Students to Decide on Bilingual Signage at QUBSU
Students at Queen's University Belfast Students' Union (QUBSU) are set to vote on whether to reintroduce signage in both Irish and English languages across the campus.
The upcoming referendum will also ask students if they support granting Irish and English equal status within the university's official communications and branding.
Specifically, the vote will cover whether the university's name and official logo should be presented bilingually in English and Irish.
Bilingual signage was previously displayed at QUBSU until 1997, when Irish-language signs were removed following opposition from some unionist students and a recommendation from the Fair Employment Commission aimed at maintaining a neutral working environment.
The referendum will be conducted online and open to all students of QUBSU.
It asks whether students back the adoption of "an Irish language policy that gives the Irish language equal status to the English language as an official language of the university."
Additionally, the referendum seeks student support for a "bilingual corporate identity" including logos for the university and students' union, as well as bilingual signage throughout the campus.
The voting period runs from Tuesday until Thursday, 19 March.
Queen's University Belfast has been contacted by NI for comment on the referendum.
Support from An Cumann Gaelach
Eoghan Ó Conghaile, representing An Cumann Gaelach, emphasized that the entire student body will have the opportunity to express their views.
"Bilingual signage doesn't take away from anyone else's rights,"
"We're not talking about removing English language signs, we want the English there."
"For the first time in 30 years, since the removal of the signage, there will be a democratic mandate - all things going well - in support of the return of the signage," Ó Conghaile said.
"Essentially the actual request is a transparent commitment from the university to begin work on developing and implementing a comprehensive Irish language policy.
This is something that will revitalise the experience for Irish speakers on campus, and everyone on campus."
Ó Conghaile noted that other institutions, such as St Mary's University College in Belfast, already use logos in both English and Irish.
He also expressed hope that students might be able to receive their degree certificates in Irish if they choose.
"Things have moved on since dual-language signs were removed in 1997,"
"This is the done thing to see more understanding and respect for minority languages,"
"You have countless international students coming to study here in Belfast and if you were walking through Queen's University of Belfast you wouldn't even know there was an indigenous language where they are studying."
Background on An Cumann Gaelach
Ó Conghaile provided historical context about An Cumann Gaelach, which was founded in 1906 by William McArthur, a Protestant who later became a lieutenant-general in the Army.
"William McArthur was a middle class Protestant Unionist,"
"He saw the importance of protecting and cherishing this indigenous language.
Edward Carson, the man who founded the state, a staunch, staunch Unionist and he spoke fluent Irish."
"This kind of idea that this is some kind of green and orange thing, it's a modern thing,"
"It is just a language, it's a few words on a sign.
It's not taking away from any other language.
All we're looking is equal footing,"he added.
New Language Legislation in Northern Ireland
Recent legislative changes have introduced new language laws in Northern Ireland.
Commissioners for the Irish language and the Ulster-Scots/Ulster-British tradition have also taken office to oversee language-related matters.
