The Loaded WeaponThe Loaded Weapon(Ireland and English)(Ireland and English)

SOE, Chapter 5; CEEL pp. 336-339)SOE, Chapter 5; CEEL pp. 336-339)

--Ireland and its language history--Ireland and its language history

--Features/influence of Irish --Features/influence of Irish

EnglishEnglish

What are the Irish known for?What are the Irish known for?

St. PatrickSt. Patrick– The patron saint and national apostle of The patron saint and national apostle of

IrelandIreland– Credited with bringing Christianity to IrelandCredited with bringing Christianity to Ireland– He wrote:He wrote:

the the ConfessioConfessio, a spiritual autobiography, a spiritual autobiography

EpistolaEpistola, a denunciation of British mistreatment of , a denunciation of British mistreatment of Irish ChristiansIrish Christians

Patrick was born around 385 in Scotland, Patrick was born around 385 in Scotland, probably Kilpatrick. His parents were Calpurnius probably Kilpatrick. His parents were Calpurnius and Conchessa, who were Romans living in and Conchessa, who were Romans living in Britian in charge of the colonies. Britian in charge of the colonies.

As a boy he was captured during a raiding party As a boy he was captured during a raiding party and taken to Ireland as a slave to herd and tend and taken to Ireland as a slave to herd and tend sheep. Ireland at this time was a land of Druids sheep. Ireland at this time was a land of Druids and pagans. He learned the language and and pagans. He learned the language and practices of the people who held him. practices of the people who held him.

Patrick's captivity lasted until he was twenty, when he Patrick's captivity lasted until he was twenty, when he escaped after having a dream from God in which he was escaped after having a dream from God in which he was told to leave Ireland by going to the coast. There he told to leave Ireland by going to the coast. There he found some sailors who took him back to Britain, where found some sailors who took him back to Britain, where he reunited with his family and became a priest. he reunited with his family and became a priest.

Later, Patrick was ordained a bishop, and was sent to Later, Patrick was ordained a bishop, and was sent to take the Gospel to Ireland. One legend says that he met take the Gospel to Ireland. One legend says that he met a chieftain of one of the tribes, who tried to kill Patrick. a chieftain of one of the tribes, who tried to kill Patrick. Patrick converted Dichu (the chieftain) after he was Patrick converted Dichu (the chieftain) after he was unable to move his arm until he became friendly to unable to move his arm until he became friendly to Patrick. Patrick.

Saint Patrick is also known for driving the snakes Saint Patrick is also known for driving the snakes from Irelandfrom Ireland

Snakes in Ireland? Probably a symbol of putting an Snakes in Ireland? Probably a symbol of putting an end to pagan practices in Irelandend to pagan practices in Ireland

There are different accounts of Saint Patrick's deathThere are different accounts of Saint Patrick's deathOne says that Patrick died in Ireland, on March 17, 460 One says that Patrick died in Ireland, on March 17, 460 A.D.A.D.Another account says that St. Patrick ended his days Another account says that St. Patrick ended his days at Glastonbury, England and was buried there. The at Glastonbury, England and was buried there. The Chapel of St. Patrick still exists as part of Glastonbury Chapel of St. Patrick still exists as part of Glastonbury Abbey.Abbey.

Shamrock: Shamrock: said have been used by St. Patrick tosaid have been used by St. Patrick to represent the Trinity.represent the Trinity.

Blarney and the Blarney StoneBlarney and the Blarney Stone

BlarneyBlarney– The “gift of gab” or eloquence in speechThe “gift of gab” or eloquence in speechBlarney StoneBlarney Stone– The stone is believed to be half of the Stone of Scone The stone is believed to be half of the Stone of Scone

which originally belonged to Scotland. Scottish Kings which originally belonged to Scotland. Scottish Kings were crowned over the stone, because it was were crowned over the stone, because it was believed to have special powers.believed to have special powers.

The stone was given to Cormac McCarthy by Robert The stone was given to Cormac McCarthy by Robert the Bruce in 1314 in return for his support in the Battle the Bruce in 1314 in return for his support in the Battle of Bannockburn.of Bannockburn.

Queen Elizabeth I wanted Irish chiefs to agree to Queen Elizabeth I wanted Irish chiefs to agree to occupy their own lands under title from her. It is occupy their own lands under title from her. It is said that Cormac used his eloquent excuses to said that Cormac used his eloquent excuses to placate Queen Elizabeth I and her advancing placate Queen Elizabeth I and her advancing army while still keeping his Gaelic loyaltiesarmy while still keeping his Gaelic loyalties

The Queen eventually grew tired of his fast-The Queen eventually grew tired of his fast-talking and said: "This is all Blarney, he never talking and said: "This is all Blarney, he never means what he says, he never does what he means what he says, he never does what he promises!" promises!"

