Growing up as a young Irish person with a desire to learn and immerse myself in the Irish language, it's disheartening to see the limited resources available for language learners. In contrast to languages like French, Spanish, or Mandarin, which have ample subtitling resources available across various platforms, Irish remains underrepresented. This lack of representation goes beyond just personal inconvenience; it impacts cultural preservation and language revitalization efforts.

Irish, or Gaeilge, is not only a cornerstone of our national identity but also a living language that people speak daily. In recent years, there has been a revival of interest in learning Gaeilge, especially among young people who want to connect with their heritage in an increasingly globalized world. However, the tools to support these learners are limited. Television and film are powerful mediums for language learning, offering context, pronunciation, and cultural nuances that textbooks simply can't provide.

Netflix, as one of the world's leading entertainment platforms, has the capacity to make a significant difference. By adding Irish subtitles to all of its original TV shows and movies, Netflix would provide learners with an engaging and practical way to enhance their language skills. This small change could foster more inclusive content and empower more individuals to successfully engage with Irish language and culture.

Irish (Gaeilge) is not only a national language of Ireland, but also an official language of the European Union. It is spoken, studied, and celebrated by communities across Ireland and beyond. Despite this status, major streaming platforms such as Netflix provide little to no Irish-language subtitle support.

Adding Irish subtitles would help preserve and promote a language that forms a vital part of Ireland’s cultural identity. It would support fluent speakers, assist language learners, improve accessibility, and demonstrate Netflix’s commitment to serving the diverse linguistic communities of Europe.

The demand for Irish language support is neither trivial nor limited to Ireland. Many Irish descendants around the world are eager to reconnect with their roots, and having accessible language resources plays a crucial role in this process. Furthermore, supporting indigenous languages aligns with global movements to celebrate and preserve linguistic diversity, a goal that is increasingly recognized as vital.

By signing this petition, you are calling on Netflix to acknowledge the importance of linguistic diversity and cultural heritage. Let's take this step together towards ensuring Irish language learners have equal opportunities to access quality resources. Your support can help make Irish accessible for all. Join us in making a difference.