what use is Irish?

Fuinseog · 13-06-2010 6:46pm #1

I have spent the last year travelling through this country and have arrived at the conclusion that less than 5% are able or willing to have a normal conversation in the language.

In the SF shop in west belfast they just gave me a strange look when I sought to parley in the langauge that they claim to be so important to their culture.

i was in the Mayo Gaeltacht, where all the signs are as Gaeilge and bare no resemblance to whats on the the map. the people there do not appear to speak the language.

in Spideal in Galway they were willing to speak Irish, but even that seems threatened.

In Dingle Daingean they are concentated on making a quick buck and only answer you in english.

so what is the point in learning a language if no one is prepared to use it beyond a few phrases like 'pog mo thoin' and 'tiocfaidh ar la'?

pog it · 13-06-2010 11:01pm

Fuinseog, I know exactly what you're saying. After spending the past year and more getting my Irish good, I really really wish I had more opportunities to speak it. I absolutely love the language, I read a lot in it, listen to RnaG, and man, am I glad to have it. It is the best thing I ever did. But the one thing I don't get the same chance to do as much is speak it. It doesn't depress me in the clinical sense

but it does seriously annoy me that more people don't bother their ass to learn it.

Anyway, I'm lucky in that I have friends who are fluent enough in it, and one of my closest friends has got back to it, as is my sister who I get on great with, so I'll be using it more and more in the future once they get to a good level. I'm already helping them.

Also, most importantly, look at it this way. You can bring your children up with Irish if you are fluent yourself, and yes they may be in an Ireland where the Gaeltacht is weaker than it is now, but then again, maybe not. And once you get your kids and family speaking it, you have done more for Ireland than most ever will.

conor.hogan.2 · 14-06-2010 2:50pm

Dingle and most of Mayo are not really the Gaeltacht (only in name and grant are they)

That is a large part of why you had problems.

arse..biscuits · 15-06-2010 9:13pm

I feel your pain. It can be a bit disheartening sometimes putting so much effort into learning the language and getting so little chance to use it.

Its not going to stop me learning it tough.

shofukan · 15-06-2010 9:16pm

what use is Irish?

Very little.

Legend45 · 16-06-2010 8:04pm

i'm from a gaeltacht myself and and i must admit less people are using it except for the older people.

i really really love the language and just wish more people spoke it but nobody really seems to care, even here, never mind anywhere else.:(

Mrwolf · 16-06-2010 8:12pm

I hate it when forigners start speaking whatever language they speak to each other in front of you when they know you won't understand may aswell just whispper to each other in front of you , Irish is great when they do that just start speaking it and they soon see what they've been doing

RachPie · 16-06-2010 8:14pm

Although it's not widely spoken, I guess it's part of your own history, your ancestors more than likely spoke this ancient language. I didn't really enjoy learning it, but I think its more the way it was taught and the battleaxe teachers I had (only a minority but they made it far less enjoyable!).

Fuinseog · 16-06-2010 8:19pm

Legend45 wrote: »

i'm from a gaeltacht myself and and i must admit less people are using it except for the older people.

i really really love the language and just wish more people spoke it but nobody really seems to care, even here, never mind anywhere else.:(

I can understand that. I notice in Galway it is considered cool to speak Irish. it was not in the eighties. attitudes have since changed, maybe because the tourists like to hear it spoken. they also like to see it written, which is one reason why there are so many signs as Gaeilge around Galway.
I do not know if it is the right thing to do but when in the Gaeltacht I speak Irish, if I know they understand me and they can answer me in wahtever language they want.

its considered old fashioned but the fainne did help recognise Irish speakers.

Fuinseog · 16-06-2010 8:23pm

RachPie wrote: »

Although it's not widely spoken, I guess it's part of your own history, your ancestors more than likely spoke this ancient language. I didn't really enjoy learning it, but I think its more the way it was taught and the battleaxe teachers I had (only a minority but they made it far less enjoyable!).

