I previously wrote about the efforts in Ireland to roll back the Anglicanization (yes, I did choose that word deliberately) of Irish (“as Gaeilge”) place names. Here’s the latest, from the Irish Independent of 14 April 2007.
The story goes:
“A small village is set to win its battle to have its harlot restored to the community and be officially recognised by the State….
Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Eamon Ó Cuiv has approved a request made to him by Limerick County Council to change the Irish name of An Dún (Doon) to Dún Bleisce.
The people of Doon overwhelmingly came together to have the word ‘bleisce’ – meaning harlot as Gaeilge – restored to Doon or ‘Dún’ in Irish.
The ‘bleisce’ part of the official name was previously dropped by the Placenames Commission in 2003.”
This is most encouraging news, especially welcome to those of us who resent the pollution of our culture by the most toxic elements of foreign culture (hip-hop speak, Americanizations, Garrison town language, and so on). Long may this campaign continue.
What intrigues me, though, is that the “Doon” part of the name means “fort” in Irish (Dún). I’m wondering what a harlot was doing with such a fortress? I suppose we’ll have to await for another cultural assault by the Riverdance Brigade to find out…
Related News:
Paper Mario’s Controversial Translation
Nintendo’s Paper Mario video game localization team has sparked a dispute about how it translated sensitive language from Japanese to Traditional Chinese. Even without the… Continue Reading
The COVID-19 lessons businesses must learn
The spread of COVID-19 has significantly changed how we do business. France's national holiday, Bastille Day, was celebrated this July 14 not with the usual… Continue Reading
Five tips for running a localization business in China through COVID-19
Going through a financial crisis while your country is on lockdown is an experience we will most likely never forget. But even in this time… Continue Reading
Localizing for holidays in a changing world
Something we don’t talk a lot about when we talk about localization is keeping up with changing cultural ideology. Thanksgiving is a prime example. Held… Continue Reading
Career Opportunities
Featured Podcasts
Featured Vendors And Organizations
