Heidi McDonagh Clee, an Irish traveller and mum-of-two, explained that those in her community would communicate with each other in their own languages.
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But Heidi revealed that her school had in fact banned the children from speaking in this language – so much so that they would get a detention if they used it.
Not only this, but Heidi claimed that the language is sacred to those in the community, and wouldn’t be translated for non-travellers.
Posting on social media, when asked if she could translate Irish traveller and gypsy languages, Heidi explained: “With all due respect, absolutely not.”
She then revealed: “I’m talking specifically about the languages that the Irish Traveller and Gypsy people have.
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“Any of the variations, those languages are ultimately for the people to which they belong.
“There is no way that they can be shared. Languages are only for us, and they’re only to be shared for us.
We weren’t allowed to speak to one another in this language, it was completely banned
Heidi McDonagh Clee
“And if you don’t know it, it’s because you haven’t been taught, and it hasn’t been passed down.
“These languages are 1,000 years old at least, and they’re unwritten dialects, so they are passed on from generation to generation.
“They’re completely sacred to us as individuals. They do vary, don’t get me wrong, just as people vary from certain parts of the country.
“These things add to the individuality of the languages. These are indigenous languages.”
Heidi then reflected on her use of the language at school, as she continued: “I actually remember that me and my cousins and friends were banned from being allowed to speak our language in school.
“Weren’t allowed to talk it, we weren’t allowed to speak to one another in this language, it was completely banned.
These languages are very, very sacred to us. And no, you don’t get a translate
Heidi McDonagh Clee
“It was one of the school rules – we were not allowed to speak our own language.
“If we spoke it, we got detention during lunchtime, playtime – we weren’t allowed to go and play.
“We had to sit separately, because we spoke our language.
“So, yeah, these languages are very, very sacred to us. And no, you don’t get a translate.”
The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @h.mccc, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly racked up 17,100 views.
Travellers were keen to agree with Heidi’s claims, whilst others were left totally stunned, which many took to the comments to express.
That’s horrendous that you were treated like that as kids
TikTok user
One person said: “100% yes.”
Another added: “Grand to see someone with sense on this app.”
A third commented: “100% agree if my mammy knew I was telling non-travellers our language, she’d kill me.”
To this, Heidi replied: “I’d do the same to mine if they told.”
Differences between a gypsy and a traveller
Typically, Gypsies is a term used to describe Romani people, who migrated to Europe from India.
Meanwhile, traveller refers to a group of people who usually have either Irish, Scottish or English heritage.
While many English gypsy girls are allowed to drink alcohol and go on holiday with their friends before they get married, many Irish traveller girls are not allowed to do this.
Generally, both gypsies and travellers will share the same morals.
At the same time, someone else penned: “That’s horrendous that you were treated like that as kids at school.”
In response, Heidi explained: “Looking back it was horrible, but we were so used to it. In every school it was the same, and I’ve been to a few schools.”
Whilst another user expressed: “I’m shocked that this recently you weren’t allowed to speak your native tongue.”
Heidi then replied and claimed: “They were clearly hoping to stamp it out.”
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