The Irish and The Rusyn

Slide 1:The Irish and The RusynMinorities Fighting For their Identity

Slide 2:The Irish

The Gaeltacht refers to the lands of Ireland in which Irish is the common language spoken Although the term Irish represents all native people of Ireland, this presentation will limit the term Irish to those people who use Irish as their primary language.

Slide 3:Early English Oppression

The Anglo Normans came to Ireland around 1167. Spoke Little Irish Settled in Urban areas Irish excluded from city affairs. English language dominated the governmental and administrative spheres in Ireland. English common law

Slide 4:Early English Oppression cont.

The Statute of Kilkenny (1366) “If any English or Irish living amongst the English use the Irish language amongst themselves contrary to this ordinance and thereof be attaint, that his lands and tenements, if he have any, be seized into the hands of his immediate lord until he come to one of the places of our lord the King and find sufficient surety to adopt and use the English language and then that he have restitution of his said lands by writ to issue out of the same place.”

Slide 5:Early English Oppression cont.

Henry VIII, who was proclaimed King of Ireland, issued a decree in 1541 that stated, “the King’s true subjects, inhabiting this land of Ireland, of what estate condition or degree…shall use and speak commonly the English tongue and language…”.

Slide 6:Rebellions in Ireland

“it was the upheaval among the landlords rather than any official measures against the Irish language that gained for English a foothold in the Irish countryside.” (Professor O Cuiv) Irish land owners exiled or killed Land given to Englishmen

Slide 7:Irish Views on the Language

Irish viewed as language of poverty Great famine English viewed as language of education and employment. “Therefore although the Irish language is connected with many recollections that twine around the hearts of Irishmen, yet the superior utility of the English tongue, as the medium of all modern communication, is so great that I can witness without a sigh the gradual disuse of Irish.”- Danielle O’Connell

Slide 8:Irish Nationalism and Independence

1893 Formation of the Gaelic League by Douglas Hyde. Goals of league: preservation of Irish as a national language extension of its use as a spoken tongue political independence of Ireland. 1922 Ireland granted independence Irish declared as official language.

Slide 9:Failures of the New Irish State

Failure to restore and maintain the Gaeltacht areas. Little economic help given at the beginning. English investment within the area immigration into the Gaeltacht by English speaking people. English dominant language spoken within these businesses

Slide 10:Failures of the New Irish State cont.

Knowledge of Irish mandatory for government jobs No requirement for Irish be spoken within those jobs. Mandatory Irish education within the school systems No policy for the use of Irish in commercial sectors. Students had few places to use Irish after school completion.

Slide 11:Current Situation of the Irish.

According to the 2002 census: 42.8 percent of the population claim to be Irish speakers. 21.6 percent of those use the language daily 76.8 percent of these are in the 5-19 school age group 2/3 Irish speakers use the language less the weekly or not at all. 2003 Official Languages act Every publication made by any government body must be published in Irish as well as English.

Slide 12:Current Situation of the Irish cont.

The government has attempted to prevent the immigration of non-Irish speakers within the Gaeltacht areas by ensuring that only Irish speakers receive housing permits within those areas.

Slide 13:Irish Speaking Lands 1500

Slide 14:Irish Speaking Lands 1700

Slide 15:Irish Speaking Lands Late 1700s

Slide 16:Irish Speaking Lands Late 1800s

Slide 17:Irish Speaking Lands in 1961

Slide 18:The Rusyn

The Rusyn homeland Within the borders of the Ukraine, Slovakia, and Poland. Also small Rusyn communities found outside of the homeland in Romania, Hungary, Yugoslavia, and the Czech Republic. Rusyn lands divided during the 11th century Lands south of the Carpathians became part of the Hungarian kingdom The region north of the Carpathians was divided between the kingdom of Galacia and Poland.

Slide 19:Rusyn treatment under their Conquerors

Until the 16th century, most Rusyn were recognized as a distinct group and did not pay taxes. Landlords in Poland and Galacia increased their holdings into Rusyn territory. Rusyn were reduced to serfs. Hungary also passed laws reducing its Rusyn population to serfs Not enforced due to Turk invasion.

Slide 20:Rusyn treatment under their Conquerors cont.

Hungarian army destroyed by Turks Rusyn lands were divided between the Turks and Hungary. Conflict between Catholic Hapsburg and Protestant Transylvania within Hungary Many Rusyn sided with the Transylvanian Prince Ferenc II Rakoczy. In 1711, Rakoczy was defeated. All of Hungary under Hapsburg rule New landlords in the Rusyn area. Rusyns reduced to serfs.

Slide 21:The Rusyn National Movement

Coincided with the end of the Revolution of 1848 and the failed Hungarian war of Independence. After the war, serfdom was abolished. Alexander Dukhnovych Greek Catholic priest Founded the first Rusyn cultural society Published the first almanacs and school books in Rusyn. Author of the Rusyn national credo, “I was, am and will remain a Rusyn”. Also author of the Rusyn national anthem, “Subcarpathian Rusyns, Arise from Your Deep Slumber”.

