Hello, it's my first posting. I'm only a notch above beginner regarding the language.

A few times each year, I encounter various people from Ireland who are in the United States for any of several reasons.

So my question, directed to those of you who live in America, is this: What experience have you had in trying to speak to Irish visitors, using the Irish language? Any advice? -- Liam

Don't push it too hard. A lot of Irish people aren't comfortable with their Irish, as they may not have used it much (or even at all) since leaving school. So if you're getting blank looks, don't automatically assume it's your terrible American accent... you may just be talking to someone whose Irish was never too strong.

But if you meet someone willing to speak Irish to you, speak, speak, speak! I'm always afraid that I'll make some dreadful mistake, embarrass myself and they'll refuse in disdain ever to speak Irish to me again... but really that's just my overactive worry box. I bet you've got one too. Acknowledge it for what it is, and open your mouth anyway. I've found that people who are serious about the language are nothing but glad to see it being learned and used, even if there are errors and even if you have to mix English words with it.

Abigail

I have had experiences ranging from good to terrible. In Newport, Rhode Island the summer work season is full of Irish students. Some have great Irish and are willing to indulge an old grey haired man. Others have practically no Irish and can't figure out what this old grey haired man is trying to say!

Just this weekend I was in Charleston, South Carolina at an Irish pub. Our waiter was from BAC and had just a bit of Irish. By the end of our meal, I was able to get him to toss his cupla focal around. It was fun but not functional....if that makes sense.

At my work, I met a bunch of Irish people. They knew some Irish, and we exchanged a few words. It was fun.

Antaine does it all the time. Maybe he'll come and elaborate.

ooo...I've been volunteered...

In the store where I work (in central New Jersey) I've found that most are able to only have a short exchange, but even those who aren't seem to be amazed yanks bother to learn it at all, and when I tell them about daltaí and immersion weekends they're picking their jaws up off the floor. I have more Irish than most of those I approach, which isn't saying a whole lot, sadly. Most seem to be of the "ceacht3-5 in buntús" level.

I've had only one man make snide remarks about never having use for it. One man with whom I had a short exchange, however, made a point of seeing me when he came back some weeks later and speaking a bit more in-depth. I'd say I run into about two people per month on average. I can tell an Irish voice from Scottish 95% of the time and never let one pass by without bringing it up.

As people learning Irish outside Ireland, most of us, luckily missed the frustrating loop of negativity that often surrounds it.

My advice is to respond gently to anyone who is either alarmed or amazed with our ability or interest in Irish. Just quietly expressing your interest in Irish is enough to make a connection without commenting or judging anyone for their ability or limited ability in Irish.

I love the fact that your man came back to talk to you despite his first reaction, Antaine.

There was an article on the front page of Lá yesterday about how there are 25,870 Irish speakers in the US, thus making it the 66th out of the 322 languages spoken there. I believe efforts to speak Irish abroad should be publicized for they may be slowly helping the people in Ireland who are negative towards Irish or doubtful of its value to see their other language in a more favorable light.

I think *many people really want to love Irish but often can't seem to get past their own personal history as well as their culture's confusing current and past history with it.

Has anyone seen the film 'The Wind That Shakes the Barley'? There's a moment in the beginnng of the film where a 17 year old boy demands to say his name in his native tongue. I came out of the cinema wanting to only ever speak Irish and at the same time fully able to understand those who never ever want to hear it spoken. How many generations would it take to get past that?


After 20 years of playfully and patiently poking my droch fuaimeanna at my mother and her siblings (who are all native speakers with beautifully perfect sounds) they now speak whole paragraphs to me when the mood hits them. They've gone from refusing to speak to me, to pleading with me to give it up, to telling me that my sounds are improving, to listening without interruption, now with only slight hinting creases in their forheads that when I get the sound a bit wrong or use a funny word. I've got my whole life to get it right and I'm enjoying the process.



*no offence intended to anyone, especially those who are completely out of the closet about loving Irish.

quote:

After 20 years of playfully and patiently poking my droch fuaimeanna at my mother and her siblings (who are all native speakers with beautifully perfect sounds) they now speak whole paragraphs to me when the mood hits them.

Tá mé in éad leat, a Chailín! Cár tógadh iad?

You are so fortunate a chailindoll, to have relatives who can speak Irish and it is beautiful that they are finally willing and happy to speak to you in it. I havn't seen that movie but I've heard of it mentioned in the last few days and I think that I ought to give it a try here some time. I wish that everyone of Ireland who is hesitant about speaking the Irish they know would come around as your people are doing.

Slan agus beannacht.

Go raibh maith agaibh.

Tá mé in éad liom féin na laethe seo.

As Maigh Cullen i gConnemara í ach ina cónaí i DC le 50+ bliain anuas.