The Symbolic Significance of the Irish Language in the Northern Ireland Conflict

The expression our own language illustrates the significance of the Irish language for many among the nationalist community in Northern Ireland. They regard the neglect of the language by unionist administrations since the 1920s as another part of the attempted anglicisation of Ireland, and part of the justification for their continued opposition to the union. As a result, Irish has come to be seen as a symbol of resistance, anti-Britishness, liberation and nationalism.