OVERVIEW OF THE LINGUISTIC SITUATION IN THE UK (CASE STUDY: NORTHERN IRELAND)

The globalization processes have a great impact on the linguistic diversity throughout the world. They reshape the world that leads to the regional and minority languages endangerment. The phenomenon increases the scholars’ interest in survival, vitality, and maintenance of the disappearing languages. Regarding the issue, the European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages has been drawn up by Council of Europe. The Charter aims at promoting and protecting linguistic diversity as a part of Europe’s cultural heritage. The charter has been signed by 25 European counties, The UK included. After signing it, the UK claims to support, maintain, and promote its regional languages by planning the adequate language policy. The paper covers the linguistic situation in Northern Ireland referring to the Irish language. The region has a complicated history of the language contacts, namely Irish and English. The paper intends to review the linguistic situation going through historical background up to the present days. The study is based on the analysis of the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the region. The recap of the linguistic legislation of the region provides with the language policy directions, and the quantitative characteristics present implementation and results of the language policy, the nation’s attitudes towards Irish, and how Irish is used in education system and everyday communication. The data obtained allows seeing the big picture of Irish well-being in Northern Ireland. The research results make it possible to forecast the further functional dynamics of the Irish language in Northern Ireland and can be approached as an example of language policy planning practice.