Staff Profiles

An tOll. Tadhg Ó hIfearnáin

BA, PhD

Contact Details

Ollamh Bunaithe le Gaeilge / Established Professor of Irish
Roinn na Gaeilge
Ollscoil na Gaillimhe
Gaillimh
H91 TK33
T: +353 91 492560
E: tadhg.ohifearnain@ollscoilnagaillimhe.ie

Biography

Tá Tadhg Ó hIfearnáin ina Ollamh le Gaeilge in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe. Ba in Ollscoil Luimnigh a bhí sé ag obair go dtí 2017 agus in Ollscoil na Briotáine Uachtaraí roimhe sin, tar éis dó tréimhsí a chaitheamh mar iarchéimí agus léachtóir in Ollscoil Utrecht agus in Ollscoil Uladh. Tá BA (1988) agus PhD (1994) i Léann na Gaeilge aige ó Ollscoil Uladh, Cúil Raithin.

Tadhg Ó hIfearnáin is Established Professor of Modern Irish in the University of Galway. He worked at the University of Limerick until 2017 and before then at the University of Rennes 2 after periods as a lecturer and research student in Coleraine and Utrecht. He holds a BA (1988) and PhD (1994) in Irish from the University of Ulster at Coleraine.

Research Interests

Teanga agus sochaí, go háirithe teangeolaíocht agus sochtheangeolaíocht na Gaeilge agus na dteangacha Gaelacha eile; teangacha mionlaithe agus neamhfhorleathana; teanga agus saíocht na Gaeilge ón 17ú haois i leith.

Tá tionscnaimh fhadtéarmacha ar siúl agam i réimsí gaolmhara a bhaineann le teangacha agus lucht a labhartha; Saothar teoiriciúil agus allamuigh i mbeartas, idé-eolaíocht agus nósmhaireacht teanga; beartas agus pleanáil teanga sa Ghaeltacht; caighdeán agus caighdeánú teanga; an dóigh a n-airíonn cainteoirí an t-achar teangeolaíochta agus sochtheangeolaíochta idir canúintí agus teangacha éagsúla; sochtheangeolaíocht Ghaeilge Mhanann.

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Language and society, particularly the contemporary linguistics and sociolinguistics of Irish and the other Gaelic languages; Minority language studies; Irish language, literature and society from 17th century to present.

I am currently working on integrated and closely related long-term field-based and theoretical projects in language policy, ideology and practice; family language policy in the Gaeltacht; standardization and de-standardization; language regard; perceptions of linguistic and sociolinguistic distance; contemporary sociolinguistics of Manx.

Edited Books

	Year	Publication
	(2019)	An tSochtheangeolaíocht: Taighde agus Gníomh. Ó hIfearnáin, Tadhg (Ed.). (2019) An tSochtheangeolaíocht: Taighde agus Gníomh. Baile Átha Cliath: Cois Life. [Details]
	(2018)	An Meon Folaithe. Idé-eolaíochtaí agus iompar lucht labhartha na Gaeilge in Éirinn agus in Albain. Ó hIfearnáin, Tadhg & Walsh, John (Ed.). (2018) An Meon Folaithe. Idé-eolaíochtaí agus iompar lucht labhartha na Gaeilge in Éirinn agus in Albain. Baile Átha Cliath: Cois Life. [Details]
	(2012)	An tSochtheangeolaíocht: Feidhm agus Tuairisc. Ó hIfearnáin, Tadhg & Ní Neachtain, Máire (Ed.). (2012) An tSochtheangeolaíocht: Feidhm agus Tuairisc. Baile Átha Cliath: Cois Life. [Details]
	(2007)	Langues proches - Langues collatérales / Near Languages - Collateral Languages. Eloy, Jean-Michel & Ó hIfearnáin, Tadhg (Ed.). (2007) Langues proches - Langues collatérales / Near Languages - Collateral Languages. Paris: Harmattan. [Details]

