So. Here's my question. I'm kinda interested in learning Irish. Not entirely sure if I'm going to go to somewhere like this or allow myself to be harrased by a green owl. Either way. Why do all Irish speakers from Northern Ireland sound like this?
It's so… Stilted. It sounds like they're speaking a foreign language badly from a script.
Is it our accent? Are we doomed to sound like half wits trying to speak our own language?
by LaraH39
10 comments
Ulster dialect is different to the other dialects. It’s still Irish, if you think it’s a Northern Ireland thing it’s not as for years of leaving cert students can attest to, the Donegal accents that appear on the listening exam for Irish is a bone of contention.
Turas is as good a spot as any to learn. Stiofan there is a good teacher.
From the small amount I understand from having been taught Irish in school and with my GF being a Gaeilgeoir it’s the Donegal dialect! as much as you may not like the sound I think it identifies us specifically and it’s something to be proud of in a way.
Nothing wrong with the way he’s speaking other than it being stilted. He’s probably speaking slower than normal for the video which has to be digestable with subtitles for English readers.
I’m trying too. Best of luck mo chara!
Northerners don’t sound weird at all, I love the Ulster dialect and all the accents. This lad’s most likely just sounding stilted as you put it because he’s speaking slower and clearer as the video’s aimed at learners who might not be able to understand someone speaking at normal speed yet.
Ulster Irish is definitely a little different to the dialect I’d be proficient in, much flatter midland-ish, lots of little colloqialisms and bywords are used in Ulster Irish too which would be drawn out in the west or midlands/Munster.
Enjoy learning though, its a great language!
I started learning it in January of this year and I can honestly say it’s one of the best choices I’ve ever made! I would highly recommend going somewhere to learn like going to classes it’s a great experience and you meet some great people to help you on your learning journey, Bain sult a chara!
Have you ever heard anybody from the North who’s fluent in Irish??
Obviously if someone’s speaking broken irish they’ve learned from duolingo or GCSE it’s going to sound stilted
Is fearr Gaeilge bhriste ná Béarla cliste!
I went to Turas classes before lockdown hit. It was really great. A fantastic resource. Keep meaning to pick it up again.
The speaker there is actually speaking very well, they just personally sound a bit dour lol. Guarantee you they sound exactly the same in English. They sound like they’re speaking from a script here because they actually are, its a social media video giving you a tour, of course you script it. If you’re a chirpy one you’ll come across as such in your Irish too.