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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q:
What is Conradh na Gaeilge?
A: Conradh na Gaeilge (CnaG) is an Irish language organization, based in Dublin,
which was founded in 1893 to promote Irish culture by promoting and teaching
Irish, the native language of Ireland.
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Q: What does "Conradh na Gaeilge" mean?
A: It can be translated as "The Irish Language League" or "The Gaelic League".
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Q: Why do you call the language "Irish"? Isn't it "Gaelic"?
A: Yes, it's Gaelic. But so are Manx Gaelic and Scots Gaelic -- they all belong
to a family of languages called "Gaelic". An analogy would be to ask "Isn't
French a 'Romance Language'?" Of course, but so are Italian, Spanish, Romanian and Portuguese.
So to be more precise, we call it Irish. Some refer to it as "Irish Gaelic".
Either is acceptable.
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Q: Irish language? I thought Irish was just "English with
a brogue". Are you just teaching people to talk like Darby O'Gill or the Lucky
Charms leprechaun?
A: The "accent" you hear when an Irish person speaks English is a reflection
of the sounds of their native language -- "Gaeilge" -- which is called "Irish"
by modern linguists. Gaeilge (Irish) is considered the first language of Ireland,
and is taught to every school child. Because of a long history of conquest and
colonization by England, English has become the more dominant language. According
to the 1996 census, 1.4 million (41.1%) of Irish people over the age of three
are Irish speakers, of which 86,039 lived in what are called the "Gaeltacht",
or Irish-speaking regions and use Irish every day.
The term "brogue", incidently, comes from the Irish word "bróg", meaning
"a shoe". It has derogatory origins, since the English felt that Irish people
spoke English as though they had a shoe in their mouth. It was used in a fashion
such as this -- "Look, Paddy is trying to speak English through his bróg.
How quaint!"
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Q: You mentioned the term "Gaeltacht" earlier. What's
that?
A: A "Gaeltacht" is a region in Ireland where Irish is the primary language
spoken. There are several such Gaeltachta’ in Ireland, predominantly along the
west coast (in Counties Kerry, Cork, Galway, Mayo, Donegal) with two smaller
areas in the east (Ring, Co. Waterford and Rath Cairn, Co. Meath). There are
scattered areas elsewhere where Irish is spoken, but these are not considered
Gaeltachtaí.
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Q: What is "Conradh na Gaeilge Shasana Nua" (CnaG-SN)?
A: The Gaelic League of New England (U.S.A.). It is a branch of Conradh na Gaeilge
that was founded in 2003 to better organize and publicize the widely scattered
and diversely-run Irish language classes throughout the six northeastern states
of the U.S. that comprise the geographic area known as "New England".
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Q: Why would someone in America want to learn Irish?
A: The reasons are many and varied. Some want to learn Irish in advance of a
trip to a Gaeltacht area; many have an interest in history, literature or music
and wish to experience the rich culture of Irish through the medium of its own
language; others want to have some Irish because it's part of their heritage.
There are many more reasons we've heard over the years that are too numerous
to list, but they all have one thing in common -- an appreciation for "Irish"
in its broadest sense, that transcends the superficial understanding most Americans
have of Ireland and its culture.
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Q: Is Irish a difficult language to learn?
A: If your native language is English, Irish will seem more challenging than
some languages, but easier than some others. For adult learners, the key to
success is often just spending a little time each day learning new vocabulary
and then as often as possible, seeking out places and people where/with whom
it can be practiced verbally. Attending Irish classes provides help with both
of these things, as you not only learn the language, you make new friends and
acquaintances and become part of a "network" of fellow Irish learners/speakers
in your area.
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Q: What's the difference between a CnaG "affiliate"
course and one that's run directly by CnaG?
A: The governing committee of CnaG understands that there can be many successful
approaches to teaching the Irish language. While our staff has decades of experience
in delivering effective Irish language classes to adult learners throughout
New England, and applies this experience to the courses it directly organizes,
we have seen fit to accommodate those teachers or groups which may prefer a
differing approach. "Affiliate" courses are run by individuals or groups which
have requested the assistance and guidance of the CnaG staff and whose curricula
meet the standards of CnaG, but who otherwise choose not to use the same CnaG
formula in conducting their classes.
