Dramatising Identity on Irish Language Television: Aifric (TG4)

• Main Author: Ruth Lysaght
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Asociación Española de Estudios Irlandeses 2013-03-01
• Series: Estudios Irlandeses
• Subjects: Identity; Television; Irish language; Drama series; Production; TG4
• Online Access: http://www.estudiosirlandeses.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Ruth_Lysaght_8.pdf

Aifric (Telegael 2006-8) a live action comedy drama series for young teenagers, gives an extra dimension to a relatively conventional entertainment genre through its use of the Irish language on screen and on set. One of the largest scale longer-term drama productions for TG4, Aifric is aimed at an audience which enjoys Australian series, British soaps and American sit coms. Significantly, viewers are addressed as members of a similar culture, who understand its norms and expectations, rather than as some pan-global ‘youth audience’ who exist only to be entertained. Aifric presents humorous stories about somewhat quirky characters with credible relationships. Although the language is not foregrounded as a theme in the drama, its treatment results from very conscious decisions by the programme-makers. Performed by largely native-speaking actors, there is a strong drive to present a vibrant and funny Irish-speaking world. However, for most viewers, the use of the indigenous national language on screen remains noteworthy. Telegael were sensitive to this in taking on the commission, and in choosing to create an ‘Aifric universe’ where Irish is fluently used by everyone, add another layer to the question of Irish language identity.