Wah Yu Wan

[Rat Catcher]

Chinese couple told to reapply for citizenship in English after applying in Irish

Couple now awaiting publication of new Irish language form to reapply for naturalisation

Fri, Apr 16, 2021, 15:48 Updated: Fri, Apr 16, 2021, 15:50
Sorcha Pollak

A Chinese couple who applied for Irish citizenship last year had the paperwork returned by the Department of Justice because they had submitted the application in Irish.
Fangzhe Qiu and Lijing Peng applied for naturalisation in September 2020 but last month their application was returned and they were told to reapply through English.

Mr Qiu is a lecturer and assistant professor at UCD’s School of Irish Celtic Studies and Folklore, has lived in Ireland since 2011 and speaks Irish. Ms Peng is a linguistic anthropologist and assistant lecturer at Trinity College Dublin’s centre for literary translation. She has lived in Ireland since 2008.

Three years ago, Ms Peng secured her new work permit after her husband wrote to the Department of Employment in Irish to complain about delays in the process. “My permit was approved within a week and since then we naturally thought using Irish would be a way to dodge the slow application process.”

The couple also have a “special affection for and attachment to the Irish language”, said Ms Peng. “Fangzhe is a committed scholar of old Irish and our son has been in a Gaelscoil for six years and will hopefully grow up to become one in a new generation of native Irish speakers.”

“It’s not just about the delay, it’s the attitude towards the Irish language,” added Mr Qiu, who has conducted all correspondence with Government officials on this topic through Irish. “People are being discriminated against without these developments.”

In December, three months after applying, the couple’s passports were sent back. On March 1st, they learned their submission had been declined because the Irish form was not up to date and told they needed to reapply using the latest English language documents.

“Our entire application had been returned to us including all application materials and the application fee,” said Ms Peng. “It’s obvious that they didn’t even look at our form in five months, including the time when they returned our passports in mid-December.”

Read on:

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/chinese-couple-told-to-reapply-for-citizenship-in-english-after-applying-in-irish-1.4539492

[Octavia1]

I had 2 Chinese from Conamara speaking Irish in the back a few tears ago...g. Apparently it's a big hobby in China learning to speak Irish...... An thers loads them speaks it better than mise ta Alan gaylgee agum but I reckon Ther preparations for invasion.....na bé tú ag ábalta a suas to them cnuts atall atall

[Cool Boola]

I went out for Chinese last night, I told the waiter that the chicken was rubbery...
He thanked me.

[john m]

In a pub in Spiddil  30 years ago with Big Dommo ,Billy the Bastard and Duncan Cummins from the Big Gaff near the flats he had his Das Car .We were in pub argueing with the barman because we wouldnt order pints in Irish .A big tall bloke walks in goes straight up to the Bar and orders Pinta Guinness Marshea Your Holly or whatever you say .Barman sticks up the pint and the big lad swills if down orders another Guinness Arish he shouts in a broad Galway Accent ,barman obliges .then the Barman says to him An Bhill To American ?The big lad is surprised .He says to the Barman how did you know I thought my Irish was good and my Accent was perfect how did you know I was American .Barman looks at him and says Arent you Black .