Irish is not taught in school. the government neither wishes to promote it not get rid of it. it is a dreadful mess

Jay Pentatonic · 17-06-2010 10:19am

I never knew about people in the Gaeltacht aren't willing to speak Irish, that's such a shame since I wanted to spend a year in the dingle area after college.:(
Better rethink that!!!:eek:

I can't speak for the people in the Gaeltacht, but in the rest of the country the reluctance is definitely due to memories from school.
If it was only taught like Spanish/French/German & not full of literature etc Irish probably wouldn't be as it is now.
I suppose at this stage it's down to the individual, if there are still people willing to learn it, there'll still be people willing to speak it.
That's the problem though, not a lot want to learn it.:(

I argree with everyone the way it gets a bit disheartening

Fuinseog · 17-06-2010 2:20pm

Jay1989 wrote: »

I never knew about people in the Gaeltacht aren't willing to speak Irish, that's such a shame since I wanted to spend a year in the dingle area after college.:(
Better rethink that!!!:eek:

I can't speak for the people in the Gaeltacht, but in the rest of the country the reluctance is definitely due to memories from school.
If it was only taught like Spanish/French/German & not full of literature etc Irish probably wouldn't be as it is now.
I suppose at this stage it's down to the individual, if there are still people willing to learn it, there'll still be people willing to speak it.
That's the problem though, not a lot want to learn it.:(
I argree with everyone the way it gets a bit disheartening

languages are poorly taught in general. we should do a little french literature in school instead of spending 6 years and only barely being able to mutter a few simple phrases.

in the case of Irish the syllabus is being dumbed down and there are LC students who cannot say 'my name is' and that after 12 years.

I persoanlly got a lot out of the literature part of the course when i did the LC. its the only time a lot of people will ever read a book in irish.

contrary to popular belief there are books in irish that are readable.

Legend45 · 18-06-2010 2:46pm

Jay1989 wrote: »

I never knew about people in the Gaeltacht aren't willing to speak Irish, that's such a shame since I wanted to spend a year in the dingle area after college.:(
Better rethink that!!!:eek:

now i cant speak for the peoples in dingle but in galway thats the case, now everyone has irish and everyone will speak it if you speak it to them but its that first few minutes when you meet someone in the gaeltacht: am i going to try and speak irish or will i just speak english?

whatever you speak to them first, thats it, no turning back.

alot of people i speak to outside of the gaetacht say that all they can say at the end of 6 years in secondary is "póg mo thóin" thats a disgrace. At first i was completly against the new irish syllabus they're bringing in but it looks as though it can improve spoken irish with 60% going to the oral, but in a case like mine with no literature it will be a joke altogether. Applied irish should be seen as a seperate subject.

deise go deo · 19-06-2010 1:04am

Well for me I think Gaeilge is very Important.
I dont know why it is so important to me except a feeling that it is my laungauge and that when I am talking to someone As gaeilge it just feels natural.

Táim sa ciorcal comhrá i gcathair Port Láirge.
We get together every week and talk i n-gaeilge le ceile.
As for Irish in the Gaeltacht,We went down to An Rinn Cupla seachtain ó shin.
We went for a short walk and then went back to the pub. It was really nice to wander around and talk to people as gaeilge without any feeling that it was in any way unusual to do so. In general I find that if you talk Irish to someone in the gaeltacht they have no problem talking back in Irish.
As they tend to be small rural places I guess the people who live there feel that if they havent seen you before then your probably not from the area and wont know any Irish making it pointless to start talking to you As gaeilge.

Going to the gaeltacht is a good idea if you want to learn Irish,Just look at Des Bishop. though Dingle wouldent be my first choice tbh.

gaeilgeboy · 20-06-2010 3:44pm

Legend45 wrote: »

now i cant speak for the peoples in dingle but in galway thats the case,

I dunno, I'm currently working in Indreabhán and last night in Galway city, we were all still speaking in both Irish and English. Certainly, everyone I know from here has no problem replying in Irish.

An gal gréine · 20-06-2010 9:20pm

I think part of the problem for Gaeltacht people is that they get frustrated sometimes with visitors, usually from other provinces, who cant understand their dialect and they find themselves constantly having to explain what they've just said. They find it easier then to explain in English and what follows is that the visitor can loose heart, unfortunately. Persistence, though, is needed!

20-06-2010 10:20pm

what use is Irish?

I've had 2 job interviews in the last few years, where Irish was needed, I work in finance. Spent 4 years working with a French multi national, French was never required, as all communications with head office or other subsidaries was in English.

Jay Pentatonic · 20-06-2010 10:26pm

deise go deo wrote: »

Well for me I think Gaeilge is very Important.
I dont know why it is so important to me except a feeling that it is my laungauge and that when I am talking to someone As gaeilge it just feels natural.

