World Travels - Learn about the Language of Ireland

The Language of Ireland

 

Words and Phrases in Irish Gaelic

Ireland has two official languages: English and Irish (also known as Irish Gaelic). Irish is a Goidelic language.

Irish was the dominant language of Ireland until two major factors hastened its decline:
- the introduction of a primary education system where Irish was prohibited
- the Great Famine, where a high number of Irish speakers (mostly affected by extreme poverty) died

Since Ireland has achieved its independence the use of the Irish language has seen a rapid decline. With such a sharp decline there is a real danger that Irish will become extinct within a generation or two, though there are a number of organizations and individuals in Ireland working to keep not only the language, but also many of the old traditions alive.

There are a number of distinct dialects of Irish. The three major dialect areas coincide with the provinces of Munster, Connacht, and Ulster. The differences between these dialects has made it difficult to define a standard Irish.


Irish

All translations are into the Munster dialect

Seasons:
Winter – geimhreadh
Spring – earrach
Summer – samhradh
Autumn – fómhar

Family:
Mother – máthair
Father – athair
Grandmother – seanmháthair
Grandfather – seanathair
Son – mac
Daughter – inín, iníon
Sister – deirfiúr
Brother – dearthair, deartháir
Aunt – aintín
Uncle – uncail

Phrases:
Hello - dia dhuit, Dia is Muire dhuit
How are you - conas tá tú
How old are you - cén aois tú
Thank you - go raibh maith agat
What is your name - cad is ainm duit
Where are you from - cad as tú
You’re Welcome - tá fáilte romhat

 

Colours:
white – fionn, bán
grey – liath
black – dubh
red – dearg
purple – corcair
yellow – buí
green – glas, uaine
pink -
orange – oráiste
brown – donn
blue – gorm
gold – ór
silver –

Numbers:
Zero - naid, náid
One – aon
Two – dhá, dó
Three – trí
Four – ceathair
Five – cúig
Six – sé
Seven – seacht
Eight – ocht
Nine – naoi
Ten – deich

 

Irish Proverb