Intracultural dialogue as a precursor to cross-community initiatives: the Irish language among Protestants/unionists in Northern Ireland

Abstract

ABSTRACT While peace agreements are major milestones in ending conflict, the remnants of antagonism often continue well beyond the signing of a ‘text’. Language issues are often far more important for the stability of a post-conflict region than is generally recognised. We focus on Northern Ireland as a case study of a society that has been divided along religious and ethnic lines and where language has reflected these schisms. Drawing on 20 years of fieldwork in the region, we focus on the significance of intracultural dialogue among the Protestant community as a precursor to cross-community language initiatives. The lack of mechanism for intra- as well as multi-cultural dialogues has stymied the emergence of respect for linguistic diversity, which is at the heart of the discourse central within many peace processes.