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Papers by Padraig O Riagain
Springer eBooks, 2018
The chapter begins with a brief review of the nature and history of censuses of population, gener... more The chapter begins with a brief review of the nature and history of censuses of population, generally and on the island of Ireland, with some cross-referencing to UK censuses. The range of language questions used in recent years are then examined in some detail noting, in particular, the way in which questions have changed over time. In the case of the censuses conducted in the Republic of Ireland, the most significant question change occurred in the 1996 census, and the analysis considers the effect of this change by comparing the census results before and after that date. In the Northern Ireland censuses an important change was made to the language proficiency question in the 2001 census. In this instance, the analytical interest concerns the internal consistency of the resultant data, rather than consistency over time. All censuses since 1996 in the Republic of Ireland (1991 in Northern Ireland) have used dichotomous questions to measure language proficiency. However, a dichotomous question is a crude measure of proficiency, and a number of post-census surveys in both Irish jurisdictions have asked respondents both how they answered the dichotomous census question about language proficiency and how they would rate themselves on a more detailed language proficiency scale. A comparison of the two measures of proficiency thus gives an insight into the limitations of dichotomous questions as used in censuses. This research is reviewed in the final section of the chapter.
To set the context, the chapter begins with a brief historical overview of language related surve... more To set the context, the chapter begins with a brief historical overview of language related survey research in Ireland that also serves as an introduction to the surveys to be examined later in the chapter. This is followed by a description of the language proficiency questions that were included in the selected surveys. The discussion here, and in later sections, concentrates on questions relating to language proficiency understood as ability to speak Irish. Questions based on other dimensions of the concept of language proficiency (understanding, reading, writing) are noted where relevant, but are not examined in the same detail. The discussion then moves to consider specific issues arising from features of the wording and format of the questions about language proficiency used in the selected surveys. These issues include those relating to dichotomous and multi-level ordinal questions, filter or branching questions and proxy reporting. The analysis in each case is based on both a detailed examination of the questions used, and the empirical results obtained when these questions were used in the field.
Within the past half century multinational survey programmes have become indispensable for resear... more Within the past half century multinational survey programmes have become indispensable for research and policy purposes. Methodologically, cross-national survey research is confronted by the same challenges as any national survey but, in addition, it has to cope with the problem of equivalence of meaning in designing questionnaires for use across the populations of different countries. In order to explore how these particular issues are dealt with in the design of language proficiency questions in a multinational survey, the example of the Eurobarometer (EB) is examined in detail in this chapter. The discussion begins with a short review of the historical background of the EB. This is followed by a detailed review of the questions relating to language proficiency that have been included in EB surveys. The empirical findings relating to Irish in the three most relevant EB surveys are then presented to show how changes in the wording and form of the question affected the replies given by respondents. The next two sections then compare the findings of the EB, as an international survey, with comparable data from national sources. The chapter ends with a concluding discussion of the main points to emerge from the analysis.
Bat: Soziolinguistika aldizkaria, 1995
Language Problems and Language Planning, 1985
In the third section, two attitude surveys of primary school teachers are discussed. It is conclu... more In the third section, two attitude surveys of primary school teachers are discussed. It is concluded that while there are some technical problems and some differences in emphasis and survey timing, the main surveys reviewed are generally consistent, and that discrepancies occur more in interpretation than in data. With regard to educational policy, the public pursues varied objectives and the majority endorses current policy. It is also generally agreed that "slow learners" and students whose parents do not endorse Irish instruction should not be required to learn Irish. Demand for change appears to come from minority groups with different viewpoints. Teachers are among the groups most proficient in Irish, most favorably disposed to it, and most likely to use it often. They also feel students with low academic or language ability should not be required to learn Irish. A new curriculum is desired. Students and young adults based their judgments on the perceived utility of the language. (MSE)
Springer eBooks, Jan 24, 2008
Multilingual Matters eBooks, Dec 31, 2001
International Journal of the Sociology of Language, 1988
The main purpose of this article is to present an overview of research conducted in Ireland which... more The main purpose of this article is to present an overview of research conducted in Ireland which sought to describe and explain the evolving pattern of bilingualism in the state. The discussion will mainly focus on the two national language surveys conducted in 1973 and 1983 respectively, although in the latter case only a preliminary report has so far been published. As it would not be possible in the available space to give a detailed account of these and other relevant surveys, the discussion is restricted to major features of the survey results in order to provide a brief description of the contemporary state of bilingualism in Ireland and, at the same time, to provide sufficient illustrative material for a concluding discussion about some emerging policy and research issues. Notwithstanding the fact that the research output is small, sociolinguistic/sociology-of-language research is now an accepted element of the planning process, and it is possible to discern some shifts in its orientation since the early 1970s as it responded to the logic of its own findings and new developments in the direction and structure of the overall policy.
