I think it would be nice to incorporate Ireland into
this chapter, but
obviously the name and the legal framework will be the problem. I'd
still like to see the efforts to focus on smaller languages be
extended to Irish Gaelic, which is in big trouble as a spoken
language. It'd be really nice to see pan-British Isles collaboration
on scholarship and general education in smaller languages, learning
lessons from the resounding success in Wales, for example. Even though
there's now a dedicated TV channel in Irish and it's a compulsory
subject throughout school, there's a big need to promote its actual
use and make it a community-based initiative. This, you understand, is
coming from someone who suffers from non-Irish-speaking-Irishperson
guilt, so I'd be happy to help out with this.
I completely agree that Wikimedia UK would better be "Wikimedia UK and
Ireland". But it is important to remember that we are still trying to find
out whether we will even serve the entire UK or just England and Wales. We
have to still ensure our bylaws and conduct are compatable with Scottish
law, let alone the charity law of an entirely different nation state.
The celtic languages of the British Isles, as a group, would be far better
served under a single body. Effort to promote minority languages serves all,
and Irish Gaelic and Ulster Scots language gain the benefit of that many
extra people working for them. Having a unified body would also overcome the
"Northern Ireland problem", I fear other solutions will garner support among
either nationalists or unionists.
Does anyone know our legal position on this?
Oldak.