Book Chapters

	Year	Publication
	(2024)	'Commentary: Language Conflict and the Contextual Nature of Agency' Ó hIfearnáin, Tadhg (2024) 'Commentary: Language Conflict and the Contextual Nature of Agency' In: Agency in the Peripheries of Language Revitalisation. :84-90 Bristol / Jackson: Multilingual Matters. [Details]
	(2023)	'Sociolinguistics of the Celtic Languages' Ó hIfearnáin, Tadhg (2023) 'Sociolinguistics of the Celtic Languages' In: The Routledge Handbook of Sociolinguistics Around the World. :488-500 London: Routledge. [DOI] [Details]
	(2023)	'La trasmission intergénerationnelle de la langue irlandaise : Famille, Ecole, État' Ó hIfearnáin, Tadhg (2023) 'La trasmission intergénerationnelle de la langue irlandaise : Famille, Ecole, État' In: Langue bretonne et langues minorisées : avenir et transmission familiale. :99-128 Rennes: Travaux d'Investigation et de Recherche. [Details]
	(2022)	'Wider Community Stance and Irish-Speaking Families in the Gaeltacht' Ó hIfearnáin, Tadhg (2022) 'Wider Community Stance and Irish-Speaking Families in the Gaeltacht' In: Transmitting Minority Languages. Complementary Reversing Language Shift Strategies. :105-135 Cham: Palgrave Macmillan. [DOI] [Details]
	(2019)	'Beartas Teanga agus Pleanáil Teanga' Ó hIfearnáin, Tadhg (2019) 'Beartas Teanga agus Pleanáil Teanga' In: An tSochtheangeolaíocht: Taighde agus Gníomh. :1-28 Baile Átha Cliath: Cois Life. [Details]
	(2018)	'The ideological construction of boundaries between speakers and their varieties' Ó hIfearnáin, Tadhg (2018) 'The ideological construction of boundaries between speakers and their varieties' In: New Speakers of Minority Languages. Linguistic Ideologies and Practices. Basingstoke: Palgrave. [DOI] [Details]
	(2015)	'A proximidade linguística e o desenvolvimento do manês' Ó hIfearnáin, Tadhg (2015) 'A proximidade linguística e o desenvolvimento do manês' In: Quem fala a minha língua? 2. :95-119 Santiago de Compostela: Associaçom Galega da Língua - Através. [Details]
	(2015)	'Gaelic Scotland and Ireland: Issues of Class and Diglossia in an Evolving Social Landscape' Smith-Christmas, Cassie; Ó hIfearnáin, Tadhg (2015) 'Gaelic Scotland and Ireland: Issues of Class and Diglossia in an Evolving Social Landscape' In: Globalising Sociolinguistics: Challenging and expanding theory. :256-269 London & New York: Routledge. [Details]
	(2014)	'Paradoxes of engagement with Irish language community management, practice and ideology' Ó hIfearnáin, Tadhg (2014) 'Paradoxes of engagement with Irish language community management, practice and ideology' In: Endangered Languages. Beliefs and ideologies in language documentation and revitalization. :29-51 Oxford: Oxford University Press. [Details]
	(2012)	'An Phleanáil Teanga agus an Beartas Teanga: Coincheapa agus Feidhm' Ó hIfearnáin, T (2012) 'An Phleanáil Teanga agus an Beartas Teanga: Coincheapa agus Feidhm' In: An tSochtheangeolaíocht: Feidhm agus Tuairisc. :129-149 Baile Átha Cliath: Cois Life. [Details]
	(2011)	'Breton language maintenance and regeneration in regional education policy' Ó hIfearnáin, Tadhg (2011) 'Breton language maintenance and regeneration in regional education policy' In: Uniformity and Diversity in Language Policy: Global Perspectives. :93-108 Bristol: Multilingual Matters. [Details]
	(2011)	'The perception of Standard Irish as a prestige target variety' Ó hIfearnáin, Tadhg & Ó Murchadha, Noel (2011) 'The perception of Standard Irish as a prestige target variety' In: Standard Languages and Language Standards in a Changing Europe. :97-104 Oslo: Novus. [Details]
	(2010)	'Institutionalising Language Policy: Mismatches in Community and National Goals' Ó hIfearnáin, Tadhg (2010) 'Institutionalising Language Policy: Mismatches in Community and National Goals' In: Coimhearsnachd na Gàidhlig an-diugh / Gaelic Communities Today. :35-47 Edinburgh: Dunedin Academic Press. [Details]
	(2010)	'The Irish language and the state' Ó hIfearnáin, Tadhg (2010) 'The Irish language and the state' In: The Celtic Languages (2nd Edition). :539-586 London & New York: Routledge. [Details]
	(2009)	'Teagasc na Gaeilge in Ollscoil Luimnigh' Ó hIfearnáin, Tadhg & Ní Loingsigh, Deirdre (2009) 'Teagasc na Gaeilge in Ollscoil Luimnigh' In: Ó Theagasc Teanga go Sealbhú Teanga: Múineadh agus Foghlaim na Gaeilge ar an Tríú Leibhéál. :52-57 Baile Átha Cliath: Cois Life. [Details]
	(2008)	'An tírdhreach teangeolaíoch agus taibhiú teanga ar TG4' Ó hIfearnáin, Tadhg (2008) 'An tírdhreach teangeolaíoch agus taibhiú teanga ar TG4' In: TG4 @ 10: Deich mBliana de TG4. :91-102 Indreabhán: Cló Iar-Chonnacht. [Details]
	(2008)	'Linguistic landscape and the performance of language on TG4' Ó hIfearnáin, Tadhg (2008) 'Linguistic landscape and the performance of language on TG4' In: TG4@10. Deich mbliana de TG4. :195-197 Indreabhán: Cló Iar-Chonnacht. [Details]
	(2008)	'Endangering Language Vitality through Institutional Development: Ideology, Authority, and Official Standard Irish in the Gaeltacht' Ó hIfearnáin, Tadhg (2008) 'Endangering Language Vitality through Institutional Development: Ideology, Authority, and Official Standard Irish in the Gaeltacht' In: Sustaining Linguistic Diversity: Endangered and Minority Languages and Language Varieties. :113-128 Washington D.C: Georgetown University Press. [Details]
	(2007)	'Manx orthography and language ideology in the Gaelic continuum' Ó hIfearnáin, Tadhg (2007) 'Manx orthography and language ideology in the Gaelic continuum' In: Langues proches - Langues collatérales / Near Languages - Collateral Languages. :159-170 Paris: Harmattan. [Details]
	(2007)	'Structures d'État et dynamisme associatif; l'irlandais, langue d'une minorité à revendication majoritaire' Ó hIfearnáin, Tadhg (2007) 'Structures d'État et dynamisme associatif; l'irlandais, langue d'une minorité à revendication majoritaire' In: Variable territoriale et promotion des langues minoritaires. :369-388 Pessac: Maison des Sciences de l'Homme d'Aquitaine. [Details]