Kissing the Blarney StoneKissing the Blarney Stone

History of Political Struggles:History of Political Struggles:English occupation in IrelandEnglish occupation in Ireland

1171: Henry II and a group of Anglo-Norman 1171: Henry II and a group of Anglo-Norman knights invaded Ireland and imposed English knights invaded Ireland and imposed English rulerule

1172: the Pope decrees that Henry II is feudal 1172: the Pope decrees that Henry II is feudal lord of Irelandlord of Ireland

The Anglo-Normans who stayed in Ireland did The Anglo-Normans who stayed in Ireland did not spread their language or ways of living. The not spread their language or ways of living. The areas under English control/rule—known as areas under English control/rule—known as “The Pale”—was small “The Pale”—was small

1366: Statues of Kilkenny forbid intermarriage 1366: Statues of Kilkenny forbid intermarriage of English and Irish. Gaelic was culture of English and Irish. Gaelic was culture unsuccessfully suppressed.unsuccessfully suppressed.

1558-1603: (Reign of Elizabeth I) Policy of 1558-1603: (Reign of Elizabeth I) Policy of Plantation to encourage English settlement.Plantation to encourage English settlement.

During this time there was a good deal of During this time there was a good deal of Catholic opposition to the Reformation. Series Catholic opposition to the Reformation. Series of struggles introduced more Protestants. of struggles introduced more Protestants.

1690: Battle of the Boyne1690: Battle of the Boyne– The armies of King William III defeated the The armies of King William III defeated the

Catholic James II, who fled to France. The Catholic James II, who fled to France. The victory is commemorated annually on July 12 victory is commemorated annually on July 12 by Protestants in Northern Ireland. by Protestants in Northern Ireland.

New Anglo-Irish ruling class— New Anglo-Irish ruling class— The The AscendancyAscendancy

Quote from your bookQuote from your book

The Anglo-Irish performed a sort of linguistic The Anglo-Irish performed a sort of linguistic imperialism in this country, largely because to be imperialism in this country, largely because to be Protestant, to be able to speak English, to be Protestant, to be able to speak English, to be culturally linked with England, meant better culturally linked with England, meant better status and better prospects of promotion. status and better prospects of promotion. Adherence to the Protestant cause did great Adherence to the Protestant cause did great damage to the traditional Irishness of this damage to the traditional Irishness of this country. For centuries, to be linked to the country. For centuries, to be linked to the Ascendancy was a meal ticket, a linguistic meal Ascendancy was a meal ticket, a linguistic meal ticket.ticket.

--Lord Henry Mountcharles (SOE, p. 174)--Lord Henry Mountcharles (SOE, p. 174)

More datesMore dates

1804: Act of Union makes Ireland part of the United 1804: Act of Union makes Ireland part of the United KingdomKingdom1916: A failed Easter Monday Rebellion touched off 1916: A failed Easter Monday Rebellion touched off several years of guerrilla warfareseveral years of guerrilla warfare1921: Independence from the UK for 26 southern 1921: Independence from the UK for 26 southern counties; six northern (Ulster) counties remained part of counties; six northern (Ulster) counties remained part of the United Kingdom.the United Kingdom.1948: Ireland withdrew from the British Commonwealth 1948: Ireland withdrew from the British Commonwealth 1973: Ireland officially joined the European Community1973: Ireland officially joined the European Community1999: Good Friday Agreement, a new coalition 1999: Good Friday Agreement, a new coalition government was formed with the British government government was formed with the British government formally transferring governing power to the Northern formally transferring governing power to the Northern Irish Parliament Irish Parliament

Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland

Northern Ireland is composed of 26 districts. Northern Ireland is composed of 26 districts. Together they are commonly called Together they are commonly called UlsterUlster, , though the territory does not include the entire though the territory does not include the entire ancient province of Ulster. It is slightly larger ancient province of Ulster. It is slightly larger than Connecticut.than Connecticut.David Trimble, Protestant leader of the Ulster David Trimble, Protestant leader of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) and winner of the 1998 Unionist Party (UUP) and winner of the 1998 Nobel Peace Prize, became first minister. The Nobel Peace Prize, became first minister. The government has been suspended four times government has been suspended four times since then; it has remained suspended since since then; it has remained suspended since Oct. 14, 2002. Oct. 14, 2002.

