Ireland has two official languages, English and Irish. While just about every street sign and bus stop lists everything in both languages, it is incredibly rare to hear someone speaking Irish in Dublin. Irish students learn the Irish language to preserve their culture, but most do not use it everyday conversation or consider themselves fluent. The exceptions are the Gaeltacht, small communities mostly on the western coast that speak Irish as a first language. These are the places that Irish students serious about the language go to study and probably the only places where a study abroad student would hear Irish spoken outside the classroom.
However, even speaking English there are several differences between American and Irish versions of English. For instance, when I was packing for my trip I noticed by dorm kitchen had an induction hob. What is a hob? A stove, apparently. Sweatshirts and sweaters are also commonly known as jumpers. I have no idea why considered I don’t jump any more than usual when wearing one. The Irish are also aware that some of their phrases sound strange to Americans and will have a laugh at our expense. When Irish students describe their weekend, and say they had ‘great crack’, don’t worry that aren’t referring to cocaine. Crack or craic, as its sometimes spelled, is a loan word from the Irish language meaning ‘fun’. The first time I heard this, I think my eyebrows rose to my hairline.
While some of the Irish phrases have grown on me, I will admit it does not sound the same when I say them. The Irish commonly use ‘Grand’ instead of great, fine or okay. Its charming when they say but it falls flat when I give it a try. Another is a ‘cheers’ a catch-all phrase meaning congrats, thanks, you’re welcome, or goodbye. However whenever I say it I get the urge to clink non-existent glasses.
