It just occurred to me today......

candlegrease · 02-07-2009 9:36pm #1

........that we are very fortunate the English colonised us for hundreds of years.* If it never happened we would still be speaking Irish exclusively, not that I have a problem with that, but without English we would be completely shut off from the outside world, our economy would never have got going at all due to the language barrier, and the whole country would generally be an awful lot worse off.

What pisses me off though, is the idiots who start complaining about the 800 years of oppression (not that I condone it), and then turn on their music videos or whatever the next day and generally tune into their privileged, English-centred lifestyle. Yes, I know the music videos example is a bit random.

But anyway, thoughts?

*I'm not English.

KeyLimePie · 02-07-2009 9:39pm

Oh god yeah I agree. It's not like anyone in france, or germany, or india, or japan, or africa speaks english either............... $:\$

Biggins · 02-07-2009 9:39pm

...without English we would be completely shut off from the outside world, our economy would never have got going at all due to the language barrier, and the whole country would generally be an awful lot worse off.

I think you haven't thought the above through.
So we would be up the creek if we were only speaking our own language and not English?
Gee - I can't imagine how other European countries are coping with their other languages!
They must be really behind the times and more downtrodden, trying to cope socially, politically and economically. :rolleyes:

Professey Chin · 02-07-2009 9:40pm

Im more pissed off the romans didnt get to us. We might actually have a decent road infrastructure if they did

Captain Darling · 02-07-2009 9:42pm

candlegrease wrote: »

........that we are very fortunate the English colonised us for hundreds of years.* If it never happened we would still be speaking Irish exclusively, not that I have a problem with that, but without English we would be completely shut off from the outside world, our economy would never have got going at all due to the language barrier, and the whole country would generally be an awful lot worse off.

What pisses me off though, is the idiots who start complaining about the 800 years of oppression (not that I condone it), and then turn on their music videos or whatever the next day and generally tune into their privileged, English-centred lifestyle. Yes, I know the music videos example is a bit random.

But anyway, thoughts?

*I'm not English.

If my aunt had balls, she'd be my uncle.

Pop's Diner · 02-07-2009 9:42pm

I'm all for learning English as a foriegn language, but the OP is correct. I certainly find it easier to follow whats going on in Corrie, Eastenders and the other one and cheer on my favourite British football club by virtue of having English as my native tongue.

galwayrush · 02-07-2009 9:42pm

Ultimate Chin wrote: »

Im more pissed off the romans didnt get to us. We might actually have a decent road infrastructure if they did

We would probably have dug them up because they represented the foreign occupier, well, after all, we did get rid of most of our rail lines.:rolleyes:

4zn76tysfajdxp · 02-07-2009 9:43pm

OP, you're wrong about everything.

eddiehead · 02-07-2009 9:43pm

No, we'd just be bilingual

jumpguy · 02-07-2009 9:43pm

Biggins wrote: »

I think you haven't thought the above through.
So we would be up the creek if we were only speaking our own language and not English?
Gee - I can't imagine how other European countries are coping with their other languages!
They must be really behind the times and more downtrodden, trying to cope socially, politically and economically. :rolleyes:

Yeah but with French, a large population of French speaking people in many countries.
Irish, a small little population speaking it in Ireland. Hoo-ha.

Okay, so yeah, it's not the greatest factor, but it is a factor nonetheless.

Now, if we could speak Irish and English, it'd be much better.

Professey Chin · 02-07-2009 9:44pm

galwayrush wrote: »

We would probably have dug them up because they represented the foreign occupier, well, after all, we did get rid of most of our rail lines.:rolleyes:

True.We really are a country of idiots

Michellenman · 02-07-2009 9:45pm

It just occurred to me today....

....that AH needed a bit of stirring and you thought you'd cause some trouble:rolleyes:

Biggins · 02-07-2009 9:46pm

jumpguy wrote: »

...Now, if we could speak Irish and English, it'd be much better.

Aaa here now... What do you think we are? I can barely work out how to turn on the pc!

marbar · 02-07-2009 9:46pm

Jaylene Steep Spring wrote: »

OP, you're wrong about everything.

this is correct

Lu Tze · 02-07-2009 9:47pm

the OP missed out the best arguement, we can holiday in all the other former british colonies without having to carry a travel adapter for the plugs

SEPT 23 1989 · 02-07-2009 9:47pm

language great English is

galwayrush · 02-07-2009 9:47pm

Ultimate Chin wrote: »

True.We really are a country of idiots

Naw. we're actually ok, it's the people who run the place who are the idiots, now who elects them........oh wait.................

dsmythy · 02-07-2009 9:48pm

This thread's trouble.

