Translation of Names (place names, surnames etc) into Irish

Nothingcompares

Why do we regularly translate names into Irish?

Like you'll often see it in the GAA programme (John Smyth = Séan Mac Gabhann) and on road signs (Galway, Gaillimh).

Obviously the place names thing has a practical purpose. Irish speakers call Galway Gaillimh and road signs should be written in both languages. But John Smyth's name is John Smyth not Séan Mac Gabhann. Similarly, if someone calls them self Pól Ó' Griofa I wouldn't call them Paul Griffin.

Like I can appreciate the fact that Piotr (Polish), Pierre (French) Peadar etc. are equivalents but i odn't think that's the same thing.

craoltoir

Tá an ceart agat.

An gal gréine

I agree. I think it's G.A.A. policy to translate all players' names into Irish, but I dont think it's widespread elsewhere. I know a few people called Seán and they say that regularly the fada is left out when writing their name or as in the case you mention it's put on the wrong letter, "e". This would sound as Shane in English, are we back to square one ?

topper75

I agree OP. I think these efforts to translate absolutely everything don't really add to the integrity of the language.

pog it

You could always ring GAA HQ and ask them.. Actually Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann do the same thing to entrants' names for fleadh competitions! I would say that both organisations being so deep in Irish culture, they do it as a natural rite of passage. Also, if you think about it, a lot of GAA and music families go back generations. I see it as a mark of respect for our ancestors.

ZWEI_VIER_ZWEI

Why not? Because it's not their name, quite simply.

Would you not find it a bit silly if we started translating say, Jacques Chirac into Jack 'whatever the Anglicisation of Chirac is' when we report on him in the news?

pog it

ZWEI_VIER_ZWEI wrote: »

Why not? Because it's not their name, quite simply.

Would you not find it a bit silly if we started translating say, Jacques Chirac into Jack 'whatever the Anglicisation of Chirac is' when we report on him in the news?

I think if the player in question wants their name in English on the GAA programs, then I don't think the GAA would object!

But obviously the players themselves haven't been complaining since it remains unchanged.

I've had my name changed to the Irish version of my surname on the Comhaltas programs, and I hadn't any problem with that! I think it's up to the person who has their name changed to decide whether it's a problem for them or not.

mr chips

ZWEI_VIER_ZWEI wrote: »

Why not? Because it's not their name, quite simply.

Would you not find it a bit silly if we started translating say, Jacques Chirac into Jack 'whatever the Anglicisation of Chirac is' when we report on him in the news?

Thing is though, this is what actually happened here for generations! There didn't used to be any such name as (random example) "Kelly" - the surname "Ó Ceallaigh" was simply anglicised by those who either couldn't be bothered to spell it correctly, or did so as part of a deliberate colonial policy of eradicating the native language and identity. (This isn't a "Brit-hating" post, by the way, just well-documented bit of history.) So I guess that the likes of GAA, CCE etc are simply attempting to ensure people are aware of their heritage and how their names used to be.

conchubhar1

oh how we forget

how many people can trace their surname in english back more than say 200 years?

Múinteoir

The raison d'etre of the GAA was originally to promote all elements of Gaelic culture, with a particular emphasis on the games. But they were meant to promote the language too, as much as possible. They've been terrible at it, in the same way the government has, but they still engage in this lip-service of translating people's names to give the impression that reviving the language is still a priority for them, which is clearly isn't.

pog it

I'm not sure the GAA are totally hopeless at helping the Irish cause, but yeah maybe they could do more, absolutely.
In my parish, they gave scholarships for Gaeltacht courses and also I have been looking around online to see what's out there irish courses wise, and Ulster GAA along with Comhairle Uladh are offering a week's course in July with all the bells and whistles for all levels and it appears to be free!
Well it's something. I would hope there are more GAA clubs around the country offering Gaeltacht scholarships.

conchubhar1

the gaa was set up too late to help stop the decline of irish and even to be a mainly irish speaking organization itself

it has done a bit to support it - some to help it decline

no more less than the govt and that has much more funding and the language is one of its major areas and its job whereas its not the gaa's

mr chips

I completely agree that the government bears a much, much greater responsibility to promote and support Irish than the GAA. However, there's no denying that the GAA was set up partly for that purpose. It has been much more successful at promoting/nurturing Gaelic sports than it has been at promoting/nurturing the Gaelic language. I think it that when comparing its success in those two key areas of activity, overall it has failed on its stated raison d'etre in relation to the language.