Dia dhuit, your resident Irish language fanatic speaking! Just when you thought the Irish language was pronounced dead, I’m here to declare it very very much BEO! (If you didn’t cop, that means alive). So basically, I presume you’re reading this article with the intention of using more Irish in your everyday life. Well, here are my best tips for doing just that. And don’t get worried, none of these include taking a trip to the depths of Connemara. That’s for next week’s article. Alright, let’s go!
Got a phone? Use it!
This one is a pretty smart hack that people don’t usually think of! So basically, you know all the little details on iPhones – the date on the front, the calendar things, all those little bits and bobs we look at everyday but never take any notice of? There’s actually a function that allows you to put your iPhone language as Gaeilge! Now, word of warning, sometimes this can be a bit more intermediate than beginner, for the simple reason that some settings turn as Gaeilge too! However if you are on the intermediate side of things, or simply love a challenge, head off into settings and give it a go. You’d be surprised how quickly you learn the words!
Feeling brave? Use your laptop as Gaeilge!
Okay, now remember what I said about turning your phone as Gaeilge? This makes your phone as Gaeilge look like a blast. Some people I know have changed their laptop settings to Irish. Now, fire ahead if you will, but I would hold on this for a while, because tbh I’m still figuring out what half the settings on this bloody laptop are in the first place, never mind in Irish!
Read, read, read!
There’s a pretty decent misconception out there about Irish reading. I’m here to clear things up. Take it as gospel from me that there is no obligation for you to read Peig, cover to cover or nothing else. There are other things to read. Some of my favourites include childrens and teenagers books. I find regular books as Gaeilge way too difficult, but kids books are a good place to start. There’s even translated copies of Harry Potter available! A good place to get these books is charity shops, or second hand bookshops, preferably. Another great option is websites such as Molscéal or NÓS, who write articles as Gaeilge about all kinds of areas of interest. It’s pretty cool because you can read about makeup, but as Gaeilge!
Labhair é!!
Okay, I’ll shut up soon, but this is my last and best tip. Just speak Irish. If you know any Irish, just speak it. Here’s a little story as an example. Over summer, I worked for an ice cream company by the seaside. Yeah, I know, perfect job really. Anyway, last year in the same job, I was approached by a family who ordered their ice cream as Gaeilge! I was in awe, and realised you never know how many people actually know Irish. So I made myself a makeshift sign that said ‘Labhair Gaeilge Liom’, meaning ‘speak Irish to me’ and hung it up. After that I had at least one person coming up to the shop everyday speaking some form of Irish. Even if all they could manage was a shy ‘Dia dhuit’, it made my day! (And sometimes theirs, because I was so happy to hear Irish I usually gave a little discount lol). Not only that, but my lovely coworkers got in on it, and one lovely girl learnt some useful phrases for speaking to customers, like ‘Beag, meán nó mór? Cupán nó cón?’
So, I’m going to shut up now. Those are my tips for incorporating Irish into your everyday life. I know a lot of these tips are centered around people who know some Irish but anything is better than nothing. Even throwing a little ‘Dia dhuit’ at the barista or my favourite, saying ‘Go raibh maith agat’ to the bus driver. It’s the little things. Now, go forth and be proud and comfortable to speak Irish!
Slán go fóill!!