Filed under: Internet Love, irish language | Tags: affair, dell, disease, irish, language, lazy, LOVE, rte, teapot
The more that happens in my life, the less I write about it. It’s been a busy week, so I’ve been a lazy blogger. Busy, and my keyboard seems to have developed some sort of disease that makes it only register every second letter I type. Infuriating.
It’s always sad when a love affair ends; whether it’s with a life partner or a household gadget. We rely on these things to make our lives work smoothly, and it’s a real shock to find that you’re suddenly free on Friday nights, that nobody is going to fix the broken light in the landing, or that it’s not possible to print a Word file in a hurry anymore.
Although I don’t have anything nice to say about my laptop right now, I’m feeling generous when it comes to this teapot (and everything else on this site).
Yum.
Yep, I know it’s a lazy post, but it’s nearing 2am and the only things on my mind right now are finishing the RTE Guide crossword and dreaming teapot themed dreams.
Óiche Mhaith
Filed under: irish language, patriotism, proverbs | Tags: irish, language, proverb, teanga
Irish seanfhocail (proverbs) often come to my mind at the strangest times. Hungover mornings, I think ‘oíche aerach is maidin brónach’, which is a proverb and a life lesson I was never taught at school. It means ‘a good night and a sad morning.’ True that. Times of major stress or self-doubt I remember ‘ná mol agus ná cáin thú féin’ which means ‘never praise nor criticise yourself’. My personal favourite is ‘ar scáth a chéile a mhairimid’ which translates to ‘we all exist in each others’ shadow’.
Why are Chinese proverbs so commonly quoted, and the Irish ones consistently overlooked? How did the Chinese end up with the reputation of wise sages, and the Irish somehow became whisky-loving, rainbow-chasing, reel-dancing drunkards? I actually enjoy the reputation, as any Irish person who has ever left the country probably does. But I’m starting to worry about the lack of recognition our language, our history, our heritage is getting. There’s more to Ireland than Arthur Guinness and Riverdance.
Last night I watched an episode of ‘Glas Vegas’, an Irish language talent show on the country’s only Irish TV station. (I should clarify that when I say Irish TV Station, I mean the majority of the programmes shown are in the Irish language.) I was amazed that most of the contestants didn’t speak a word of Irish, and that those who did spoke it badly. Can anyone tell me what the point is of filming a show like that? Is it to highlight the desperate need for a revival of the Irish language? I hope so. If it was simply meant to entertain, it fell way short of the mark.
Give me back my language, please. I’ve decided to take part in EVERY Irish-language event held in Ireland’s south-east this year, and to speak Irish with anyone who could string a reply together. There’s one beautiful Irish saying I haven’t mentioned yet – ‘tír gan teanga, tír gan anam’. ‘A country without a language is a country without a soul’.
