A chairde

I'm going to Ireland in 7 weeks and I'm scared. The reason I'm scared is as follows. I've always been one to enjoy accents, I'm also impressionable in that I tend to talk like the people I'm around. Since I speak with an Irish accent a fair amount of the time anyway its going to be well-nye impossible to hold an American accent when everyone around me has an Irish one. I don't really know what to do. I have a hard enough time going without an accent for any length of time in normal life here in America, let alone when everyone around me has one.

What should I do ...

I don't want everyone in Ireland to:
a) think I'm making fun
b) think I've not quite got my right wits about me
c) think that I'm the most annoying and obnoxious American they've ever seen
d) all of the above
I'm sorry I troubled the all of you with my foolish concerns but I'm getting varying responses from the people I know. Most tell me to not worry a bout it, after all, I'll never see the people there again. But my best friend, here in my city, says that if some foreign person were trying to do her accent she'd be offended.

I'm sorry to bother you all with such things but to me this is important. GRMA


Beir bua agus beannacht

a) don't worry, they won't
b) yes, they're sure to think that, but don't worry about it
c) no, not *the most* - the competition is pretty stiff!!

Did you say you had Irish ancestors or not? I think you said you were not sure once. But I think the whole "Irish American" thing does grate on Irish ears - oh, and don't call it the Emerald Isle!

Hi Riona,
I'm jealous. I'd love to be heading off too and you know what, maybe I will!

We all love you as you are here. Don't think you have to talk different like saying 'begorra' because, generally speaking, Irish people don't.

But if you're having fun with the accents, the fun will show through. Smiling is contagious. It's only those who imitate to mock that bother people. That's not you.

Don't change a thing about you, Riona. You've no need to be nervous. From what we know of you here, people will love you. Relax and enjoy everything you do. Ireland will be a little brighter when you're there.

Kick up your heels and have a great time and enjoy this trip of a lifetime,
Have a great time for all of us,
C

A Riona --

You might mention to anyone who asks that you're also learning Gaeilge . . . the sounds can rub off somewhat on your English.

You might also use the trip to polish your Hiberno-English, since you fancy it. I think you'll be surprised at how seldom you'll hear "Sure and . . .".



If you suspect the Irish sounds/expressions you've been using are at all "over the top", just tone it down a bit. You don't have to fake a Yank accent, just don't go overboard trying to sound Irish.

If you're genuinely "impressionable" about language, you'll probably pick up some good Irish (both vocab and sounds) when you're in the Gaeltacht, so that's something to look forward to!

Riona A chara
don't be afraid to use your voice even if it shakes
(yea bad quote but..) Have fun!! learn as much as possible
and have a good time! Your sweetness will shine through
no mater what! oh and have a great time!! during your
time abroad your thoughtful postings and musings will be missed on these boards

quote:

yea bad quote

Hey wait a minute - Whadaya mean "bad quote"?
Please refer to my profile

Dear Riona,

I have a little story about your dilema. My friend and I went to Italy the summer we graduated High School. We had our "Let's Go" book and tried to avoid anything too touristy. We were very cool! One day we were at a little hole-in-the-wall eating and there was this big, loud, blonde american family in the restaurant. They starting talking to us with their awful Texas accents, totally breaking our cool demeanor. Then they told us about this amazing (I won't go into detail) place to visit which almost nobody knows about. It ended up being the best thing that we saw in Rome. Now I realize that their is nothing cool about judging someone for the way the talk, or look!

As for seeming like a dumb American, it is our karma and we just have to deal with it. It's a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" situation. Sound too "American" and you sound like an idiot, sound like you're trying not to be American and you sound like a poser. Basically have fun, and give in to the experience.

Go raibh maith agaibh a chairde,

I've never said "begora" or "Emerald Isle" in my life. I'll try to limit the "sure and"s until I know people better, its just how I talk, even though I know noone else does it. I'm glad that you all are not upset with me for this.

A Shashana, I'm not ashamed to be American, I just don't want to be considered an obnoxious one.

