National Forum

The GAA and Gaelic language.

(Oldest Posts First) - Go To The Latest Post


Replying To gotmilk:  "I was always fine at speaking the language. On the rare occasions I have been around Gaeilgors I have been able to have a conversation, when writing the language I struggle badly with it.

What literature did you have to study? I'd imagine it was a bit different to what we done. We done La fheille Micheal and some book about drug abuse, can not remember the name of it at all. It was quite interesting read however."
Oh I cant remember off the top of my head gotmilk, it was not far off 30 years ago now!

We were never really encouraged to converse in irish in class, certainly at least until 6th year, so I suppose my teachers until o level were partly to blame.

Other classes were encouraged to converse so when it came to a'level they were quite fluent, of course I was like a fish out of water when I ended up in their class for A'Level. It was sad really as I enjoyed it and still probably would love to have a craic again at it if I could give myself a shake!
I would make a point of visiting threads as gaeilge to see if I can pick up the gist of the conversation.

Whats the expression ... 'is fear Gaeilge bhriste ná Béarla cliste'

bumpernut (Antrim) - Posts: 1852 - 18/10/2016 12:45:58    1927217

Link

Replying To Lockjaw:  "This is it. If you're not speaking the language regularly then it's difficult. One thing I would say however is that there this a very big difference between spoken Gaeltacht Irish and 'Book Irish'. My spoken Irish would be a lot better than anything I could write in Irish for example. My good wife is a Gaoth Dobhair woman so that helps an awful lot."
I've noticed that myself. Emotive sayings tend to be quite different in spoken irish and written Irish. For example no would ever say Is Gra Liom something. Ta mo croi istigh would tend to be used more.

I can read and speak it but I struggle to write it.

gotmilk (Fermanagh) - Posts: 4971 - 18/10/2016 12:49:53    1927219

Link

My da's oul Buntús cainte book was my first foray into the language and helped me quite a bit in my early years.

I see they've since reprinted it quite a few times including CDs now

bumpernut (Antrim) - Posts: 1852 - 18/10/2016 12:52:11    1927220

Link

Replying To gotmilk:  "Yeah when the language is taught as just a language you pick up some amount. When i was a pup I use to go to Machaire Rabhartaigh every summer and it was crazy how much you would pick up just being in the area."
I lasted one week in Loch an Iúir, 'na bí ag caint bearla' is ingrained in my head to this day!!

bumpernut (Antrim) - Posts: 1852 - 18/10/2016 12:55:30    1927222

Link

Replying To Lockjaw:  "This is it. If you're not speaking the language regularly then it's difficult. One thing I would say however is that there this a very big difference between spoken Gaeltacht Irish and 'Book Irish'. My spoken Irish would be a lot better than anything I could write in Irish for example. My good wife is a Gaoth Dobhair woman so that helps an awful lot."
Funny that's prob the main reason I didn't send my kids to bunscoil, I think you need to make the effort to speak it at home and I was never confident enough to converse, it is one of my regrets though that I didn't get my finger out. I love to hear kids speak it though

bumpernut (Antrim) - Posts: 1852 - 18/10/2016 12:58:49    1927223

Link

Replying To bumpernut:  "I lasted one week in Loch an Iúir, 'na bí ag caint bearla' is ingrained in my head to this day!!"
For me its Maidin Maith! Jesus it was the worst wake up call ever.

gotmilk (Fermanagh) - Posts: 4971 - 18/10/2016 13:18:48    1927233

Link

Interesting thread indeed. I used be openly hostile to Irish but not anymore. I can see theres genuine people pushing it. But i love speaking English and we as Irish people speak it better than most.
I suppose its natural that the Northern Irish Gaa people would have a real gra for Irish. Its like another step on the Nationalist pathway. Speaking as a munster man and big Hurling supporter as opposed to Gaa supporter Iv no intention of sending my kid to a gaelscoil or giving them Irish first names. I just dont see the need and I dont want my kid to have some wierd gaelic name to top it all off..No Fiachras or Polinis or Feargals..ridiculous carry on

bloodyban (Limerick) - Posts: 1710 - 18/10/2016 13:35:45    1927238

Link

Replying To bloodyban:  "Interesting thread indeed. I used be openly hostile to Irish but not anymore. I can see theres genuine people pushing it. But i love speaking English and we as Irish people speak it better than most.
I suppose its natural that the Northern Irish Gaa people would have a real gra for Irish. Its like another step on the Nationalist pathway. Speaking as a munster man and big Hurling supporter as opposed to Gaa supporter Iv no intention of sending my kid to a gaelscoil or giving them Irish first names. I just dont see the need and I dont want my kid to have some wierd gaelic name to top it all off..No Fiachras or Polinis or Feargals..ridiculous carry on"
What's ridiculous about giving a child an Irish name?

Seán, Eoin, Aoife, Niamh are all Irish names and can hardly be classed as 'weird' seeing as they'd be some of the most common names in the country.

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13718 - 18/10/2016 14:35:44    1927263

Link

Replying To MesAmis:  "What's ridiculous about giving a child an Irish name?

Seán, Eoin, Aoife, Niamh are all Irish names and can hardly be classed as 'weird' seeing as they'd be some of the most common names in the country."
A lot better than Roger. Trevor or Nigel

bumpernut (Antrim) - Posts: 1852 - 18/10/2016 15:13:48    1927281

Link

Replying To bumpernut:  "A lot better than Roger. Trevor or Nigel"
I think he might have been talking about how some parents name their kids based on some weird and spurious love for all things Celtic.
Gasúrs called Ronan for example - but whose parents insist they are called Ro-naaaaawwwwwwwnnnn!

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9155 - 18/10/2016 15:48:32    1927300

Link