As a visiting student for the semester, oftentimes you are allowed to take classes specifically designed for international/ visiting students. At least at University College Cork, the class sizes are small to promote a sense of community, and typically more laid back than the traditional courses. The “special” class I opted to take was Modern Irish – a VERY beginner level Irish language course.
I spent my entire life learning Spanish, and here in Ireland, since my core friend group consists of visiting French students, I have been learning a lot of French as well. These languages are quite similar to each other (at least compared to Irish) with many cognitives and it is typically easy to sound out words you may not have seen before. In Irish, that is not the case. There are letter combinations and sounds that I have never seen before, which makes it all the more fun to learn (less fun to spell, though)! I am going to teach you some basic Irish phrases (in the Munster dialect) that I have learned in the two weeks of class that may help you if you ever go to Ireland! If traveling around Ireland, you may notice that many signs have both the Irish and English translations for everything, so although learning Irish is not necessary to go to Ireland, I think it has enriched my experience a bit in learning how to pronounce the Irish words I see!
Coláiste na hOllscoile Corcaigh [“colashta nah hoscholla Cork-egg] → University College Cork
Áras na Mac Léinn [“orous nah mock lane’] → Student Center
Dia dhuit [“dia huut’- but with a throat sound on the h] → Hello (literally: God to you)
Conas atá tú? [“connas ataw to’] → How are you?
Responses:
Go maith [“go ma”] → Good
Táim go hointach [“time go hunta’- with a throat sound on the last word] → I’m brilliant
Is deas bualadh leat [“es dyas buulah yacht”] → Nice to meet you
Tabhair aire [“tour aira”] → Take care
An dtuigeann tú? [“on diggen to’] → Do you understand?
Responses:
Tuigim [“tiggem”] – I understand
Ní thuigim [“knee higgum”] – I don’t understand
Níl fhios agam [“kneel iss agawm’] → I don’t know
Ní cuimhin liom [“knee queen lom”] → I don’t remember
Más é do thoil é [“ma-shay dough hall-ay’] → Please
Go raibh maith agat [“go rev ma agot’] → Thank you
Response:
Fáilte romhat [“fallta roht”] → You’re welcome
Gabh mo leithscéal [“gav mow lescheal”] → Excuse me
These phrases are very basic – but I am only two weeks in! If you have the chance to come to Ireland, learn the language. It’s fun, and a great way to connect with the culture!