Ulster and IrelandUlster and Ireland

History of UlsterHistory of Ulster

In the early seventeenth century Ulster was In the early seventeenth century Ulster was settled by people from Britain In what is usually settled by people from Britain In what is usually referred to as "the Plantation of Ulster." referred to as "the Plantation of Ulster." These people came mainly from the Scottish These people came mainly from the Scottish Lowlands By the end of the century there were Lowlands By the end of the century there were over 100,000 Scots and 25,000 English in the over 100,000 Scots and 25,000 English in the Province. Province. From these people emerged a new strain of From these people emerged a new strain of Ulstermen the "Ulster Scots" or the "Scotch Ulstermen the "Ulster Scots" or the "Scotch Irish" Irish"

The Mid-Ulster dialect of English spoken in The Mid-Ulster dialect of English spoken in Northern Ireland shows influence from Northern Ireland shows influence from both the West Midlands of England ans both the West Midlands of England ans Scotland thereby giving it a distinct accent Scotland thereby giving it a distinct accent compared to Hiberno English along with compared to Hiberno English along with the use of such Scots words as the use of such Scots words as weewee for for 'little' and 'little' and ayeaye for 'yes'. for 'yes'.

There are supposedly some minute There are supposedly some minute differences in pronunciation between differences in pronunciation between Protestants and Catholics, the best known Protestants and Catholics, the best known of which is the name of the letter of which is the name of the letter hh, which , which Protestants tend to pronounce as "aitch", Protestants tend to pronounce as "aitch", and Catholics tend to pronounce as and Catholics tend to pronounce as "haitch""haitch"

Ulster in AmericaUlster in America

During the years 1717 to 1770 over During the years 1717 to 1770 over 250,00 Ulstermen left home with their 250,00 Ulstermen left home with their families to settle in America. families to settle in America.

These people did not emigrate solely of These people did not emigrate solely of their own free will but rather for social and their own free will but rather for social and economic reasons.  economic reasons. 

American Presidents of Direct American Presidents of Direct Scots Irish descentScots Irish descent

Andrew Jackson, James Polk, James Andrew Jackson, James Polk, James Buchanan, Andrew Johnson, Ulysses Buchanan, Andrew Johnson, Ulysses Simpson Grant, Chester Alan Arthur, Simpson Grant, Chester Alan Arthur, Grover Cleveland, Benjamin Harrison, Grover Cleveland, Benjamin Harrison, William McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt, William McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt, and Woodrow Wilson.  and Woodrow Wilson. 

What to take from this short What to take from this short history?history?

The long-standing war between the Anglo-The long-standing war between the Anglo-Saxons and the Gaelic-speaking Celts can Saxons and the Gaelic-speaking Celts can be seen in the following differences:be seen in the following differences:

Irish English (Anglo-Irish descent) vs. Hiberno Irish English (Anglo-Irish descent) vs. Hiberno English (Gaelic descent)English (Gaelic descent)Religious lines between Roman Catholic (Irish) and Religious lines between Roman Catholic (Irish) and Protestant (English)Protestant (English)Political advantages of being ProtestantPolitical advantages of being Protestant

So…why is the title of the chapter on Irish So…why is the title of the chapter on Irish and English called “the loaded weapon”?and English called “the loaded weapon”?

History of the English in IrelandHistory of the English in Ireland

Long-standing differences between the Long-standing differences between the two groups, even if they are both speaking two groups, even if they are both speaking English.English.– Accent, pronunciation, place names all have Accent, pronunciation, place names all have

political significancepolitical significance

Features of Irish EnglishFeatures of Irish English

YouseYouse for you plural for you plural

Did Did youseyouse kids hear that? (Irish English) kids hear that? (Irish English)

Did Did youyou kids hear that? (Standard English) kids hear that? (Standard English)

be after be after and an and an inging-participle, as in:-participle, as in:

She's after selling the boat means that she She's after selling the boat means that she just sold the boatjust sold the boat

Positive Positive anymoreanymore

Anymore, I just can't get out of bed in the Anymore, I just can't get out of bed in the morning means at present morning means at present or or nowadaysnowadays

Sentence finalSentence final but but to meanto mean so so

I don’t want it but (Irish English)I don’t want it but (Irish English)

So I don’t want it (Standard English)So I don’t want it (Standard English)

