Irish language speakers

Subject: RE: Irish language speakers
From: GUEST,Philippa
Date: 10 Nov 04 - 04:20 AM

hey Fionntáin, if you ever get back here, please scroll up to my message of 9 Nov. for a reply to your query

I don't want to discourage you, Fliss, but when I was at Oireachtas na Gaeilge in Letterkenny I found it difficult to get a positive response when I spoke Irish to staff at the festival venues, the daily staff who were not there specifically for the festival. I believe the Fleadh will have a drop-in centre to encourage people who wish to speak Irish together.

Subject: RE: Irish language speakers
From: Fliss
Date: 10 Nov 04 - 11:44 AM

Thanks for that, Philippa. Im just chuffed to be able to play the music. I want to learn a bit of the language so I can sing the songs in gaelic. So far Ive stuck to singing in English.

fliss

Subject: RE: Irish language speakers
From: Com Seangan
Date: 10 Nov 04 - 05:53 PM

Greg: Apologies that I misunderstood your post.
Tiocfaidh ár lá.

Subject: RE: Irish language speakers
From: greg stephens
Date: 10 Nov 04 - 06:45 PM

And I apologise for teasing you! It is fatally easy to make yourself misunderstood typing things out on the internet....it will never replace having a chat over a pint!
Slainte

Subject: RE: Irish language speakers
From: GUEST,Criostóir
Date: 10 Nov 04 - 11:50 PM

Thanks for a great affirmation of the Irish language everyone, even SBO whose promptings probably kept the thread going long enough for me to see it (I haven't been a regular up to this).

Irish is certainly not dead even if it is, along with several minority languages of Europe, on the endangered list. Any debate on the Irish language (its utility,significance, etc) generates a lot of heat and some occasional bitterness among Irish people which on the face of it must be a cause for wonderment on the part of innocent bystanders. Anyone who is wondering why this is so should read That most interesting book, "The Great Silence", by Seán de Fréine. Its an overview of the fortunes of the language through the centuries, why it declined, how it yet managed to survive, etc, within a context of the cultural conflict it has had to cope with and still does. The book was published in the mid-1960s, but is still highly relevant and may be available in libraries or secondhand bookstores or on the internet.

Chom Seangán, caithfidh gurb as Chontae Phortláirge tú? Is trua é gur bhris ar na Déise i mbliana ach 'beidh lá eile ag an bPaorach!

Subject: RE: Irish language speakers
From: Jack Hickman
Date: 11 Nov 04 - 09:49 AM

Irish is far from being a dead language. All one has to do is visit the web site of Daltai na Gaeilge (Studies in Iish)www.daltai.com. This organization has been around for over 20 years and offers immersion weekends in various parts of the US for learners at all levels.

I live in a small city, Kingston, Ontario, where we have a thriving Irish language programme under the auspices of the local branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann. We hold an annual Irish Language Immerion weekend in the spring, which attracts upwards of a hundred people interested in perfecting or improving their Irish language skills. And these are people who live in North America, not Ireland.

There's a saying in Irish, "Tir gan teanga, Tir gan anam" which translated to English means "A country without a language is a country without a soul." Maybe one of the Irish speakers on this thread can correct any errors in that expression

Jack Hickman

Subject: RE: Irish language speakers
From: GUEST,Criostóir
Date: 11 Nov 04 - 08:37 PM

Well said, Jack a chara. As an Irishman living abroad I marvel at the enthusiasm for Irish among people of Irish and part-Irish ancestry around the world and I only wish that it were easier to obtain trained teachers for the many groups of learners clamouring for access to classes.

A friend of mine, a teacher of Irish dancing, said to me recently, 'why isn't there a system for accrediting Irish language teachers around the world similar to that for dancing teachers? I couldn't really answer her. Conradh na Gaeilge/The Gaelic League would seem to be the obvious body to organise such a system but it doesn't appear to be too concerned. Gael Linn is another body that might have the organisational wherewithal but failing that the Irish government itself should surely take some responsibility. Perhaps a system of scholarships for people with fluent Irish who are interested in doing a short course in teaching at a centre like Áras Uí Chaidhin, Gleann Cholmcille, Dún Chaomháin, Oileán Chléire or Coláiste na Rinne?

Subject: RE: Irish language speakers
From: GUEST,Fionntáin
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 11:02 AM

Hi Philippa,
             Many thanks, will check given references. Sorry for delay in replying.

The other day, our four-year old was able to improve our fóclóir rather the other way around. Must get moving with those lessions and practice.

Go raibh maith agat,

Fionntáin.

Subject: RE: Irish language speakers
From: Strupag
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 07:09 PM

I reckon that the Scots, Irish, Welsh, Manx, Cornish, Bretons and Galecians should all get together and declare war on the Basques!

Andy

Subject: RE: Irish language speakers
From: GUEST,Criostóir
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 10:12 PM

There's really no need for us to declare war on anyone, it has been waged against our cultures for centuries but...WE"RE STILL HERE! Anyway, thanks for your contribution there, Strupag/Andy, it will add immeasurably to the debate I'm sure and help to keep the thread 'live'.

Subject: RE: Irish language speakers
From: Den
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 11:49 PM

I was going to make a comment on this thread about our guest "states etc", but then I thought what would be the point. Nice thread everyone, I enjoyed reading it.

Subject: RE: Irish language speakers
From: dianavan
Date: 19 Nov 04 - 12:50 AM

I do not speak Gaelic but I have heard it spoken fluently in Kerry. If you are in The S.W. of Ireland, you will hear the language spoken (especially if its something they don't want you to understand). Hearing it makes you want to speak it. I think it is the most beautiful languages in the world. Why do you think there are so many good writers and singers from Ireland?

Even if English is the predominant language, the cultural norms of the Irish are still interwoven with their native language. Speak English, for sure, but don't let the native language die unless you wish to destroy a vital cultural ingredient.

d

Subject: RE: Irish language speakers
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Dec 04 - 05:49 AM

Subject: RE: Irish language speakers
From: Gaucho
Date: 07 Dec 04 - 03:50 PM

I like to think of it as the soul of the irish people and land laid bare, in away that English can only swing a blunt stick at never mind capture. May it live on and continue to nourish us forever!
G

Subject: RE: Irish language speakers
From: GUEST,JTT
Date: 07 Dec 04 - 07:03 PM

For those who want to learn Irish, there's a Pimsleur basic course, which should give you a good start. Go to amazon.com and search for pimsleur irish, and it'll pop up.

States is right in a way; after all, look at the way the Romans wiped out thousands of cultures as their empire spread, starting with their Etruscan neighbours. The language, dance, stories, customs, herbal knowledge, lullabies, songs, paintings and all other marks of their beautiful individual culture was gone forever; all we have to remember the Etruscans by, for instance, is the statues with those beautiful smiles.

States is taking the Confucian view: if your culture is going to be raped, like back and enjoy it.

Subject: RE: Irish language speakers
From: belfast
Date: 01 Feb 05 - 06:15 AM

I refresh this thread merely to note that I hear that in the film "Million Dollar Baby" Clint Eastwood plays a character who, among other things, is learning Gaeilge. He deserves an Oscar for that alone.

Subject: RE: Irish language speakers
From:
Date: 08 Mar 05 - 02:02 AM

I'm from Cyprus I'd like to speak irish but i don't. I support the rivival of the Irish Language.
Welsh has 600 000 speakers.
Scottish Gaelic 65 000