The bigger picture: The Irish language is deeply important. It is the way a group of people - us, we - have expressed ourselves to each other for generations.
We have used Irish to communicate our love, share our struggles, learn about each other and go about the business of life.
It is a language that serves the same purpose as any other, but this one comes from us.
Communicating with each other is one of the most significant activities humans engage in. We use language to share technology, progress and form relationships with each other. We need it to survive.
In particular, our own language is specifically valuable.
The language of our people has been designed and developed to communicate our experience and view of the world.
It is a unique recording of a way of life, philosophy and set of relationships. We may learn the languages of other people (sometimes forced) but it never replaces our story - the insight into who we are and why we do things as we do.
I grew up speaking Hindi. It was my first language. While not the one I use most or arguably am most proficient in, it means the world to me to be born and raised in the diaspora and still a Hindi speaker.
My language connects me with my people, our philosophies and ways of thinking.
I grew up knowing that language has little to do with economic value, and everything to do with identity and closeness.
Thus, one of the first things I did when I moved to Ireland was begin the journey of learning Irish - not because I thought it would be easy or was "fascinated", but because I felt that this was the only way I would really understand the country that was now my home, and the people who would love me here.
Although most of you won't speak it, this is still true.
As a child, I noticed with interest the phrases that could not be translated directly between Hindi and English.
One is "I'm sorry", and I think it speaks volumes. The Hindi phrase is "Muje maf kije", please forgive me.
Here stands the difference in two cultures: one is individualistic where personal sadness is revered above all; the other is communal where the agreement of the injured party - and so social reconciliation - is of most importance.
Tá mé beagán Gaeilge ach tigim mé that the Irish language tells the story of these people and what has happened on this land.
The value is in not what we can get from our language, but what it gives to us - that we take for granted until it finds its way into our hearts and minds and hopefully our dreams.
Language is dynamic - responding to the present, growing and changing. It is where we have come from and what we will hand to our children.
We may choose to pass on someone else's beliefs and history, but we will do it without truly knowing ourselves.
Irish people can speak Irish. Regardless of how inadequate we may feel when we do, or badly we felt when we were learning, anyone who did it through school truly has a decent enough level of vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation to make it a living experience.
We see this while abroad on holidays. This is when Irish people turn to speaking Irish, and discover we can find the words we want. More so, we want to. And so it is possible to bring it into our lived culture at home.
Let us speak in Irish with each other. If it must be as a second language, let it be so to bring it to life.
Let's not correct each other in our grammar or pronunciation. Let's take classes for that.
In the meantime, just enjoy some understanding with each other - expressing who we know we are. And let us just speak. It's actually not as important to read and write. We can pick that up later.
Whether young or old, humans learn language by integrating sounds with meaning. Let's just make it mean something.
Finally, let our primary school system be enough in Irish to ensure that every child attending school is a fluent speaker.
Why not? They're currently speaking through English, and no one's concerned.
Play and learn through Irish and everyone will have it in the next generation. We will be the last of our people who felt displaced while still at home.
For our immigrants who didn't learn Irish in school, let's not make our language a means of excluding people but offer the supports to learn it in our communities and workplaces.
Those of us coming from African or Asian countries already typically have three or four before arriving.
Being required to learn this one will not hold us back and is quite feasible. But, do not demand it of us until you choose to speak it yourself, for we can bring enthusiasm and ability, but we cannot make you have pride.
• Shalini Sinha works as a life coach and counsellor, practising the Bowen Technique and is part of The Health Squad on RTÉ.