Is The Irish Language Important? - Little Cinema Seachtain Na Gaeilge Vox Pop

As part of Seachtain Na Gaeilge, we recorded a Vox Pop on Quay Street, Galway City on 8th March 2014.
We asked people to tell us if they thought the Irish language was important, and asked them where possible to answer in Irish.
We recorded for 1hr 45mins and in that time were blown away by the amount of Irish speakers we met, and by the great opinions they had.
Many thanks to everyone who stopped to talk to us.
Keeping the language alive is important, and everyone in the country can play their part in their own way. Enjoy the video :)

[@chrisconnor8086]

That older lady speaking irish is beautiful

[@robleahy5759]

She is telling you how enjoyable it is to overcharge tourists.

[@Tacoman1967]

@@robleahy5759 Brilliant. She reminds me of my Aunt. 😂

[@alanbrowne2529]

Aontaim leat

[@yourcomforter5755]

Where's her accent from?

[@BelindaSlator]

She sounds like my bean an tí.. from Connemara

[@kzteligo]

The same thing with kazakh language in Kazakhstan. Most of the people in big cities speak russian, youth think if you speak kazakh you're uneducated person from village. That's so sad. We have a saying in kazakh "if language dies, the culture dies with it"

[@Falscaidh]

+Kz Teligo The phrase used in Ireland is 'Tír gan teanga, tír gan anam' meaning a country without it's language is a country without it's soul.

[@amirtemurturk6634]

You are turks but you dont know about it.

[@crazykano]

mehmeh999 You are butthurt about Turks, but you don't know about it.

[@hannah.r6613]

T A T A R Y O K E

[@muhammadhassaan4339]

wise words

[@endikamerketegi9613]

As a native Basque speaker, i just want to tell to our Irish brothers and sisters not to give up. Our languages may be small compared to our neighbouring ones but they make us who we really are. (I love Ireland, visited it some years ago and can't wait to be back!❤️🇮🇪)

[@l2516]

Wishing the Basque people all the best from Frisia 🙌🏼

[@JohnWalterGates]

The same from Catalonia, albeit our country is not small, not at all. Death to Spain

[@estefmendiburu4200]

I would LOVE to learn basque. My grandfather was Basque, and I feel like I can touch my origins when I listen to the language. My mother tongue is Spanish.

[@mazharcelaleddinkeskinocak9626]

As a Kurd from Turkey, I support your struggle. Death to all governments who do not let their native populations speak their mother tongue !

[@madjidhamdini1977]

ABSOLUTELY TRUE ! Absolument vrais !

[@ailish3012]

From a Welsh speaker: Please learn your language! Let's help keep the Celtic spirit alive (in the UK+in general!)

[@0Zero_]

Agreed. The Celtic spirit lives on through us

[@redlandswest]

Trying to learn Gaelic Irish here in Australia by watching KZbin channels. I have Irish ancestry and I want to learn about my culture and heritage. ☘️💪🏻

[@Blentastic]

You'll always have a welcome home here Celtic brethren Irish..Scots and Welsh all have a common connection

[@slipperywinston4076]

The importance of keeping the welsh tounge alive is perhaps the thing I respect most about the welsh. Wales is truly the last bastion of celtic language, it's such an endearing feature of welsh culture, to endeavour in keeping such a beautiful language not just alive but thriving. in the words of Padraic Pearse "Tír gan teanga, tír gan anam", or "A country without a language is a country without a soul". Wales deserves respect for placing such an importance on it's linguistic history.

[@usandusonly32]

Ireland is not a part of the uk

[@gliuto]

Don't let it die! That's your identity, your history. English is important, but our own languages are too! Keep it alive!!! Letting a language die is like letting a species die (and it seems to be that we humans are very skilled in that, sadly). A globalised world needs a global language I suppose, and in this case it's English. I'm Colombian born from an Italian family, so if I wrote in Spanish or in Italian, many wouldn't understand me, so ok, let's all speak English for the sake of communication. But please, let us mantain our own languages as well, for the sake of Culture and self-identity and other tons of good reasons.

[@Isochest]

I agree. It is part of ones identity. English is becoming Globish so it's important for native English speakers to keep using the words structures etc of their dialect to prevent it decomposing into Hollywood Globish.

[@mostupdate8802]

Your grandchildren may perhaps be fluent in Mandarin, not English...

