 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (September 2017) |
| Languages of Ireland | |
|---|---|
| Main | English (98%)[1] Irish (RoI: 39.8% claim some ability to speak Irish)[2] Ulster Scots (0.3%) Shelta |
| Immigrant | Polish, French, German, Portuguese, Spanish, Russian, Lithuanian |
| Foreign | French (20%), German (7%), Spanish (3.7%) |
| Signed | Irish Sign Language Northern Ireland Sign Language |
| Keyboard layout | |
| Source | ebs_243_en.pdf (europa.eu) |
There are a number of languages used in Ireland. Since the late 18th century, English has been the predominant first language, displacing Irish. A large minority claims some ability to use Irish,[2] and it is the first language for a small percentage of the population.
In the Republic of Ireland, under the Constitution of Ireland, both languages have official status, with Irish being the national and first official language.[3]
In Northern Ireland, English is the primary language for 95% of the population, and de facto official language, while Irish is recognised as an official language and Ulster Scots is recognised as a minority language under the Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Act 2022.[4][5]
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- ^ "SPECIAL EUROBAROMETER 386 Europeans and their Languages" (PDF). Ec.europa.eu. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 January 2016.
- ^ a b "Irish Language and the Gaeltacht – CSO – Central Statistics Office". cso.ie. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
- ^ Book (eISB), electronic Irish Statute. "electronic Irish Statute Book (eISB)". www.irishstatutebook.ie. Art. 8. Retrieved 16 October 2024.
- ^ "Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Act 2022".
- ^ "Language and identity laws could spell significant change". BBC News. 11 December 2022.