Táim sa ciorcal comhrá i gcathair Port Láirge.
We get together every week and talk i n-gaeilge le ceile.
As for Irish in the Gaeltacht,We went down to An Rinn Cupla seachtain ó shin.
We went for a short walk and then went back to the pub. It was really nice to wander around and talk to people as gaeilge without any feeling that it was in any way unusual to do so. In general I find that if you talk Irish to someone in the gaeltacht they have no problem talking back in Irish.
As they tend to be small rural places I guess the people who live there feel that if they havent seen you before then your probably not from the area and wont know any Irish making it pointless to start talking to you As gaeilge.

Going to the gaeltacht is a good idea if you want to learn Irish,Just look at Des Bishop. though Dingle wouldent be my first choice tbh.

how come, out of curiosity?

DeBrugha · 21-06-2010 10:24am

The best places for Irish (ie, hearing Irish everywhere by all ages) would be around south Conamara from Spidéal onward in Galway and the Aran islands, and northwest Donegal around Gweedore, and around Dún Chaoin in Kerry in these places Irish is the main language and you will have no problem speaking Irish.

I wouldn't reccomend Dingle, it isn't Irish speaking. One of the places mentioned above is what I would reccomend. In every Gaeltacht area you always get areas that isn't Irish speaking, Mayo is hardly Irish speaking apart from the village of Carrowteige, that is the only area in Mayo where more than half speak Irish still.

Galway or Donegal would be the best bet.

Fuinseog · 21-06-2010 9:12pm

DeBrugha wrote: »

The best places for Irish (ie, hearing Irish everywhere by all ages) would be around south Conamara from Spidéal onward in Galway and the Aran islands, and northwest Donegal around Gweedore, and around Dún Chaoin in Kerry in these places Irish is the main language and you will have no problem speaking Irish.

I wouldn't reccomend Dingle, it isn't Irish speaking. One of the places mentioned above is what I would reccomend. In every Gaeltacht area you always get areas that isn't Irish speaking, Mayo is hardly Irish speaking apart from the village of Carrowteige, that is the only area in Mayo where more than half speak Irish still.

Galway or Donegal would be the best bet.

I wonder does tourism play a role? it was not cool to be gaelic in Galway in the eighties and there was a lot of ignorance towards the language. then the tourists expressed an interest in the langauge, at least afew phrases, and wanted to see signs, as Gaeilege. now Galway has bilingual signs everywhere but I am not sure what value this is.

i mean relatively few people speak it in the city yet Galway city markerts itself as a bilingual city.

I am not sure if 'Gaeilge agus Failte' signs have any significance.

Fuinseog · 21-06-2010 9:17pm

Deleted User wrote: »

what use is Irish?

I've had 2 job interviews in the last few years, where Irish was needed, I work in finance. Spent 4 years working with a French multi national, French was never required, as all communications with head office or other subsidaries was in English.

there are some people who want to speak Irish as much as possible and as taxpayers they have a right to this service. Eamonn Cuiv O has done a lot for Irish in this regard while other colleagues in government do their darndest to unravel his work.

for a while it was easier to do business in polish than Gaelic. i sometimes prefer the seirbhis tri Ghaeilge beacuse you do not have to wait as long.

deise go deo · 22-06-2010 12:03am

Jay1989 wrote: »

how come, out of curiosity?

Well what I hear about the place as a gaeltacht tends to be bad, Whenever people talk about it, it tends to be along the lines of ''Gaeltacht in name only'' and that sort of thing.

Though in fairness my opinion is'nt based on first hand experience as the only time I was there was when I was 7 and went to see Fungi the dolphin.I suppose it really depends on whet dialect your intrested in. Personally if I was learning Munster Irish I would go to the Muscerry Gaeltacht or Gaeltacht na Rinne but thats just me.

dlofnep · 22-06-2010 12:13am

Jay1989 wrote: »

how come, out of curiosity?

Is gaeltacht lag é! It's a weak gaeltacht. While there are many gaeltachtaí in Ireland, some are stronger than others. Dingle isn't one of them.

As for the OP - The relevance of Irish in society today is saddening. It's as relevant as you want it to be, but even at that - it's hard to find people to speak Irish with.

We need to start producing more fluent speakers from schools, otherwise it's relevance will remain dimmed in society. A complete overhaul of the curriculum is needed to do this. We need to encourage the use of Irish - I find that many people, even with half-decent Irish are afraid to use it incase they make mistakes. We need to encourage these people to play an active role in reviving the language.