[@GrasImOhr]

Pier Bianco beautifully said! Thank you

[@finnsalsa9304]

Not a positive thing?

[@mehowop]

+Lalealyn Without identity you are nothing.

[@geeklette99]

I love how you can really hear where the accent comes from, it sounds so natural when they speak Irish language. I hope with the newer generation's love of cultures and keeping heritage alive grows a new boom in younger people learning to speak the language. To any Irish people watching this: As a plains cree person (native American tribes) in Canada who's language is dying and only spoken fluently by a couple hundred people, please don't lose your beautiful language. Once it's gone you lose a huge part of your history forever.

[@geeklette99]

@Cormac Mac donnacha I don't speak it unfortunately but it's called Cree. I can only understand it but I can't speak it back or write it. There's 3 dialects, I think?

[@bigjuicypotato1482]

The language is only kept up in small communities. Although it us taught in schools across the country most kids dont like it mainly because it's not taught like a language similar to how you would learn French or Spanish.

[@chananahar992]

many people are trying very hard to revive ladino - a mix between hebrew & spanish! 😁 i am loving it! & keep checking w duolingo. they r adding more languages. i'm studying 6 right now on there 😊

[@toade1583]

@@geeklette99 Maybe you could record your family members who can speak it and ask them questions about the vocabulary and grammar, that's how Manx Gaelic was revived. Having lived in Canada, I know the government often gives lip-service to addressing First Nation issues, but if we can try to start the process of revitalization, it'll raise awareness and eventually get government support.

[@sverigegrabben]

Irish people must never forget that their ancestors fought for their lives against the british for their freedom and the right to use irish language. / Regards from Sweden

[@lewsamson6830]

sverigegrabben Bra sagt! :)

[@Falscaidh]

+The505Guys That was because there was little other employment at the time, and of course during WW1 because of John Redmond's encouragement.

[@mufay8032]

FR

[@mattd1496]

sverigegrabben "...against British..." I think against English. Irish are British too, but not English.

[@mattd1496]

Mr Özyıldırım British is not an ethnic term. It's a geographic term. The whole land mass north to Gaul was called Brittania by the Romans. And UK is actually single sovereign union of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Equating British to same as "being of UK" is clearly a sign of ignorance. Ironically if any one who are not British would be English ie the Anglo-Saxons. But as I said British is not an ethnic or cultural term so English are British for sure as they went to the Isles in 5th century in the tribal age and made their nation afterwards. Also English are not only Anglo-Saxons but also Celts, Normans, Vikings, Gaulish Celts.

[@Finarphin]

There's no harm in knowing English, or Latin, or German, or Sanskrit, or whatever. But there is harm in not knowing Irish.

[@valp9411]

@@calumpatrick319 yes ?

[@calumpatrick319]

@@valp9411 oh

[@roseyy1920]

@@calumpatrick319 yes :]

[@NaSaSh1087]

@@calumpatrick319 yes 25000 L1 speakers and 2million L2 and L3 speakers

[@boadicea5856]

🤣😆

[@გიორგისვიანაძე-ძ4ო]

in XIX century we had a same problem in georgia. Georgian was almost replaced by russian, but then people realised "hell, we are losing our language" and they start speaking native language again. i belive irish people will do the same.

[@martavdz4972]

Yeah, it was the same with many other nations who now proudly speak their languages as a matter of course. Some of the languages were even half-dead when they were revived. It's proof that it can be done :-)

[@giorgikolxicolchian9581]

ხო რუსეთი ისე იქცეოდა ახლა ტქვენ როგორც ექცევით მეგრულს და სვანურს :)) ესე ენებიც კვდება, ასე რომ სარკეში ჩაიხედეთ

[@israeldavidleonrodriguez2887]

It's truly unfortunate that all South Korean children must stressfully learn English to get better jobs in future, although it's also wonderful for several peoples to speak English together behind their different mother tongues.

[@auspiciousman]

@@israeldavidleonrodriguez2887 what i wish is that languages were taken more seriously here in America. When I went into middle school, they didn’t even have Spanish class anymore.

[@israeldavidleonrodriguez2887]

@@auspiciousman Please, please don't expect them at all, as humorously speaking, only 1% of leaders feed the rest of idiots in the United States. All US-American commonfolks may never learn foreign lanaguages and international geography very hard at school, but there's no problem to survive throughout their lives, They may never live in a foreign country, as it's truly enough not to leave the United States till death. Even they really gonna study Castilian very hard, when they must really speak it only at workplace, but even Latino adult children have no chance to speak Castellan in their everyday life after growing up. Their Castilian sometimes gonna be getting worse and worse. Even 99% of Korean-US-Americans cannot ever speak Korean as second-generation immigrants, after becoming adults. I've heard that just a few smart students learn French in the United States.