In response to the earlier post, I havn't any Irish in me to speak of so I'll not be tossing around the Irish-American subject because it wouldn't apply to me. Most people in "real life" have told me not to worry, there's just the one who tells me to watch my back. I appreciate the kindness of the all of you, it means a lot to me that I can confide something to you like this. Lets hope you're all correct.

Beir bua agus beannacht

Riona, I think it is only natural to have your accent adapt. I'm guessing that most people won't even notice unless you over do it. Besides, I think that your accent would just sound less strong anyways. Sure and if anyone gives you any guff, send them to this site and we'll give them an earful. At the very least, a strong thunder speech from Norwegiandame would be in order.

Let those soliloquies flow.

Hmm, I'd really think that if you don't worry/think about it, no one else will. Don't try to have use an Irish accent and don't try not to. Whenever I've travelled, the thing that overcomes everytime everyone seeing you as the most annoying obnoxious American tourist (there are so many of them!) is to speak to them in their language. Unfortunately that can't work in most of Ireland, and maybe not even in the Gaeltacht.

And lots of people's accents adapt to the country, even if they're not really young. Just don't be loud. I run into so many loud American tourists. *shudder* Just, try to defy the stereotype. I swear we're not all like that.

Riona, I know the UK is an *extremely* expensive place to visit, and my guess is that you cannot do Ireland on a shoe-string either. Things in Europe tend to be much more expensive than in the States - get ready to spend a lot of money.

A chairde,

As we are at it - I am going to Éire in one week's time for 2 weeks. How much money would I need if I was planning to stay at BB?

Thanks a lot in advance.

W F M
ta sorry orm!
i did not know.

A lán! Ar a laghad 60 € san oíche ar L & B do bheirt in aon seomra, cheapfainn.

Agus roinnt mhaith airgid ar beatha agus ól anuas ar sin.

Abair 20 € ar dinnéir sách saor, 4 - 5 € ar pionta leanna i mBÁC, níos lú faoin dtír, ....

Is fiú féachaint ar bhrúanna, bíonn siad níos saoire
http://www.hostels-ireland.com/
http://www.anoige.ie/

agus is féidir leat airgead a shabháil tré do bhia féin a réiteach.

Gheobhaidh tú eolas an L & Banna anseo

http://www.ireland.ie/Accommodation.aspx

Have fun on your trip! My goal is to cross the pond w/in the next 3 years...saving up the cash. Do not worry about your accent...be yourself...people can always tell when you're being fake because it doesn't bring out the best...and remember that all countries have obnoxious citizens--not just America--I'm sure that you'll meet a few:) Have fun and kiss the ground for me!!

B'fhéidir go bhfeicfidh tú cangarú ann. Scéal inniu:http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060719/od_uk_nm/oukoe_uk_ireland_kangaroo

Aonghus, 4-5 euros a pint of beer? Why aren't you rioting in the streets at those prices?

Riona, you said you have a hard time going through life without an accent, I assume you mean a foreign accent. Why exactly do you feel the need to put on these accents? I see you live in Oregon, and you said you take on the accent of those around you which is only natural. But Oregon is in the US, and as far as I know most native English speakers living here speak with an American accent. I'm just curious as to why someone would do this. I had a bit of an Irish accent for about a month, but that was right after spending 3 months in Co. Galway. Then it faded because I was surrounded by Americans.

Some people's accents change with the people the speak to; mine does too. This can come accross as mockery if people don't know you too well.

---

David, if I were minded to riot it would be more likely to be at the price of houses, or rather mortgages. But I'm just not the rioting type...

If you could pull it off, fair play to ye. But an American trying to do an Irish accent usually leaves me hurling chunks all over the floor! (top of the mornin, etc) Barf.

You should make some Irish friends first and tell them that you want to speak like them. Someone you don't know too well might think you're taking the piss.

All that aside, the best times I've had with my foreign friends (mostly Spanish) is teaching them some phrases in a heavy Dublin accent.