Some people wish to turn their back on the language. I'm not one of them, and have worked hard over the past few years to promote it. But there's only so much we can do. The change has to start at day 1 in schools, where the use of the language should be encouraged and the focus on conversational Irish should be increased.

An gal gréine · 22-06-2010 4:27pm

dlofnep wrote: »

Is gaeltacht lag é! It's a weak gaeltacht. While there are many gaeltachtaí in Ireland, some are stronger than others. Dingle isn't one of them.

As for the OP - The relevance of Irish in society today is saddening. It's as relevant as you want it to be, but even at that - it's hard to find people to speak Irish with.

We need to start producing more fluent speakers from schools, otherwise it's relevance will remain dimmed in society. A complete overhaul of the curriculum is needed to do this. We need to encourage the use of Irish - I find that many people, even with half-decent Irish are afraid to use it incase they make mistakes. We need to encourage these people to play an active role in reviving the language.

Some people wish to turn their back on the language. I'm not one of them, and have worked hard over the past few years to promote it. But there's only so much we can do. The change has to start at day 1 in schools, where the use of the language should be encouraged and the focus on conversational Irish should be increased.

+ 1

ShamoBuc · 22-06-2010 11:17pm

Having spoken to many people from the different gaeltachts there is one standout in my mind. Gweedore - OMG. To listen to a duine dúchasach ag caint as gaeilge -is rud sár iontach é. The soft blending of words in a serious and stark contrast to the rest. It really is something to behold, I could listen to them all day long. I really do not like the Harshness of some sounds made by people on TV in particular. That redhead from Galway that was on the afternoon show and the talent show - her name escapes me - did my head in with her pronounciations.

craoltoir · 23-06-2010 8:49am

Más Bláthnaid atá i gceist agat, is as Ráth Chairn i gcontae na Mí di.

ShamoBuc · 23-06-2010 5:48pm

Bláthnaid - sin í an bean - go raibh míle. Harsh as **** deachair a bheith ag éisteacht léi chun na fírinne a rá.

Fuinseog · 23-06-2010 7:45pm

ShamoBuc wrote: »

Bláthnaid - sin í an bean - go raibh míle. Harsh as **** deachair a bheith ag éisteacht léi chun na fírinne a rá.

nil aon stil no class aici ach an oiread. cuir sioda ar ghabhar...

Tenente · 23-06-2010 7:49pm

Would somebody please let me know what towns and villages would be considered strong Gaeltacht regions in Connemara thanks?

I'm not sure if Roundstane is in the Gaeltacht or not but i was down there recently and did not hear any Irish. It was a really Sunny Saturday so maybe there was a big in-flux of english speakers that day.

Also if anybody knows of any places where Irish is spoken in the Galway City or Dublin city, restaurants, cafes etc. please post them. Is Club Sonas still going? there is nothing new on the website since before christmas.

I've been trying to learn Irish again for a year now and through a mixture of sourcing out places where Irish is spoken (Gweedore, Co. Donegal. An Cultarlann, An Droichead and Madden's Bar, Belfast, Aras Chronain Clondalkin) and some random meetings ( e.g. I meet a couple of Irish speaking Girls from Donegal in the Turk's Head, Temble Bar one night, great craic! another time i was getting a bus from the quays in Dublin and the driver was reading a Buntús Cainte Book!) i have been very encouraged by the amount of people out there speaking Irish.

There are 5 of us in my local town, a small non-descript town in the north east trying to learn irish again at various standards. We're thinking of organising a irish night in the pub to see if anybody else comes out of the woodwork.

Part of the problem seems to be recognising other people who are willing to speak Irish. I wonder will the Fáinne make a come back?! Also I know my irish is not great but I am trying and I take heart from the chance meetings etc and agree with an gal gréine Persistance is needed.

As you can probably tell from my 10 or so posts I am not really a committed Boardsie but i see that other groups organise Beer nights. Is there any desire among the Teach na nGealt people to organise a night as Gaeilge?

craoltoir · 24-06-2010 10:51am

The gaeltacht area of Galway is along the coast from Spiddal to the west. It get's stronger the further west you go. Ceathrú Rua, Ros Muc and Tír an Fhia would be strong gaeltacht areas. Yes there are people all over the country who speak Irish but there is a lack of organised meetings/events/venues where you can expect to meet Irish speakers. Most Irish speakers do not specifically go to Irish language events but socialise with the general population and you won't know if somebody speaks Irish unless you already know that person.