[@RaffyPadDT]

I'm from the Philippines. I was learning Irish out of boredom at first, but now I'm putting my appreciation and passion into the Irish culture and their dying language as I've learned how rare this language is becoming. I really hope I can help Ireland, even though I'm a Filipino. ❤❤❤

[@clpro]

you have my respect

[@andrewjennings7306]

Based. Keep going!

[@myerwerl]

Fuck off. Preserve your own language. There are always asians like you who doesnt look up on their own language, yet spew bullshit like this.

[@andrewjennings7306]

@@myerwerl wth is up with u?

[@aarongambill6373]

@@myerwerl who said they don’t speak their native language? Additionally, who cares if they want to know Irish but aren’t Irish themself? Why is it a problem to want to be able to communicate with others in their native tongue? Should non-Deaf people stop learning ASL for fun? No, because different languages shift your worldview, and knowing more than one language allows multiple views through different cultural mindsets that are present in language. Being multilingual is something beautiful and there’s nothing wrong with learning an endangered language out of a desire to protect it.

[@IReallyMissCybertron]

I absolutely love that Irish-Estonian couple.

[@blackmanhulk605]

Me to

[@lookslikemeatsbackonthemen7030]

+The505Guys because she can dummy that's why

[@usmanshahid8267]

I really miss Cybertron... mixed race couples are beautiful when they have kids mixed

[@MrDoggen02]

The Anime Gamer lol, when did Estonians and Irish people become different races?

[@johndesohn7973]

James Bond Estonians are Finno-Ugric which makes them connect to Asians

[@Fnatic2010]

I am mongol and I think Irish language is really important. They sound so different from other languages in the world. So i wouldn't want that unique language to become extinct. So people don't be embarrassed of your language no matter where you live.

[@烏梨師斂]

Hope you get the Han Chinese out of Inner Mongolia. Best wishes

[@bveracka]

Nomado Mongolia is a beautiful country, and much like Ireland [I believe] it is also misunderstood. The language of the Mongols alone is very interesting and unique. However, it was the music that caught my attention; it is so different than the music of nearby China or Russia. It's a wonderfully unique sound. Ever since I saw the documentary about the Mongolian group "Anda Union" I have been interested in your people's music & culture.

[@Fnatic2010]

Brandon Veracka Then I advice you to search for "ertnii saihan" on KZbin Search and watch first result video with 11k views. Mongolian traditional long song "Ertnii saihan- Эртний сайхан". Song which was national anthem of the Mongol Empire. Oldest surviving we have. We sing this song on every national holiday, wedding or other such activities.

[@bveracka]

Nomado Thank You! I think it is wonderful to share cultures, and music is a language all of us can understand. Best Regards to You from Boston USA

[@烏梨師斂]

I wish you luck on taking back Mongol lands in Russia and China :) I respect Mongols

[@VBeguey]

Guys, you have a very beautiful language. Don't rely just on the schools, study it with your kids at home. Hello and best of luck from Russia :)

[@clodagh1016]

Thank u so much💕

[@axh8824]

Спасибо :) ( я учу русский) I also think you have a beautiful language~ from Ireland

[@VBeguey]

Icewolf Go raibh maith agat :) I don't study Irish (though I'd love to), but I know that there are Russians who do. Мне очень приятно слышать, что в Ирландии есть люди изучающие русский язык, поэтому я желаю вам удачи в его изучении :)

[@Counteris16]

Begey Vladimir You Russians are the fucking reason my nation language Livonian is almost destroyed, fuck you!!!

[@VBeguey]

Counteris16 I assume that you are from Latvia, little russophobe. The Livonian language, as far as I know, was dramatically reduced in speakers since the Conquest of the Teutonic Order in XII-XIII (Latvians repopulated ex-Livonian territories). So how could I be the reason? How could more then 100 mln people be the reason (if the most of them don't even know about Livonian)? Well, you are "free" now, why don't you revive your language? Or Latvian government doesn't care about it??? All in all, I don't care if you hate me for some reason, I just don't care. I didn't do anything to you and your language. Besides, Hitler blamed other nations too, you know.

