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irish - a diplomatic language.

  • 17-01-2010 10:44AM
    #1
    nbrome
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 69 ✭✭


    I'm intrigued that Irish has no words for Yes and No. Does this make it the most diplomatic language in the world?
    Also intrigued that the Irish has passed over into the English. An Irish person is much more likely to reply "he does", "I did", "it won't" etc etc than just saying yes or no.
    Curiousities in a fascinating language.


Comments

  • #2
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 31,828 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Not really, the lack of a yes and no in hiberno-english can be seen as being unable to give a straight answer to a direct question in certain quarters.

    Some people in Britain expect a simple yes or no answer to a direct question and see any other answer as being "evasive".


  • #3
    Múinteoir
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,184 ✭✭✭Múinteoir


    nbrome wrote: »
    I'm intrigued that Irish has no words for Yes and No. Does this make it the most diplomatic language in the world?
    Also intrigued that the Irish has passed over into the English. An Irish person is much more likely to reply "he does", "I did", "it won't" etc etc than just saying yes or no.
    Curiousities in a fascinating language.


    It's not that Irish has no translation for Yes/No, but rather that it has lots of them, depending on context.


  • #4
    irishdub14
    Closed Accounts Posts: 454 ✭✭irishdub14


    nbrome wrote: »
    I'm intrigued that Irish has no words for Yes and No. Does this make it the most diplomatic language in the world?
    Also intrigued that the Irish has passed over into the English. An Irish person is much more likely to reply "he does", "I did", "it won't" etc etc than just saying yes or no.
    Curiousities in a fascinating language.

    it makes it the most f*cked up language in the world.....!!! why can't we ever be easy and straightforeward????!! It amazes me!!! trust us irish to come up with a lingo that doesnt have a word for yes and no........!! :rolleyes:


  • #5
    Micilin Muc
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,842 ✭✭✭Micilin Muc


    irishdub14 wrote: »
    why can't we ever be easy and straightforeward????!!

    It is straightforward. Answer the question with the verb used. You'll soon figure out if people aren't listening to your question if they answer with the wrong verb!

    irishdub14 wrote: »
    trust us irish to come up with a lingo that doesnt have a word for yes and no........!! :rolleyes:

    We do have words for yes and no. More words than any other language!!


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