I think Edmund Spencer found the Irish language so offensive. And yes, I love Fanon’s work — not read it for decades —since working on my PhD —but still very much appreciate it!! I love all the connections you’re making! We are definitely on the same page :-)