Teifeach · 24-06-2010 5:06pm

i dont get the train of thought that i went here or there and never heard Irish , or i used it in a Gaeltacht and was replied to with English ,, but recieved what i requested i.e Beer , Tea etc. My trips to the Gaeltachtaí are way more interesting than coming back with storys of many Irish speakers i happened upon. But back to the question ... Irish is vitaly important to me since i started learning almost 10 yrs ago. I use it almost Every day with friends etc ..its part of who i am , my life , my work , my culture , my friends , my social life and it Always will be irresspective of Anyone elses opinions or experiences. I loove her with all my heart and will use it till i Die.

Jay Pentatonic · 25-06-2010 1:21pm

Teifeach wrote: »

i dont get the train of thought that i went here or there and never heard Irish , or i used it in a Gaeltacht and was replied to with English ,, but recieved what i requested i.e Beer , Tea etc. My trips to the Gaeltachtaí are way more interesting than coming back with storys of many Irish speakers i happened upon. But back to the question ... Irish is vitaly important to me since i started learning almost 10 yrs ago. I use it almost Every day with friends etc ..its part of who i am , my life , my work , my culture , my friends , my social life and it Always will be irresspective of Anyone elses opinions or experiences. I loove her with all my heart and will use it till i Die.

Well said mate, well said

Teifeach · 25-06-2010 8:30pm

Grma Jay1989 , níl sin ach an fhírinne

lalee17 · 25-06-2010 8:36pm

Although I don't feel that Irish is a very practical language, I want to re-learn it. I've done pass Irish in school for my whole life, but I really want to start over again. The GF is amazing at it, so she's going to teach me

I'm starting all over again next week.

nikkibikki · 25-06-2010 9:05pm

It's plenty usefull OP, part of our identity. I wasn't a fan of it in school but ended up doing a degree in it! There wasn't a whole pile of emphasis on teaching the spoken language even at uni level, and the people who were lucky enough to be líofa in it by the time they got there were in a much better position then the likes of me with my B2 in Honours Irish in the Leaving! I am teaching my son a few words of it as he is growing up (he is 2 now) and if you asked him to put his hands up in the air he wouldn't really know what to do, but if you say "Lámha suas" his arms shoot up! Same with buailadh bos and suigh síos. I intend on sending him to the local Gaelscoil when the time comes.

I'd reccommend going to Inis Meáin, the middle of the Aran Islands. The least visited one too. They will speak Irish to you in the shop and most of the restaurants, but could be difficult in the pub, depends on who is working!! There's a bit of a mixture of nationalities on the pub pay roll!! My bro moved there to go to school before his JC and is now as fluent as his friends that grew up there. I go there at least once a year for a holiday myself and get to speak the cúpla focail I have left!!

Teifeach · 25-06-2010 9:07pm

lalee17 wrote: »

Although I don't feel that Irish is a very practical language, I want to re-learn it. I've done pass Irish in school for my whole life, but I really want to start over again. The GF is amazing at it, so she's going to teach me I'm starting all over again next week.

Maith thú , and yeah its ok to feel its not practical , but it may Just surprise you , it sure as Hell surprised me , i am now earning money , not a fortune , but money none the less and teaching classes , somethg i would have called you mad if you had suggested it too me a few years ago that i would be in frt of 30 kids speaking Irish lol , i hated secondary school , and i wasnt best fond of Teachers Neither

lalee17 · 25-06-2010 9:11pm

Teifeach wrote: »

Maith thú , and yeah its ok to feel its not practical , but it may Just surprise you , it sure as Hell surprised me , i am now earning money , not a fortune , but money none the less and teaching classes , somethg i would have called you mad if you had suggested it too me a few years ago that i would be in frt of 30 kids speaking Irish lol , i hated secondary school , and i wasnt best fond of Teachers Neither

Yeah I just finished my Leaving Cert, I hated it in school but IMO the schools don't teach it effectively, they don't make it interesting enough. I used to say things like 'It's a waste of time' etc etc but I was secretly jealous. I wish I could read An Trial or osmething like that

Nolanger · 25-06-2010 9:16pm

It will get you extra marks in the Civil Service exams.

deise go deo · 25-06-2010 9:32pm

You get extra marks in the leavin aswell,and there are a good few jobs in it aswell

Gaeilge-go-deo · 25-06-2010 10:47pm

im still in school, just finished the junior cert, and i love irish.. i always liked it and i learned it myself.. everyone in my school knows that im really good at it people cant understand why i like it so much but tbh i dont either! in my opinion i believe its down to the national schools to build interest in the language from an early age.. they should like have complete immersion in the language a few hours a week .. and no writing just speaking!