[@corrinaskidmilmine6883]

I wish my grandparents had passed the language on to the family. No one in my family knows how to speak Gaeilge. I am trying to learn on my own now.

[@corrinaskidmilmine6883]

Thanks for the information! I will check it out

[@KM-lg9fk]

Corrina Skid Milmine you were successful during the last 4 years?

[@CEIVE4EVER]

that's what have happened and happens in many bilingual socities. there is a language that has prestige, and then you have the other one, which it use to be asociated by peassants and people uneducated. I'm from Galicia, so I know very well how this kind of situacion works. The key point it's that many native speakers choose to speak with their children in what is considered the prestige language, so slowly the other one tends to disappear as time goes by.

[@ahonatalukder27]

@@CEIVE4EVER happening in India as well

[@silverbat5873]

@@CEIVE4EVER Prestige? It happened because of the genocide of Irish speaking Irish by the British. They can take prestige and shove it

[@bilcarter]

I was in western Ireland years ago where the Irish language is very common. An old man in a shop spoke to me and I said to him, "I'm very sorry, but I don't speak Irish." He looked a bit angry and then turned to his adult daughter who looked at me and said "That was English."

[@JdSpoof]

lmao

[@DV-zv4ox]

Kinda sh*t on tbf lmao

[@ciaracaulfield]

I think the Irish language actually isn't dying out. My mam said that back in her day it was "uncool" to want to learn Irish so no one really tried, but these days young people have a lot of enthusiasm about learning the language and keeping it alive. Myself and my friends went to the Gaeltacht and it was packed with people speaking fluent Irish. I think Irish is growing now more than ever and hopefully it will continue that way. Tír gan teanga tír gan anam.

[@Jerimbo]

I hope you're right, I've been wanting to learn Irish for a while and started recently, and I'm going on a trip there in a little more than a year, and I'm not learning just for the trip, but I hope to have at least ONE good conversation there, even if I don't I'll continue to learn it, but but even outside of my own desires, it's sad to see a culture's language die, especially one as big as Irish, it's one thing for a tribe of a few thousand to lose their language, another for an entire nation, an entire culture made up of millions, to lose theirs

[@hannah-jw1wf]

yes!! it makes me so happy that people want to learn our language and it gives me hope :) unfortunately, there is always those who will say there’s no point in it.

[@svendinsvinderlin4569]

I'm deffinitley going to take learning irish more seriously... Once I'm finished my Irish exams that is.

[@eleanorcm7033]

While I don't doubt that the teaching of Irish could be improved, you learn your mother tongue from, well, your mother. Its our responsibility to use what we have at home with our children. To make the language purely academic in their lives is to sign its death warrant.

[@marconatrix]

It's certainly best to learn a language at your mother's knee ... but failing that you have to resort to other low joints ... Sorry, the old ones are the best/worst ;-)

[@threeletteragent]

@ That's the exact same thing.

[@Ahmed-ob6ec]

@@threeletteragent Not necessarily. Say for myself I speak my parent's language at home whereas I speak English at school and in society. I am definitely more proficient at English even though it's not what I use to speak directly to my mother.

[@c.miller2460]

Absolutely! That is the key.

[@Robert89349]

Yes but education is very important. Look at what Catalans have achieved. The majority of Barcelona's population nowadays are descendants of immigrants from other parts of Spain and non-Spanish immigrants as well, but even them are now fluent in Catalan because it is the main language of the school curriculum. There popular tv shows in Catalan, songs and pop culture, competing with a strong international language-Spanish. It's not perfect but Catalan language has been saved.

[@aradia_herodias]

I'm girl from Poland and I[m learning Irish and want to study it, because in my opinion it's one of the most beautiful and rich in history languages in whole Europe. So, ofc, Irish is important :) And I hope it will be more and more popular.

[@LittleCinemaGalwayIreland]

That's lovely to hear, so nice to hear how highly you regard the Irish language. When a gaelgeoir speaks it, like in the video, it sounds so beautiful and almost musical!