Educational Media International, Sep 1, 1991
The scale and content of minority language programmes in State broadcasting services reflect (a) ... more The scale and content of minority language programmes in State broadcasting services reflect (a) technical/operational, (b) language planning and (c) ideological considerations. These three elements form the environment within which broadcasting policy is formulated and within which, over time, it changes. Irish language broadcasting in Ireland is discussed from this viewpoint.
Annual Review of Applied Linguistics, Mar 1, 1997
Sociolinguistica, Jan 31, 1997
Sociolinguistica, Jan 31, 1993
The Encyclopedia of Applied Linguistics, Nov 5, 2012
In the definition provided by Sarnoff (1970, p. 279) an attitude is “a disposition to react favou... more In the definition provided by Sarnoff (1970, p. 279) an attitude is “a disposition to react favourably or unfavourably to a class of objects.” In the case of language attitudes, the “class of objects” which give rise to such reactions are, of course, language related. Keywords: globaligation; second language acquisition; multilingualism
Cambridge University Press eBooks, Aug 23, 2007
During the nineteenth century Irish-speaking communities declined almost to the point of extincti... more During the nineteenth century Irish-speaking communities declined almost to the point of extinction. But in 1922 the new Irish state launched a broad strategy to re-establish Irish as a national language. This book is about that policy and its impact over the last seventy years ...
The Irish review (Cork), 1988
Springer eBooks, 2018
The chapter begins with a brief review of the nature and history of censuses of population, gener... more The chapter begins with a brief review of the nature and history of censuses of population, generally and on the island of Ireland, with some cross-referencing to UK censuses. The range of language questions used in recent years are then examined in some detail noting, in particular, the way in which questions have changed over time. In the case of the censuses conducted in the Republic of Ireland, the most significant question change occurred in the 1996 census, and the analysis considers the effect of this change by comparing the census results before and after that date. In the Northern Ireland censuses an important change was made to the language proficiency question in the 2001 census. In this instance, the analytical interest concerns the internal consistency of the resultant data, rather than consistency over time. All censuses since 1996 in the Republic of Ireland (1991 in Northern Ireland) have used dichotomous questions to measure language proficiency. However, a dichotomous question is a crude measure of proficiency, and a number of post-census surveys in both Irish jurisdictions have asked respondents both how they answered the dichotomous census question about language proficiency and how they would rate themselves on a more detailed language proficiency scale. A comparison of the two measures of proficiency thus gives an insight into the limitations of dichotomous questions as used in censuses. This research is reviewed in the final section of the chapter.
To set the context, the chapter begins with a brief historical overview of language related surve... more To set the context, the chapter begins with a brief historical overview of language related survey research in Ireland that also serves as an introduction to the surveys to be examined later in the chapter. This is followed by a description of the language proficiency questions that were included in the selected surveys. The discussion here, and in later sections, concentrates on questions relating to language proficiency understood as ability to speak Irish. Questions based on other dimensions of the concept of language proficiency (understanding, reading, writing) are noted where relevant, but are not examined in the same detail. The discussion then moves to consider specific issues arising from features of the wording and format of the questions about language proficiency used in the selected surveys. These issues include those relating to dichotomous and multi-level ordinal questions, filter or branching questions and proxy reporting. The analysis in each case is based on both a detailed examination of the questions used, and the empirical results obtained when these questions were used in the field.