Here's a fella who didn't have a word of English.. thought he did pretty well!

http://www.bebo.com/FlashBox.jsp?FlashViewType=Personal&FlashBoxId=1409844051

If he can do it, you definitely can!

http://anon.doubleclick.edgesuite.net/anon.doubleclick/cms/EMEA/Aerlingus/OB_Ema il/July06/321034/Email2.html?sssdmh=edc2.88659
Low fares time

Harrison, Thats just the way it is. It happens with accents in general but that isn't the point here. I talk with an Irish accent a lot of the time anyway, ask anyone I know (you technically can't but that's beside the point). You can try to analyze it or disect it with whatever "putting on" theories you desire, I can't stop you.

A Aonghuis, this is exactly the problem, I'm not mocking but people will think I am. Its difficult to find an American accent when other people have an Irish one. I know this because earlier in the year I was volunteering at a children's museum and there was an Irish woman who worked there. I found myself hesitant to visit with her because when I did it was hard to hold of an American accent. So I'm really not mocking. Other accents I can just ignore with a little effort but I can't do it well with Irish ones.

My note to Ceolmher when I have time

A Cheolmhar a chara,
GRMA for being honest, I suppose. How about if I just stear clear of you while in Dublin and then I'll not be hurled on, if that is the action your stomach should persue. :) Maybe I should find someone Irish 'round about whare I'm at and practice talking like an American while around them, :), maybe that would work.

Beir bua agus beannacht

I speak a more refined London-English and have done that since I was 15. I myself am afraid that people will be skeptical because of this. Especially any potential nationalists that I may encounter... "She's a Brit!!"

I would like to switch to a Dublin-accent, but I'm not too familiar with the way they speak yet. I suppose I will pick it up easily, but the real trial will be to do so while talking to Dublin locals!!

By the way, what is the Dundalk accent like?

Rinoa--what does "Beir bua agus beannacht" mean?
And also, I'm a tad bit confused about the whole accent discussion. Why are people trying to have accents? I mean, I understand trying to correctly pronunciate a foreign language, but I keep reading about people switching or trying to have a certain accent. An accent comes from one's original language when applied to another language. So why would anyone try so hard to sound like they came from somewhere they didn't? I do not mean any offense by this, I'm just curious.

Eavan - Best wishes. http://www.englishirishdictionary.com/dictionary is handy if you're stuck.

People copy other's accents because it's fun. Also, some people have a knack at learning a language in the exact accent of the region they're living in. I met a girl at a party was from Germany but spoke in a perfect Galway accent, that's where she learnt English. She had me fooled for an hour until I asked her what part of Ireland she was from. :-/

Riona - I taught Americans Irish accents and they do very well. I was refering to the stereotypical American tourist attempting to speak like 'the Irish'.. eg "top o' the mornin', to be sure, to be sure." - a phrase not used in Ireland, invented by Hollywood, and cringed at by Irish people. Much as Australians don't say "struef, ye reckon? fair dingkom.", and Brits don't say "Jolly hockey sticks of a day old chap".

Do you have a microphone on your PC? I'd like to hear your paddy accent! I love doing accents :-)

quote:

invented by Hollywood

I think we've already proven that the phrase "top of the morning" goes back to at least the 1800's (pre Hollyword) and also appears in a poem by John Locke.

I find it slightly amusing that a phrase that was or may have been originated by an Irish poet is viewed by some Irish folks as a Hollywoodism. :)

I'm fully aware of wanting to speak with different accents and having fun with it, I just don't think it should be something Riona should worry about. It's only natural that you'll speak like those around you, for that's how we acquired our accents in the first place. Anyone ever been to western Minnesota or eastern North Dakota (USA)? One week there and I came back with an accent (unintentionally) that had my friends highly amused until it went away:)

A Cheolmhar a chara,

I havn't a microphone or any other fanciful technical gadgets for my computer so I can't say anything for you. I just don't want people to dislike me you know or think that I'm poking fun, thats just the way I talk a lot here in America, let alone somewhare whare everyone does it. Hearing from the all of you has (for the most part) helped me not to be so scared. What I don't understand is why people are having such a hard time figuring out what I'm trying to say here, is it really that difficult to make sense of?
Beir bua agus beannacht