Language and Verbal Communication in Ireland

Official Languages of Ireland and Their Influence on Cultural Perceptions

Ireland’s Official Languages

Ireland maintains English and Irish as its official languages, which influences how citizens perceive their role in the world (“Ireland, 2022; Samovar, 2017, p.272). Larry Samovar, author of Communication Between Cultures, asserted that language defines how people “perceive certain portions of the world” (Samovar, 2017, p.272). This idea framed verbal language as a tool that people use to assign denotative and connotative meanings to their surroundings based on cultural values (Samovar, 2017, p.270). For example, the Irish phrase dia dhuit means both “hello” and “God be with you” in English (Adams, 2019). Even though the Catholic Church’s influence is declining in Ireland, these religious connotations suggest that Ireland uses religion as a lens to understand their world (Williams, 2004). Dr. Kevin Williams, author of “References to God are Part of our Language and Culture” reiterated this notion when he claimed that “the prevalence of religious [idioms] does suggest the enduring place of religious commitment in the heart and minds of the people of Ireland” (Williams, 2004). He implied that religion penetrated Ireland’s traditional language and allowed them to understand their place in the world (Williams, 2004). One question remains: what other cultural values influence Ireland’s native language? (Williams, 2004). 

English Vocabulary Translated into Irish Gaelic 

English Word	Irish Translation	Pronunciation
Hello	“Dia dhuit”	“dʲiə ˈɣɪtʲ/”
Please	“le do thoil”	“leh duh huh-el”
Thank You	“Go Raibh Maith Agat”	“guh rev mah a-gut/”
Can you help me?	“An féidir leat cabhrú liom?”	“un fay-dihr gai cow-roo luhm”
I don’t understand.	“Ní thuigim.”	“/nee hig-im/”
I don’t speak Irish.	“Níl aou Ghaeilge agam.”	“neil an whale-gyuh ag-um”
My name is Rebecca Mills.	“Rebecca Mills is ainm dom.”	“Rebecca is an-um dom.”
No	“Ni hea.”	“nee hah”
Yes	“Sea.”	“sha”

Irish Cultural Colloquiums 

This is a link that describes some of Ireland's cultural slangs. 

"Irish Slang Terms You Need To Know"

"How to Say Hello in Irish Gaelic"

English as Lingua Franca and Its Impact on Ireland

While Ireland recognizes English as one of its official languages, people in the “Gaeltacht” areas of Ireland speak Irish Gaelic, which presents challenges for intercultural communication (Quinn, n.d., 108). Samovar asserted that society “is increasingly characterized by interactions among people” with language barriers” (Samovar, 2017, p.266). This idea implied that in a globalized society, people encounter cross-communication problems when they do not share a common language with someone (Samovar, 2017, p.266). For example, when I communicate with someone who speaks Irish Gaelic, I will not comprehend their meaning or pronunciation of certain phrases, such as “An féidir leat cabhrú liom?” without an interpreter (Adams, 2019). However, Justin Quinn, author of “Irish as a Lingua Franca,” argued that a “lingua franca” allows people to transcend communication differences by adopting a shared language (Quinn, n.d., 112-113). Because of a “lingua franca,” I can communicate with someone from Ireland even if I do not speak Irish Gaelic (Quinn, n.d., 112-113). However, I should learn some Irish words, such as sea, to grasp cultural ideas and trends, which improves my intercultural communication skills (“Languages of Ireland”). 

"Census of Population 2016 – Profile 10 Education, Skills and the Irish Language"

How Technology Influences Language Interpretation

Irish Gaelic Original Paragraph

Tá cultúr gainel fé léigear agus fé bhagairt ag tsunami an Bhéarla, ach ní mór dúinn a léiriú go bhfuil grá gain don mBéarla ach gurb í an Ghaelainn an chloch is mó ar ár bpaidrín, a dúirt Dónal Ó hAiniféin, saineolaí ar an bpolasaí nua oideachais Gaeltachta, in agallamh d’adhmhaidin inniu (“Southern News: Irish Culture Under Siege,” 2017).

Google Translated Paragraph

 Irish culture is overwhelmed and threatened by the English tsunami, but we need to show that we love the English language but that the Irish language is the cornerstone of our prayer, said Dónal Ó Ainiféin, an expert on the new policy Gaeltacht education, in an interview for wood today (“Southern News: Irish Culture Under Siege,” 2017).

How Technology Improves Intercultural Communication

RTE’s web article “Southern News: Irish Culture Under Siege,” explored the relationship between language, technology, and their effects on intercultural communication (“Southern News: Irish Culture Under Siege,” 2017). Samovar asserted that new translators interpret written and oral works from one language to another (Samovar, 2017, p.288). These translators allow non-native speakers to access culturally relevant workers and understand new perspectives about the world (Samovar, 2017, p.288). For example, when I translated the RTE article, I understood the importance of the original Irish language at a deeper level (“Southern News: Irish Culture Under Siege,” 2017). However, while technology improved my understanding of cultural linguistics, it does not always account for cultural differences and dialects within a language (Samovar, 2017, p.288). Samovar reinforced this notion when he argued that “the difficulty lies in the machine’s inability to detect the [connotative meaning] of words [and other] subtle aspects of language” (Samovar, 2017, p.288). These limitations demonstrate the need for people to study other languages and cultures to fully grasp cross-cultural messages (Samovar, 2017, p.288). It raises one question: how can technology become more culturally competent? (Samovar, 2017, p.288).

Ireland's National Anthem in Irish Gaelic