Within the past half century multinational survey programmes have become indispensable for resear... more Within the past half century multinational survey programmes have become indispensable for research and policy purposes. Methodologically, cross-national survey research is confronted by the same challenges as any national survey but, in addition, it has to cope with the problem of equivalence of meaning in designing questionnaires for use across the populations of different countries. In order to explore how these particular issues are dealt with in the design of language proficiency questions in a multinational survey, the example of the Eurobarometer (EB) is examined in detail in this chapter. The discussion begins with a short review of the historical background of the EB. This is followed by a detailed review of the questions relating to language proficiency that have been included in EB surveys. The empirical findings relating to Irish in the three most relevant EB surveys are then presented to show how changes in the wording and form of the question affected the replies given by respondents. The next two sections then compare the findings of the EB, as an international survey, with comparable data from national sources. The chapter ends with a concluding discussion of the main points to emerge from the analysis.
Bat: Soziolinguistika aldizkaria, 1995
Language Problems and Language Planning, 1985
In the third section, two attitude surveys of primary school teachers are discussed. It is conclu... more In the third section, two attitude surveys of primary school teachers are discussed. It is concluded that while there are some technical problems and some differences in emphasis and survey timing, the main surveys reviewed are generally consistent, and that discrepancies occur more in interpretation than in data. With regard to educational policy, the public pursues varied objectives and the majority endorses current policy. It is also generally agreed that "slow learners" and students whose parents do not endorse Irish instruction should not be required to learn Irish. Demand for change appears to come from minority groups with different viewpoints. Teachers are among the groups most proficient in Irish, most favorably disposed to it, and most likely to use it often. They also feel students with low academic or language ability should not be required to learn Irish. A new curriculum is desired. Students and young adults based their judgments on the perceived utility of the language. (MSE)
Springer eBooks, Jan 24, 2008
Multilingual Matters eBooks, Dec 31, 2001
International Journal of the Sociology of Language, 1988
The main purpose of this article is to present an overview of research conducted in Ireland which... more The main purpose of this article is to present an overview of research conducted in Ireland which sought to describe and explain the evolving pattern of bilingualism in the state. The discussion will mainly focus on the two national language surveys conducted in 1973 and 1983 respectively, although in the latter case only a preliminary report has so far been published. As it would not be possible in the available space to give a detailed account of these and other relevant surveys, the discussion is restricted to major features of the survey results in order to provide a brief description of the contemporary state of bilingualism in Ireland and, at the same time, to provide sufficient illustrative material for a concluding discussion about some emerging policy and research issues. Notwithstanding the fact that the research output is small, sociolinguistic/sociology-of-language research is now an accepted element of the planning process, and it is possible to discern some shifts in its orientation since the early 1970s as it responded to the logic of its own findings and new developments in the direction and structure of the overall policy.
Educational Media International, Sep 1, 1991
The scale and content of minority language programmes in State broadcasting services reflect (a) ... more The scale and content of minority language programmes in State broadcasting services reflect (a) technical/operational, (b) language planning and (c) ideological considerations. These three elements form the environment within which broadcasting policy is formulated and within which, over time, it changes. Irish language broadcasting in Ireland is discussed from this viewpoint.
Annual Review of Applied Linguistics, Mar 1, 1997
Sociolinguistica, Jan 31, 1997
Sociolinguistica, Jan 31, 1993
The Encyclopedia of Applied Linguistics, Nov 5, 2012
In the definition provided by Sarnoff (1970, p. 279) an attitude is “a disposition to react favou... more In the definition provided by Sarnoff (1970, p. 279) an attitude is “a disposition to react favourably or unfavourably to a class of objects.” In the case of language attitudes, the “class of objects” which give rise to such reactions are, of course, language related. Keywords: globaligation; second language acquisition; multilingualism
Cambridge University Press eBooks, Aug 23, 2007
During the nineteenth century Irish-speaking communities declined almost to the point of extincti... more During the nineteenth century Irish-speaking communities declined almost to the point of extinction. But in 1922 the new Irish state launched a broad strategy to re-establish Irish as a national language. This book is about that policy and its impact over the last seventy years ...
The Irish review (Cork), 1988