CosmicCrusader · 25-06-2010 10:59pm

I love Irish!

It's actually my favourite language despite the fact that it can be put to very much use. I love just being able to switch between English and Irish as I please! It's a great feeling knowing that you have something very special like the language that very few other countries have! A language that was taken away from us, but still kept alive all these years. I know it's an extremely difficult language to learn, especilly with the grammar! But it's ours, and who gives a f*** if you can't speak it 100%. Is fearr Gaeilge bhriste ná Gaeilge chliste! I just wish more people could see the fun side of the language and the craic that can be had from speaking it.
I really hope that the new LC Irish course can spark some sort of interest in the language. It really is a shame that more people in the country aren't willing to use the language, they'd watch it die and wouldn't give a s***!

Teifeach · 26-06-2010 6:18pm

lalee17 wrote: »

Yeah I just finished my Leaving Cert, I hated it in school but IMO the schools don't teach it effectively, they don't make it interesting enough. I used to say things like 'It's a waste of time' etc etc but I was secretly jealous. I wish I could read An Trial or osmething like that

I totally agree with you , but still No need to dispair and turn your back on it ,, its a long Road , and school is just a small part of it .. Life starts when you leave ... Boy aint i the wise one lol

Teifeach · 26-06-2010 6:20pm

Gaeilge-go-deo wrote: »

im still in school, just finished the junior cert, and i love irish.. i always liked it and i learned it myself.. everyone in my school knows that im really good at it people cant understand why i like it so much but tbh i dont either! in my opinion i believe its down to the national schools to build interest in the language from an early age.. they should like have complete immersion in the language a few hours a week .. and no writing just speaking!

Maith thú , im sure ii will be reading Bout Irish Conquests in the Future in Telly or Some form of the Language ,, Dont forget us when you are Rich and Famous lol
Ádh mór ort

Teifeach · 26-06-2010 6:22pm

CosmicCrusader wrote: »

I love Irish! It's actually my favourite language despite the fact that it can be put to very much use. I love just being able to switch between English and Irish as I please! It's a great feeling knowing that you have something very special like the language that very few other countries have! A language that was taken away from us, but still kept alive all these years. I know it's an extremely difficult language to learn, especilly with the grammar! But it's ours, and who gives a f*** if you can't speak it 100%. Is fearr Gaeilge bhriste ná Gaeilge chliste! I just wish more people could see the fun side of the language and the craic that can be had from speaking it.
I really hope that the new LC Irish course can spark some sort of interest in the language. It really is a shame that more people in the country aren't willing to use the language, they'd watch it die and wouldn't give a s***!

You have read my mind , thats a Greeaatt outlook to have , maith thú agus ádh mór ort a chara

tallaghtoutlaws · 30-06-2010 4:29pm

Hey guys new to these parts but I have to say I have fallen in love with the language again after falling out with it in school 15 years ago. I have started to learn it for myself recently and when I feel comfortable at being able to converse in it I will go hang out with those friends of mine who can speak it fluently. One of them said they will help me a long also with my comprehension of it.

I will say it is funny when back in school I saw the language as unnecessary and evil

Like many I did not see the point of a language that nobody uses. Over the last few years I have spent a lot of time in the US and have met so many Irish folk who try to carry on their heritage in the US and have been to place where Irish American kids can speak the language better than me who has grown up in Ireland. It made me realise that I should be more proud of where I am from and everything about our heritage especially our national tongue. I am enjoying using my spare time learning it all over again.

Teifeach · 30-06-2010 4:45pm

tallaghtoutlaws wrote: »

Hey guys new to these parts but I have to say I have fallen in love with the language again after falling out with it in school 15 years ago. I have started to learn it for myself recently and when I feel comfortable at being able to converse in it I will go hang out with those friends of mine who can speak it fluently. One of them said they will help me a long also with my comprehension of it.

I will say it is funny when back in school I saw the language as unnecessary and evil Like many I did not see the point of a language that nobody uses. Over the last few years I have spent a lot of time in the US and have met so many Irish folk who try to carry on their heritage in the US and have been to place where Irish American kids can speak the language better than me who has grown up in Ireland. It made me realise that I should be more proud of where I am from and everything about our heritage especially our national tongue. I am enjoying using my spare time learning it all over again.

