Having read the recent thread on Antrim Irish and about Brian MacLochlainn being a fluent speaker of Antrim Irish I think that instead of say a Clare person endeavouring to speak Corca Dhuibhne Irish or a Louth person speaking Donegal Irish I wonder why can't some Irish dialects be brought back. One area say West Clare Milltown Malbay for example could become a pilot scheme where the adult classes in the area are in the dialect of the area and taught by the fluent speaker of say Clare Irish this could spread to the local school in the area. I suppose primarily already fluent speakers could undergo a course the same as there are courses offered every year to Sabhal Mór Ostaig for Irish speakers to learn Scots Gaelic.A week long course could work. I personally would like to learn my own countys dialect there are two native speakers left in my parish I intend to learn the dialect from them. Does the revival of a dead dialect make sense?

Dá mba rud é go raibh an Ghaeilge i staid i bhfad níos láidre ná mar atá sí anois, b'fhéidir go mbeadh luach éigin san méid atá á shamhlú agat.

Ach im thuairimse, tá sé i bhfad níos tabhachtaí an Ghaeilge atá againn fé láthair a chaomhú agus a shábháil. Nuair a bhéas sin bainte amach, d'fhéadfaí cainnt faoi abhair eile.

Ach ní sin ach mo thuairim.

Guevara,

The revival of any dead dialect should always be encouraged. There are basically two schools of thought on this matter. The first is to have few dialects to help conform Irish, and then the other is to allow many dialects in order to promote the diversity of the Irish language.

Both have pros and cons.

While I would like to see Ireland speaking a more conformed Irish, one of the great things about Ireland is that every county is unique and adds its own flavor to the stew.

Do you know if the Irish of your area was alive and well before, during, or after the standard? Sometimes, people get caught up in the dialects. While this really should not be a big issue, it does seem to be for some people. And you may be surprised at how passionate people get when it comes to this topic.

I am glad to hear that you still have some native/fluent speakers to help if you want to try this.

There are really only three big dialects in Irish; a person who learns the dialect closest to them will, in my opinion, be close enough to their own county's dialect. The biggest exception is eastern Ulster, where the heavy similarities to SG rendered the dialect pretty different form Donegal.

This is bollocks. If most people can't master living dialects -how the hell are they going to 'master' a dead one? Necromancy?

Guervara,

'Dead' dialects are taught and practised, indeed some dialects may not be as dead as they first appearr.

For example, there are native speakers in Clare around Doolin.

Bu as you can see it is controversial, therefore it is a wee bit 'underground'.

East Ulster is probably the most common place were this is popular.

I know East Ulster folklore was studied in CCA, Belfast. Around South Armagh etc one would find many scholars in the Oriel traditional - which survives strongly in song.

Pobal an Chaistil, Ballycastle also involve themselves in this kind of work, publishing folklore etc.

What you have to remrmber I think is that Irish is experiencing quite strong standarising forces, building on the forces that have pulled the language towards Cuil Aodha > Corca Dhuibhne, Rann na Feirste, Cosi Farraige.

The net result is that many people find the use of dialectal forms unacceptable.

The classic example is the use of the negative particle -cha. Still in use in North Donegal. It is regarded as sub-standard and may even invite oral aggression and certainely remark.

Slan.

(Message edited by gaelgannaire on May 11, 2008)

(Message edited by gaelgannaire on May 11, 2008)

"a fluent speaker of Antrim Irish"

I'm not talking about using a persons old county dialect to bring a much needed personal dimension to learning -I'm talking about broad brush-stroke statements like that

Bearn,

How is "a fluent speaker of Antrim Irish" a broad brush-stroke statment?

I am not certain I understand what you mean?

quote:

Brian MacLochlainn being a fluent speaker of Antrim Irish

Bhíodh do dhuine páirteach sa liosta Gaelic-L thiar sna nochaidí. Saghas cancráin a bhí ann, más buan mo chuimhne: fear trodach a bhíodh de shíor ag caitheamh anuas ar an ngáthGhaeilge a mbaineann daoine eile úsáid aisti. Ní dóigh liom gur mheall sé a lán daoine len é a leanúint.

Feicim gur chuir tú an cheist chéanna orainn cúpla mí ó shin, ach sa teanga atá mé a scríobh anois. Molaim do chid Gaeilge: bheinn thar a bheith sásta níos mó di a chloisteáil! Tá neart Gaeilge ag Pangur Dubh, Bearn, agus Gaelgannáire, agus ag a lán daoine nach iad anseo. Ní gá tús áite a thabhairt don Bhéarla.

- Guervara,

Mhothaigh mé gurb as Cuige Mumhan thú. Sa cás sin, tá an t-ábh ort ná gur cuma cá háit a bhfuil tú beidh Gaeilge bheo ar leibheal éigin mearsartha congárach duit.

Is é mo mholadh duit ná an ceann i congaraí duit a fhoghlaim go hiomlán agus ansin cuir leis leis na rudaí a d'fhoghlaim tú fá do chuid Gaeilge féin.