I wonder how the Danes, Dutch, Finns, Greeks, Icelanders, Norwegians and Portuguese ever got by without English as a first language!

Shane_C · 02-07-2009 9:48pm

We would be speaking english anyway. Such a small country with such a powerful neighbour would add a lot of dependency.
We would still have bbc tv, that would learn us.

To be honest, I see the argument as: was it worth 800 years of brutality and oppression (to hell or to connaught etc) for 20 - 100 years of prosperity? A bit selfish if you ask me. Wasn't worth it.

jumpguy · 02-07-2009 9:48pm

KeyLimePie wrote: »

Oh god yeah I agree. It's not like anyone in france, or germany, or india, or japan, or africa speaks english either............... $:\$

Africa is not a country. :P Unless you did the continent...in which case, quite a lot of it is capable of speaking English due to colonism (sp?) there too.

marbar · 02-07-2009 9:48pm

me fail english?
that's umpossible

javaboy · 02-07-2009 9:49pm

itsallabouttheL don't post that again.

nlgbbbblth · 02-07-2009 9:50pm

Jaylene Steep Spring wrote: »

OP, you're wrong about everything.

Not everything.

candlegrease wrote: »

........that we are very fortunate the English colonised us for hundreds of years.* If it never happened we would still be speaking Irish exclusively, not that I have a problem with that, but without English we would be completely shut off from the outside world, our economy would never have got going at all due to the language barrier, and the whole country would generally be an awful lot worse off.

Wrong.

candlegrease wrote: »

What pisses me off though, is the idiots who start complaining about the 800 years of oppression (not that I condone it), and then turn on their music videos or whatever the next day and generally tune into their privileged, English-centred lifestyle. Yes, I know the music videos example is a bit random.

Right. There are loads in hypocrites in this country who hold love / hate relationships with the English. Make up your f*cking minds, you morons!

Spiritoftheseventies · 02-07-2009 9:52pm

are you saying we should be grateful for eight hundred years of oppression. wont bore you with the history. everyone knows it. ridiculous thread.

eddiehead · 02-07-2009 9:53pm

javaboy wrote: »

itsallabouttheL don't post that again.

I hate when mods to that! Because now I know it was controversial and I want to see what it was!:pac:

Biggins · 02-07-2009 9:54pm

I smell trouble coming with this thread.
Can I vote for closure if only for it will go nowhere good?

candlegrease · 02-07-2009 9:54pm

This is not a joke topic.

Anyways.............I know people made the point about other countries but my argument goes as follows:

1. We are a very small nation
2. We are an island, and so much more isolated that other nations.
3. I know we wouldn't be completely banjaxed, but the whole colonisation thing definitely helped.

Shane_C · 02-07-2009 9:55pm

nlgbbbblth wrote: »

Not everything.

Wrong.

Right. There are loads in hypocrites in this country who hold love / hate relationships with the English. Make up your f*cking minds, you morons!

Very good. I have loads of mini Repulican friends who follow arsenal, united, liverpool etc...

Pop's Diner · 02-07-2009 9:55pm

Things in this country should thank the British for :

1. Language
2. Architecture
3. Blonde British women (south of Birmingham).

Shane_C · 02-07-2009 9:57pm

Google: "langerland - Top 10 - What Have The Brits Ever Done For Us?"

Joey the lips · 02-07-2009 10:07pm

candlegrease wrote: »

........

*I'm not English.

No but judgeing by your previous posts your about 18 and have a very poor history and geography knowledge. If as a nation we all spoke irish as you put it then like say switzerland or even andora in the mountains of spain we would be no doubt multicultural and speak at least 2 languages Irish and English. Instead we only speak one and rather badly at that! The tourist industry would be very interesting though

I am sad by the fact I do not speak irish very well. I think as a society it ruins our identity in life

brummytom · 02-07-2009 10:10pm

candlegrease wrote: »

........that we are very fortunate the English colonised us for hundreds of years.* If it never happened we would still be speaking Irish exclusively, not that I have a problem with that, but without English we would be completely shut off from the outside world, our economy would never have got going at all due to the language barrier, and the whole country would generally be an awful lot worse off.