Maith thú
thats a Wonderful story , and the best of Irish Luck to you

cupan_tae · 30-06-2010 11:47pm

As above i was forced to move to London to find work 3 years ago due to the Big R ! In school I took the easy route and did pass in JC and LC ! could definitely have done honours but I’m too laid back....Anyway after these few years away I have found my language again and am learning new words to add to my vocab everyday. (Cuisneoir inniu

My personal rréabhlóid TG4 is amazing ! R na G, R na L and Radio Failte are also an immense help. I’m lucky my better half has a degree in irish so we speak it 40% of the time in the home. I write my shopping lists as Gaeilge (Good tip - doesnt take long to pick up the regular basket items

)

Gaeilge boo boys - Irish was here long before you and will be long after you. What would you prefer everyone spoke American English ? a lovely thought! Lets all lose our accents while we are at it ! 1984 . This language is ours and it will not be taken away. Continue to sit and watch and complain – but we’ll still be here promoting our language speaking every sentence from the soul !

OP it seems you have taken the time to learn your language ! It must be frustrating to go to these places and not find what you are looking for, Maybe try closer to home ? Using words here and there , slowly getting peoples minds thinking – I constantly use a mix of English\Irish when mixing socially with friends, people generally get the jist or get embarrassed ! But I have reminded them and got them thinking, if they will actually take the step of learning is another storey ! Post back and let us know....even if you have decided to leave it.....

Anyway my two cents ! Gaeilge Abú !

- tir gan teanga tir gan anam !

Teifeach · 01-07-2010 2:52pm

cupan_tae wrote: »

As above i was forced to move to London to find work 3 years ago due to the Big R ! In school I took the easy route and did pass in JC and LC ! could definitely have done honours but I’m too laid back....Anyway after these few years away I have found my language again and am learning new words to add to my vocab everyday. (Cuisneoir inniu

My personal rréabhlóid TG4 is amazing ! R na G, R na L and Radio Failte are also an immense help. I’m lucky my better half has a degree in irish so we speak it 40% of the time in the home. I write my shopping lists as Gaeilge (Good tip - doesnt take long to pick up the regular basket items )

Gaeilge boo boys - Irish was here long before you and will be long after you. What would you prefer everyone spoke American English ? a lovely thought! Lets all lose our accents while we are at it ! 1984 . This language is ours and it will not be taken away. Continue to sit and watch and complain – but we’ll still be here promoting our language speaking every sentence from the soul !

OP it seems you have taken the time to learn your language ! It must be frustrating to go to these places and not find what you are looking for, Maybe try closer to home ? Using words here and there , slowly getting peoples minds thinking – I constantly use a mix of English\Irish when mixing socially with friends, people generally get the jist or get embarrassed ! But I have reminded them and got them thinking, if they will actually take the step of learning is another storey ! Post back and let us know....even if you have decided to leave it.....

Anyway my two cents ! Gaeilge Abú !

- tir gan teanga tir gan anam !

Arís , another Positive post ,, iontach maith .. má tá Gaeilge agat .... use it ..... chomh minic mar is féidir leat , Gaeilge abú

CosmicCrusader · 01-07-2010 3:36pm

cupan_tae wrote: »

As above i was forced to move to London to find work 3 years ago due to the Big R ! In school I took the easy route and did pass in JC and LC ! could definitely have done honours but I’m too laid back....Anyway after these few years away I have found my language again and am learning new words to add to my vocab everyday. (Cuisneoir inniu

My personal rréabhlóid TG4 is amazing ! R na G, R na L and Radio Failte are also an immense help. I’m lucky my better half has a degree in irish so we speak it 40% of the time in the home. I write my shopping lists as Gaeilge (Good tip - doesnt take long to pick up the regular basket items )

Gaeilge boo boys - Irish was here long before you and will be long after you. What would you prefer everyone spoke American English ? a lovely thought! Lets all lose our accents while we are at it ! 1984 . This language is ours and it will not be taken away. Continue to sit and watch and complain – but we’ll still be here promoting our language speaking every sentence from the soul !

