Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Catalan: The Renaissance Of Europe’S “Stateless” Language: A Paradigm For The Irish Language Revival?, Aidan Collins

The ITB Journal

This paper looks at the history of the struggle to keep Catalan – the “stateless” language - alive. Throughout the period of Franco, Catalan suffered almost devastating oppression. It came close to extinction and was kept alive by language enthusiasts determined to preserve an integral part of the Catalan culture. As a result, Catalan today not only survives but flourishes, reaping the benefit of benevolent and progressive government programs. Have we, in Ireland, a lesson to learn from the success of Catalan?