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Q: Why are the classes of Conradh na Gaeilge Shasana
Nua so inexpensive?
A: CnaG-SN is run entirely by volunteers. The small amount we charge for a semester
of classes helps pay for venues (where applicable), operating expenses, the
teacher's expenses for materials, and provides a small stipend for the teachers'
time. CnaG-SN seeks to keep classes as affordable as possible to help make Irish
available to as many people as possible.
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Q: Does my registration fee also cover the cost of books?
A: No. While the cost of handouts and supplemental materials is covered by your
fee, books must be purchased separately. Students can
purchase books ahead of time through many reputable dealers (several of which
are listed on our website), or at the first class meeting from CnaG. A list
of books used for your course can be found on the same web page where your course
details are listed.
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Q: I've never heard of Conradh na Gaeilge before. How
long have you been around, and why aren't these classes more widely publicized?
A: Conradh na Gaeilge was founded in 1893 by
a group of Irish language enthusiasts in Dublin, Ireland. The New England branch,
while relying on the experience of teachers who have taught elsewhere for other
organizations, is relatively new and still making its "mark" on Irish language
endeavors here in the U.S.
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Q: Where does CnaG-SN have classes available?
A: It varies from year to year. Check our website www.gaeilge.org
in mid-summer each year to find out where classes will be held in the fall,
and in mid-winter to find out where our spring classes will be held.
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Q: I live in New England but you don't have any classes
near me. Will you be coming to my area?
A: As mentioned previously, CnaG-SN is run entirely by volunteers. If you think
you could round up enough students (usually 12-24 depending upon pricing structure)
and are willing to handle publicity in your area (flyers, letters to newspapers
& radio stations, etc.), CnaG may be able to send a teacher out to hold classes
in your area. If so, contact us at eolas@gaeilge.org.
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Q: I'm handicapped. Are your class locations able to accommodate
my disability?
A: It depends on the location, which can vary from year to year. Please contact
us at eolas@gaeilge.org to check
on the limitations at your class location of choice.
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Q: You said CnaG-SN is "volunteer-run". So who's in charge
and how do things get done?
A: CnaG has a slate of officers who carry out the day-to-day responsibilities
of the organization, but major decisions are made at a yearly gathering called
the "Ard-Fheis". Any current student or paid member is eligible to vote or hold
office, and we encourage participation in CnaG-SN activities at all levels.
A list of current office-holders can be found elsewhere on our website.
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Q: I've heard people make mention of "dialects" of Irish.
What are these, and how are they different from one another?
A: Within most languages, as you travel from region to region, people will often
have different way to say the same things from one place to another. These are
differing expressions are often called "idioms". Additionally, there are sometimes
more than one word for a given thing, and one area may favor a certain word
over another. Ireland has three major dialects -- Munster, Connacht and Ulster.
There are some subtle and some not-so-subtle differences from one dialect to
another, including some differences in pronunciation. A good teacher may focus
on one dialect, but should also tell you when a word or sentence might be said/pronounced
a little differently in another dialect. There is also an "official" standard
of Irish called the "Caighdeán Oifigiúil," referred to by native
speakers as "book Irish." The Caighdeán attempts to blend the dialects
so that the learner will be understood as widely as possible. This is sometimes
taught using a pronunciation standard called the "Lárchanúint,"
or "Central Dialect", which is a somewhat artificial blending of the pronunciations
used in the dialects.
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Q: What dialect will I learn in my CnaG-SN classes?
A: It depends upon the teacher -- where they're from, what teachers/influences
they've had, and what areas they travel to when they're in Ireland. If you are
seeking a specific dialect, please contact us before registering so that we
can help guide your class choices.
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Do you have a question that's not addressed here? Send us an e-mail
and ASK us!