Published Reports

	Year	Publication
	(2022)	Líon agus Lonnaíocht na dTeaghlach atá ag tógáil clainne le Gaeilge lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht. Seoighe, Stiofán; Smith-Christmas, Cassie; Ó hIfearnáin, Tadhg (2022) Líon agus Lonnaíocht na dTeaghlach atá ag tógáil clainne le Gaeilge lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht. Glór na nGael, Baile Átha Cliath. [Details]

Peer Reviewed Journals

	Year	Publication
	(2018)	'Converging and diverging stances on target revival varieties in collateral languages: the ideologies of linguistic variation in Irish and Manx Gaelic' Ó Murchadha, Noel & Ó hIfearnáin, Tadhg (2018) 'Converging and diverging stances on target revival varieties in collateral languages: the ideologies of linguistic variation in Irish and Manx Gaelic'. Journal Of Multilingual And Multicultural Development, [DOI] [Details]
	(2015)	'La pratique de l'irlandais et la minorité irlandophone' Ó hIfearnáin, Tadhg (2015) 'La pratique de l'irlandais et la minorité irlandophone'. La Bretagne Linguistique, 19 :81-97 [Details]
	(2015)	'Sociolinguistic vitality of Manx after extreme language shift: authenticity without traditional native speakers' Ó hIfearnáin, Tadhg (2015) 'Sociolinguistic vitality of Manx after extreme language shift: authenticity without traditional native speakers'. International Journal of the Sociology of Language, 231 :45-62 [DOI] [Details]
	(2015)	'Back to the Future: Standard and language standards in contemporary Manx Gaelic' Ó hIfearnáin, Tadhg (2015) 'Back to the Future: Standard and language standards in contemporary Manx Gaelic'. Sociolinguistica, 29 :99-120 [DOI] [Details]
	(2013)	'Family language policy, first language Irish speaker attitudes and community-based response to language shift' Ó hIfearnáin, Tadhg (2013) 'Family language policy, first language Irish speaker attitudes and community-based response to language shift'. Journal Of Multilingual And Multicultural Development, 34 :348-365 [DOI] [Details]
	(2013)	'Institutional Breton language policy after language shift' Ó hIfearnáin, Tadhg (2013) 'Institutional Breton language policy after language shift'. International Journal of the Sociology of Language, 223 :117-135 [DOI] [Details]
	(2007)	'Raising children to be bilingual in the Gaeltacht: Language preference and practice' Ó hIfearnáin, Tadhg (2007) 'Raising children to be bilingual in the Gaeltacht: Language preference and practice'. International Journal Of Bilingual Education And Bilingualism, 10 :510-528 [DOI] [Details]
	(2002)	'Doimhne an Dúchais: Éagsúlacht san Aistriú Teanga i gCeap Breatainn na hAlban Nua' Ó hIfearnáin, Tadhg (2002) 'Doimhne an Dúchais: Éagsúlacht san Aistriú Teanga i gCeap Breatainn na hAlban Nua'. Taighde Agus Teagasc, 2 :62-91 [Details]
	(2000)	'Irish Language Broadcast Media: The Interaction of State Language Policy, Broadcasters and their Audiences' Ó hIfearnáin, Tadhg (2000) 'Irish Language Broadcast Media: The Interaction of State Language Policy, Broadcasters and their Audiences'. Current Issues in Language and Society, 7 :92-116 [DOI] [Details]

Pamphlet

	Year	Publication
	(2006)	Beartas Teanga: An Aimsir Óg, Páipéar Ócáideach 7. Ó hIfearnáin, Tadhg (2006) Beartas Teanga: An Aimsir Óg, Páipéar Ócáideach 7. Baile Átha Cliath: Coiscéim Pamphlet [Details]

Committees

Committee	Function	From / To
Language Policy	Editorial Board	/
Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development	Editorial Board	/
Language, Culture and Curriculum	Editorial Board	/
Sociolinguistic Studies	Editorial Board	/
IAITH: Y Ganolfan Cynllunio Iaith / Welsh Centre for Language Planning	Honorary Patron	/

Professional Associations

Association	Function	From / To
IRAAL: Irish Association for Applied Linguistics / Cumann na Teangeolaíochta Feidhmí.	Member	/
Réseau francophone de sociolinguistique	membre	/
ECIS: Eighteenth Century Ireland Society / Éire san Ochtú Céad Déag.	Member	/
An Cumann le Béaloideas Éireann	Member	/