Slide 22:The Rusyn National Movement

The Rusyn revival stalled in 1867. Austro-Hungarian Empire transformed into a dual-monarchy, A new Hungarian revival began and swept aside the Rusyn movement.

Slide 23:Rusyn Lands Pre-WW1

Slide 24:After WWI

The Rusyn lands divided between Czechoslovakia, Poland, and Yugoslavia. Czechoslovakia created a Rusyn province within the state that had a Rusyn governor and some autonomy. Eventually, this area received full self governing status. Independent Rusyn nation created by the Lemko Rusyn. Blocked by both Czechoslovakia and Poland from joining the Rusyn in Czechoslovakia. This nation was annexed by Poland with 16 months.

Slide 25:Nazi Control during WWII

Rusyn land returned to Hungary and under Nazi control. Some cultural freedom under Nazi rule Removal of Ukrainian sympathies The Hungarian administration favored the Rusynophile orientation. Hungarian government allowed the Rusyn language, “Uhro-Rusyn” to be taught in schools. Rusyn publications and Rusyn societies were allowed as long as they were pro-Hungarian.

Slide 26:WWII cont.

Rusyn lands were divided between states after war. Subcarpathian Rus’ was restored to Czechoslovakia Lemko region was restored to Poland Vojvodina region became part of Serbia within Yugoslavia.

Slide 27:Rusyn Lands

Slide 28:Russian Policies toward the Rusyn

All of the Rusyn areas except for Yugoslavia fell under Soviet control. Under Soviet rule: Greek Catholic church was outlawed. Land was taking from farmers who were forced to work on collective or cooperative farms. Rusyn language was banned from all schools and publications. All Rusyn forcibly listed as Ukrainian in official documents. Around 800,000 Lemkos were driven from their homelands and forced to resettle in the Soviet Ukraine or the far western reaches of Poland.

Slide 29:Russian Policies toward the Rusyn cont.

Yugoslavia was the only state to recognize the Rusyns as a distinct nationality during the communist years. Provided government support for Rusyn schools, publications, cultural organizations, radio, and television programs.

Slide 30:The End of Communist Rule

Large scale Rusyn revival began with the fall of the Communist regimes in 1989. Agreements were signed by Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, and the Ukraine upon their entry into the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE). “to belong to a national minority is a matter of a person’s individual choice” “persons belonging to national minorities can exercise and enjoy their rights individually as well as in community with other members of their group” “individuals and organizations representing national minorities would be allowed unimpeded contacts (…) across frontiers (…) with persons with whom they share a common ethnic or national origin.

Slide 31:Current Status of the Rusyn

Rusyns recognized as a distinct nationality in all states except for the Ukraine. Within Slovakia, Poland, and Hungary, the Rusyn receive support for publications and organizational and cultural activities. In Slovakia, the Rusyn language has been codified. Within the Ukraine, both the state and the pro-Ukrainian Rusyns refuse to acknowledge that there is a separate Rusyn nationality.

Slide 32:Similarities between the Irish and the Rusyn

The Irish and Rusyn lands were invaded during the 11th century. Conquerors of their lands imposed policies that restricted the use of language and pushed the minority groups into poverty. Nationalistic movements began during the mid to late 1800s. Became independent during the early 1900s (although it is was temporary for the Rusyn). Governmental support for the maintenance of these groups and their language.

Slide 33:The Differences between the Irish and the Rusyn

The Irish had only one conqueror. The English ruled Ireland for nearly 800 years. The Rusyn areas have been ruled by several different groups. This is a possible reason for the Rusyn to have maintained a larger percentage of their land and culture than the Irish.

Slide 34:The Differences between the Irish and the Rusyn

The Irish language and culture associated with poverty. Many Irish were ashamed of their nationality. English was regarded as the language of education and success. Rusyn culture never became associated with poverty. Today, there are many well-educated and successful Rusyn in the population.

Slide 35:Chances of Survival

The Irish situation is bleak due to a lack of support from within the Gaeltacht. Government and public support from outside the Gaeltacht. The Irish within the Gaeltacht are still impoverished. Continue to view English as a means of bettering their condition. The Rusyn situation is bleak because of state finances. Support from within the community and the state. The states themselves have little resources in which to devote to the development of their minorities.

Slide 36:Bibliography

Crowley, Tony. Wars of the Words. Oxford University Press, 2005 Purdon, Edward. The Story of the Irish Language. Mercier Press, 1999 Diarmait Mac Giolla Chriost. The Irish Language in Ireland. Routledge, 2005 Nic Craith, Mairead. Watching One’s Tongue. Liverpool University Press, 1996 The Carpatho-Rusyn Knowledge Base http://www.carpatho-rusyn.org/history.htm Rusyn.org http://www.rusyn.org/?root=rusyns&rusyns=hist Rusinko, Elaine. Straddling Borders: Literature and Identity in Subcarpathian Rus’. University of Toronto Press, 2003 Trier, Tom. Focus on the Rusyns International Colloquium on the Rusyns of East Central Europe. The Danish Cultural Institute, 1999