‘To Be British, Irish, or Both’: Understanding Language Rights as a Tool for Reconciliation in Northern Ireland

Abstract

Language rights and the official recognition of languages other than English have proved a source of tension in political negotiations in Northern Ireland. The recognition of Irish and the provision of rights for Irish users have been portrayed as representing an unacceptable elevation of ‘republican’ or ‘nationalist’ values. While an agreement to provide for language rights was included in the ‘New Decade, New Approach’ agreement, subsequent legislative change has been lacking. Building on existing work that queries bright-line associations between linguistic, political and community identities in Northern Ireland, this article traces the development of language rights in the jurisdiction and argues that official languages legislation has potential as a source for reconciliation. The article also argues that such an approach to language rights can offer a coherent basis from which to establish new models for constitutional linguistic recognition in a united Ireland or in a newly constituted Northern Irish state.