If that looks Greek to you, it’s not. It’s actually Irish—God be with you, or “Hello”. I’ve been taking lessons with the Friends of Irish Studies for a couple of months and practicing with some “study buddies” since. (I’ve been doing Duolingo for a while too, but it’s not as good as “in person”/Zoom corrections.)
Irish is a tough language, I’m finding. I knew a few common words growing up with both parents born in Ireland, and knew bread and butter, close the door, throw it out, please, thank you, some colors and other common terms (Aran agus im, dun an duras, caith amach, le do thoil, go raibh maith agat and such!).
And though I try the basics with Dad, his Irish is from sixty-plus years ago and not the standardized one in spelling/pronunciation anymore. But we try! I tell him Ta an spear gorm (the sky is blue) and he understands! He tells me three times to “An Solas a mhucadh” and I gradually figure it means ”turn off the light” (surprised we didn’t learn that one growing up!).
I’m better at reading/vocabulary! (Surprise!) than pronouncing/understanding, but it’s been fascinating to learn some of the language.
So if you’re interested in learning more, check out The Friends of Irish Studies. All are failte (welcome), and new classes are starting up in the fall.
And there’s also an immersion course in Irish trad music and in the language in the next months if you’re interested (online now, but they do in person some in Montana and next year I think perhaps back in Ireland again after a break these past few years!)
Check it out and maybe I’ll be able to say more than "Conas ata tu” (how are you) and hold a real conversation soon! :)
Slan!
FYI—Traolach O’Riordain, the lead teacher, is the Director of Irish Studies at the University of Missouri at Montana and my cousin! He’s been pushing me to start real lessons for years, but I’ve only just gotten to the point where I can try. It’s good to have the family keep challenging you!
