Councillors disagree over dual language road signs

Councillors disagree over dual language road signs

15 January 2020

UNIONIST and Republican councillors have clashed over the erection of dual language signs across the district.

Newry, Mourne and Down Council operates a dual language policy with all council buildings containing signs in Irish and English. A number of road signs are also dual language as are a number leading to various housing estates.

Slieve Croob Ulster Unionist councillor Alan Lewis has described dual language road signs in rural areas as “utterly ridiculous” while Sinn Fein’s Cathy Mason — who also represents Slieve Croob — has described comments about dual language signs as “unnecessarily divisive and ludicrous”.

Cllr Lewis, who insists that he has nothing against Irish or those who wish to speak the language, argues that the “continued obsession” with dual language signs is “furthering and reinforcing a negative imagine of language across our district”.

He said placing two dual language road signs at the Nutgrove Road at Annadorn was “utterly ridiculous”. Explaining that while he understands there are those who wish to speak Irish, he insists he has nothing against any person or group who wishes to further their understanding of the language through cultural activities.

However, Cllr Lewis said that in his opinion “there is absolutely no need for road signs randomly doted across the countryside effectively marking out territory”.

He declared: “It’s unnecessary territory marking tribalism and most right-thinking residents are rightly annoyed. This is an attempt to divide communities who otherwise live in harmony. I do not understand why one side is determined to force Irish down the throat of their unionist neighbours.

“Even looking at these signs, with Irish above and English downgraded below, would lead one to ask what is the point? Drivers going at normal speed would read the Irish before they read the actual road name.”

Cllr Lewis suggested that the impression given by some supporters of the Irish language lobby is of a language that has been “forced underground, denied rights, oppressed and starved of funding”.

He said figures contained within the Flags, Identity, Culture and Tradition Commission reveal that £190m has been spent on Irish in just over seven years.

He added: “Nobody is prevented from learning and speaking Irish and it is well provided for in terms of public funding. I do not believe that there is the need for an Irish Language Act but that does not mean we do not support the language community.

“Given the regular painting out of Irish language signs in mainly unionist areas where the language is not spoken or understood and where it is seen as political, it is very clear that adverse equality and good relations implications should have been anticipated.”

Describing Cllr Lewis’ comments as “utterly ludicrous”, Cllr Mason said the Irish language did not belong to any section of the community, insisting that it was for everyone.

She continued: “The process to erect dual language signs is only initiated upon request by residents of the relevant community. Cllr Lewis’ implication that the Irish language is being forced down anyone’s throat echoes the unnecessarily divisive fear-mongering of a bygone era.

“While some of his comments regarding a driver reading Irish signs are preposterous, they unfortunately seem indicative of the stubborn opposition to anything that reflects the Irish identity.”

Giving additional context to the process of bilingual signage, Cllr Mason said that all parties were given the opportunity to contribute to the development of the street name policy by Newry, Mourne and Down Council. 

She said the that the policy agreed on is both “fair and inclusive”.

Cllr Mason also commended the many residents who have already requested dual language signs and encouraged more to come forward.

She added: “I welcome the roll-out of the dual language signage scheme and would encourage all our residents who wish to have their street names in both Irish and English to get in contact with us to have it facilitated. We want our district to reflect the very best of all our cultures, living together as equals.”