OP it seems you have taken the time to learn your language ! It must be frustrating to go to these places and not find what you are looking for, Maybe try closer to home ? Using words here and there , slowly getting peoples minds thinking – I constantly use a mix of English\Irish when mixing socially with friends, people generally get the jist or get embarrassed ! But I have reminded them and got them thinking, if they will actually take the step of learning is another storey ! Post back and let us know....even if you have decided to leave it.....

Anyway my two cents ! Gaeilge Abú !

- tir gan teanga tir gan anam !

Aontaím go huile is go hiomlán leat!

You pretty much summed up my sentiments there. I try my best to listen RnaG and TG4, but I find it difficult sometimes, not that I don't understnad the Irish, it's just the shows aren't great. Like I'd probably waqtch Rós na Rún if anything interesting every happened! There's a series however that I do like called 'Seacht', I'm sure some here would recognise it. It's fairly interesting because it's a proper interesting soap like show, only as Gaeilge

I try watch Aifric soemtimes, despite being a bit childish, it's actually very good for aiding your Irish. I also love Pop4, its great to have a chart show in Irish, and the presentor ain't bad on the eyes either.

For anyone living in the south east there's also an Irish Music Chart on Beat 102-103, not sure what days though, but some night after 10.

With regards to what you were saying about speaking the language in everyday life, I agree with you completely! My family, friends and pretty much most people I know despise the language (I really don't know why? Maybe it's because Irish people these days associate it with exams. Although, I'm doing my LC and I still love the language). Despite their hatred of the language I still speak Irish EVERYDAY to them. Maybe not fully, although I have been known to start ranting randomnly in Irish. But I mix my Irish and English with them, and if they don't understand something I'll translate.

I used to hate the language only 2 years ago. I felt like it was a useless language, that it would onlt bring me pain for the rest of my school years. But then I met a friend who pretty much for months nagged me with the language until I started to speak it with him, and you know what? IT WORKED! I always felt that Irish would always get the better of me, that the grammar and vocab were all to complex. Now I'm the best at the language in my higher level LC class. I love the language and can't get enough of it! I'm going to the Gaeltacht for the first time ever this summer and I'm so excited that I will finally get put all my Irish to use and just embrace this glorious language of ours fully!

So basically my message is, to any of you reading this who hate Irish and feel that it'll never come to any use. Just give it a chance. I did and now I have something that I can proudly call my own and carry it with me for the rest of my life. I'm by no means fluent, but I can definitely hold a conversation in Irish and talk about pretty much anything I want. It's not your level of Irish that counts, it's your effort.

'Is fearr Gaeilge bhriste ná Gaeilge chliste.' Broken Irish is better then clever Irish.

Anyway, sin mo smaionte!

Leabhair an cibé Gaeilge atá agat!

Teifeach · 01-07-2010 4:46pm

Maith thú cosmiccrusader sin scéal maith eile
although i wouldnt recommend using Irish to people who dont know it and/or have no interest , thats somethg i wouldnt do ... if its family and friends and they voiced their opinion of dislike/hatred of Irish , that would be it for me .. i would leave the subject alone .. why frustrate yourself and them any further ... you have turned the corner yourself with the help of a friend ... let them find their own way .. to some people there is no worse way to further heighten their dislike for somethg than by Shoving it in their faces .. if i have the wrong of the stick on this issue .. I Appologise ... but anyways . arís maith thú

CosmicCrusader · 01-07-2010 4:54pm

Teifeach wrote: »

Maith thú cosmiccrusader sin scéal maith eile
although i wouldnt recommend using Irish to people who dont know it and/or have no interest , thats somethg i wouldnt do ... if its family and friends and they voiced their opinion of dislike/hatred of Irish , that would be it for me .. i would leave the subject alone .. why frustrate yourself and them any further ... you have turned the corner yourself with the help of a friend ... let them find their own way .. to some people there is no worse way to further heighten their dislike for somethg than by Shoving it in their faces .. if i have the wrong of the stick on this issue .. I Appologise ... but anyways . arís maith thú

I understand exactly what you mean, but it wouldn't be as annoying as maybe I made it sound. I don't speak Irish around them to annoy or help them. I do it for me, coz I enjoy it. They just accpet it for who I am. ''Ste - The Hibernophile''. I only speak very small amounts of Irish with those who don't understand it. Like ''Gabh mo leithscéál'' and ''Go raibh maith agat''. . . small things that everyone understand.

It's only my close friends who I try to wind up with it. . . and my father! :P
I do it more so to promote the language as opposed to ''conver the masses.''

what use is Irish?

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