What pisses me off though, is the idiots who start complaining about the 800 years of oppression (not that I condone it), and then turn on their music videos or whatever the next day and generally tune into their privileged, English-centred lifestyle. Yes, I know the music videos example is a bit random.

But anyway, thoughts?

*I'm not English.

*Takes a bow* You're welcome...

You're wrong by the way

ScumLord · 02-07-2009 10:53pm

Captain Darling wrote: »

If my aunt had balls, she'd be my uncle.

Technically she'd just be a transvestite but if you and your family are willing to go along with it then more power to ye.

carlybabe1 · 02-07-2009 10:56pm

candlegrease wrote: »

........that we are very fortunate the English colonised us for hundreds of years.* If it never happened we would still be speaking Irish exclusively, not that I have a problem with that, but without English we would be completely shut off from the outside world, our economy would never have got going at all due to the language barrier, and the whole country would generally be an awful lot worse off.

What pisses me off though, is the idiots who start complaining about the 800 years of oppression (not that I condone it), and then turn on their music videos or whatever the next day and generally tune into their privileged, English-centred lifestyle. Yes, I know the music videos example is a bit random.

But anyway, thoughts?

*I'm not English.

Eh, Im pretty sure that other foreign coutries speak english as well as thier own language, Canada for example, as well as China and Japan etc.

ScumLord · 02-07-2009 11:00pm

carlybabe1 wrote: »

Eh, Im pretty sure that other foreign coutries speak english as well as thier own language, Canada for example, as well as China and Japan etc.

Many learn it as a second language but any Japanese I've spoken with had very poor English. I almost wanted to learn Japanese just so they'd stop talking English.

I'll go out on a limb and assume the vast majority of Chinese don't speak English either.

European country's are very good for having English as a second language.

Sam Vimes · 02-07-2009 11:03pm

dsmythy wrote: »

This thread's trouble.

I wonder how the Danes, Dutch, Finns, Greeks, Icelanders, Norwegians and Portuguese ever got by without English as a first language!

Most of those countries are much bigger than Ireland and you'll find that, especially in the smaller ones, they all speak perfect english. So if the english had never colonised us, we'd most likely still speak english as well as we already do.

But if they never colonised us they may never have gone on to colonise anyone and the world would probably be speaking spanish :eek: then we'd be up **** creek

Guy:Incognito · 02-07-2009 11:05pm

It's just a pity they cut us loose.

carlybabe1 wrote: »

, Canada for example,.

Being colonised did help with that of course.

Their own language is Enlish BTW. It just happens that theres a large section that use French.

02-07-2009 11:16pm

Sam Vimes wrote: »

Most of those countries are much bigger than Ireland and you'll find that, especially in the smaller ones, they all speak perfect english. So if the english had never colonised us, we'd most likely still speak english as well as we already do.

Many of the smaller countries in Europe have educated their children in at lease one other language, or frequently two for the simple fact that it is expected that they would need to use that language at some point in their lives.

But in all cases, they speak the local lingo when at home, even a small country like Holland has regional dialects.

Ireland would have done the same if things were different!

Mars Bar · 02-07-2009 11:18pm

Would we really be bilingual though?!

We can't even teach Irish properly, I doubt we would have been able to teach English properly.

However, I do see the other side to my argument:

Would we talk have been able to pick up English as a second language better than Irish as a second language due to the influence of our neighbours.

But if it was the case that we were fluent in Irish, surely we would be a lot more immersed in our own games such as the GAA and not feel the need to watch soccer. Our channels would probably be in Irish full time, meaning that if we were comfortable with our language, we wouldn't feel the need for BBC and the likes. Hence, lessening our neighbours influence on us.

IMO, a good thread for getting ya thinking, but full of what if's and contradictions.

I don't mind too much, England gave my mam and dad jobs and a chance of survival and they met over there. I was born there but only lived there for a couple of years and moved here when I was really young. Ireland is definitely my home, but I have nothing against the English at all.

carlybabe1 · 02-07-2009 11:19pm

Pop's Diner wrote: »

I'm all for learning English as a foriegn language, but the OP is correct. I certainly find it easier to follow whats going on in Corrie, Eastenders and the other one and cheer on my favourite British football club by virtue of having English as my native tongue.