The verb The verb to beto beI be walkingI be walking or or She bees walking She bees walking mean that it is a mean that it is a

habitual action (i.e., done most of the time)habitual action (i.e., done most of the time)

andand as a subordinate clause marker as a subordinate clause marker

It only struck me and you when going out the It only struck me and you when going out the door (Irish English)door (Irish English)

It only struck me when you were going out the It only struck me when you were going out the door. (Standard English)door. (Standard English)

Pronunciation features: rhymesPronunciation features: rhymes

Her thou, great Anna! whom three realms obeyHer thou, great Anna! whom three realms obey

Dost sometimes counsel take – and sometimes Dost sometimes counsel take – and sometimes teatea

God moves in a mysterious way,God moves in a mysterious way,

His wonders to perform;His wonders to perform;

He plants His footsteps in the sea,He plants His footsteps in the sea,

And rides upon the stormAnd rides upon the storm

Irish in AmericaIrish in America

Due to the the religious prejudice of Due to the the religious prejudice of Protestant Masters to the Catholic Irish, Protestant Masters to the Catholic Irish, plus political subordination, many Irish had plus political subordination, many Irish had no alternative by to emigrate to the United no alternative by to emigrate to the United States for relief. Between 1820 and 1860, States for relief. Between 1820 and 1860, the Irish were never less than a third of all the Irish were never less than a third of all immigrants. immigrants.

By 1840, the Irish constituted nearly half of all By 1840, the Irish constituted nearly half of all entering immigrants. entering immigrants.

In years after 1860, Irish Immigration persisted. In years after 1860, Irish Immigration persisted. More than 2.6 million Irish came in the decades More than 2.6 million Irish came in the decades after 1860 .after 1860 .

Those Irish who did continue to flow into the U.S. Those Irish who did continue to flow into the U.S. tended to settle in the already existing Irish tended to settle in the already existing Irish communities, where Catholic Churches had communities, where Catholic Churches had been built, and cultural traditions were carried been built, and cultural traditions were carried out. out.

Irish in AmericaIrish in America

The 2000 United State Census reports 30,528,492 persons claiming The 2000 United State Census reports 30,528,492 persons claiming Irish ancestry, 10.8% of the total American population.  This is over Irish ancestry, 10.8% of the total American population.  This is over 7 times the population of Ireland itself, which was 4 million in the 7 times the population of Ireland itself, which was 4 million in the year 2003. year 2003. 

Irish-Americans are the largest ancestral group in Washington DC, Irish-Americans are the largest ancestral group in Washington DC, Delaware, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.Delaware, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.

The states with the largest Irish-American populations are: The states with the largest Irish-American populations are: 1. California- 2,611,4491. California- 2,611,4492. New York- 2,451,0422. New York- 2,451,0423. Pennsylvania- 1,981,1063. Pennsylvania- 1,981,1064. Florida- 1,645,5854. Florida- 1,645,5855. Illinois- 1,511,5695. Illinois- 1,511,569

Chance to raise your score: Chance to raise your score: available on-lineavailable on-line

English 121: Chance to Raise your ScoreEnglish 121: Chance to Raise your ScoreThis assignment is for anyone who wants a chance to get an extra 50 points. ItThis assignment is for anyone who wants a chance to get an extra 50 points. Itis due on is due on Thursday, November 10Thursday, November 10 and must be typed, double-spaced, and and must be typed, double-spaced, and printed out.printed out.

The internet opens new venues for the promotion of minority languages, dyingThe internet opens new venues for the promotion of minority languages, dyinglanguages, dead languages, artificial languages, and more. Choose a languages, dead languages, artificial languages, and more. Choose a language that falls into ONE these categories (e.g., Manx, Welsh, Cornish, language that falls into ONE these categories (e.g., Manx, Welsh, Cornish, Gaelic, Scots, any number of American Indian Languages, Klingon, Esperanto) Gaelic, Scots, any number of American Indian Languages, Klingon, Esperanto) and explore the resources that are now available for that language on the Web. and explore the resources that are now available for that language on the Web. In a 3-4 page paper:In a 3-4 page paper:

– Motivate why you have selected the particular languageMotivate why you have selected the particular language– Describe your findingsDescribe your findings– Speculate about their implications for the vitality of this languageSpeculate about their implications for the vitality of this language– Relate your findings to one or more issues that we have discussed in classRelate your findings to one or more issues that we have discussed in class– Provide a list of references to write the paper (a minimum of 5 references)Provide a list of references to write the paper (a minimum of 5 references)– Edit your paper carefully.Edit your paper carefully.