For starters, ye need to get a life, instead of watching that soap crap. Id rather learn swahili than watch that sh*t

Ultimate Chin wrote: »

Im more pissed off the romans didnt get to us. We might actually have a decent road infrastructure if they did

RLOL!!:D:D:D You deffo have a point there, makes one wonder what the road tax is squandered on

candlegrease wrote: »

This is not a joke topic.

Are you sure???

Anyways.............I know people made the point about other countries but my argument goes as follows:

1. We are a very small nation

Small, but there are smaller

2. We are an island, and so much more isolated that other nations.

Eh, HELLO! We're hardly isolated, its not like we're in the armpit of the Antartic. If you look at the history, we are a prime site for countries looking to invade Europe. Why do you think we remained nuetral in both world wars, and why we were invaded by the vikings.

3. I know we wouldn't be completely banjaxed, but the whole colonisation thing definitely helped.

Hows that now?? Other than to instill a couple hundred years of servitude into our culture

Pop's Diner wrote: »

Things in this country should thank the British for :

1. Language

Pretty sure we had our own

2. Architecture

Pretty sure we had our own version of that too, doubt we were all dimwits, and we didnt have the option of education but we still did pretty good

3. Blonde British women (south of Birmingham).

OOH YESSS!! lest we should forget the backcombed straw-like hair, muffin-topped sprayed on jeans, neon tops and matching shoes, white discus sized hoop earring, drawn on eyebrows, and general slapper attitude

ScumLord wrote: »

Many learn it as a second language but any Japanese I've spoken with had very poor English. I almost wanted to learn Japanese just so they'd stop talking English.

I'll go out on a limb and assume the vast majority of Chinese don't speak English either.

Actually any that I have come across have spoken very good english, definately with inflection, but understandabl (sp?) none the less

European country's are very good for having English as a second language.

Pretty sure its the same in Chinese & Japanese schools

carlybabe1 · 02-07-2009 11:24pm

Stekelly wrote: »

It's just a pity they cut us loose.

Being colonised did help with that of course.

Their own language is Enlish BTW. It just happens that theres a large section that use French.

Im pretty sure their main language is french, english is secondary. Ill check, and its not impossible you're right and Im wrong

Spiritoftheseventies · 02-07-2009 11:26pm

time to close this post!

02-07-2009 11:35pm

With the exception of france, many European countries are very open to a second language and have no problems with English language entertainment and many youngsters learn their English from this.

Biggins · 02-07-2009 11:39pm

bayviewclose wrote: »

time to close this post thread!

..and I agree!

ScumLord · 02-07-2009 11:45pm

carlybabe1 wrote: »

Actually any that I have come across have spoken very good english, definately with inflection, but understandabl (sp?) none the less

Pretty sure its the same in Chinese & Japanese schools

Maybe I'm wrong, I'm just assuming that the vast majority of dirt poor Chinese wouldn't be thought the language of evil westerners.

nibtrix · 02-07-2009 11:47pm

carlybabe1 wrote: »

Im pretty sure their main language is french, english is secondary. Ill check, and its not impossible you're right and Im wrong

Whoa, hang on! The main language in Canada is English (if US English). Only in the province of Quebec is French the main language!

02-07-2009 11:49pm

ScumLord wrote: »

Maybe I'm wrong, I'm just assuming that the vast majority of dirt poor Chinese wouldn't be thought the language of evil westerners.

You're right, only the intelligent educated who may be able to trade with westerners are taught English & other languages.

India of course have been very successful in this, you'll know how successful the next time you need to phone "customer suport" for many products.

02-07-2009 11:51pm

nibtrix wrote: »

Whoa, hang on! The main language in Canada is English (if US English). Only in the province of Quebec is French the main language!

Don't tell the canadians that, they think they have their own dialect of english!

Greenmachine · 02-07-2009 11:51pm

This thread wants to make me vomit. It reeks of bigotry.

fcleere · 03-07-2009 12:01am

Technically she'd just be a transvestite but if you and your family are willing to go along with it then more power to ye.

no technically she would be a hermaphrodite or a transexual :pac:

ScumLord · 03-07-2009 12:47am

fcleere wrote: »

no technically she would be a hermaphrodite or a transexual :pac:

Now I know!

It just occurred to me today......

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