[@Aine4779]

+Danny Viking Ireland*

[@bemk]

+Pryvian Cá bhfuil foghlaimionn tú? Táim as an Isiltir agus ba mhaith liom rudaí eile na Duolingo, mar criochnoidh mé mo chrann Gaeilge sa seachtaine seo. Agus ceapaim féiceann tú teastaíonn níos mo cleachtadh uaim :D

[@aradia_herodias]

+Bart Kuivenhoven Tá mé ag staidéar ag ollscoil go Poznań (an Pholainn). Ba ghnách liom úsáid na Duolingo. (I hope it's more or less grammatical XD My Irish grammar still is not as good as I would like it to be n_n""" Sorry, I didn't notice the last sentence at first XD I guess it could be nice :)) )

[@bemk]

Pryvian GRMA :) An bhfuil tú liofa? Bhí mé ag staidear ar feadh bliain, agus is féidir liom leigh scéalta beaga ach nílim an-mhaith fós.

[@mklinger23]

I'm a native english speaker from the us. My grandpa came here in the 40s and was ashamed to speak irish so he lost it. never spoke it to me. I'm teaching myself now. Hopefully I can go to Ireland someday and use the beautiful language.

[@Foreverforests]

My ancestors came over during the famine and im trying to reconnect as well. We lost so much culture, history, and community!

[@Vsyovzaimosvyazanno]

Tír gan teanga, tír gan anam. I'm from Russia, but i'm so in love with Ireland, that's why i start to learn that incredibly beautiful language. Dear irishmen, don't forget your language. Sassenachs couldn't do it in 800 years, so rock on! I'm proud of Ireland, i'm proud all of you.

[@cillicanaza9497]

I have heard Russians make good Irish speakers, because they have a system of palatisation similar to the one in the Irish languagebut stronger. I am not Irish, but when I visited sadly only some of the native speakers in Gaeltacht had this Gaelic phonetic pronunciation, most of the Irish use kind of English sounds for learning and speaking Irish because English is their native language now

[@MLGsniper-oo8xp]

это классно

[@johntuohy1867]

Irish and Russian cultures have many similarities.Especially musically.As a young Irishman I was greatly moved by Russian literature.And will NEVER forget first hearing The Nutcracker Suite. Thank you.

[@garyb6130]

The accent on the Estonia lady is brilliant

[@ThatIrishSmurf]

I think that at least all primary schools should be all Irish speaking schools and not just the few that exist

[@Ok-dr7de]

So true

[@elkapitan_warcriminalcoyote]

Enderninja 327 same

[@eb.3764]

@Big Deo they should have more Irish immersion schools

[@leafix4819]

oH hEll nO

[@conor1506]

They should teach you REALLY WELL to fluency in like juniors and seniors then teach in Irish so everyone is fluent and then everyone should speak it at home. The problem is lots of boomers are like “it’s a dead language what’s the point” even tho it’s up to us to revive it

[@domhnullbeag]

I’m a native speaker of Scottish Gaelic and very much enjoyed this. I actually understood a lot of it. Gur math a theid leibh! (May it go well with you!)

[@SoLiTaRyBoNe]

Can I do an interview with you please?

[@mikelaranaetxarri2934]

From the Basque Country, happy for listening this fantastique language. Sounds great!

[@sonofherne]

I think your language is amazing too, Mikel!

[@zalaegerszeg9527]

We are so similar in our story, the basque experienced oppression from Franco, and us Irish experienced oppression from the King and Queen of England

[@asiersanz8941]

@@zalaegerszeg9527 Not only from Franco, but from spanish crown and even today from the french republic. Basque isn't recognized as official language by the french republic in basque territories.

[@adamfinnegan735]

I love the Basque Country and I love your language, it's so unique

[@asiersanz8941]

@@adamfinnegan735 Thank you my friend, eskerriko asko. Tiocfaidh ar lá!

[@Dornwild]

I chose Ireland for Erasmus to study Irish, and I was really surprised that Irish people kept asking me after 2 months like 'How do you say that in Irish?'... It was so miserable to see this happening, everyone is taught Irish in schools for almost 12 years and in the end they don't speak it, but they do speak German or French or Spanish. The reason is that Irish is not taught as a foreign language. Unless you admit it's not the kids mother tongue you can't do any further steps to save the language...

[@CEIVE4EVER]

You can't speak a language just attending to school. You need newspapers, television, radio; i.e. media. For example, if you put in irish many television cartoons, then you will find how the children improve their competence.

[@ckpalmeiras1318]

To be fair, they don’t speak Spanish or German or French after 5 years either😂

[@adamfinnegan735]

I'm in secondary school rn and the problem with learning Irish in school is that it is taught terribly, I can barely hold up a conversation in irish but we learn poems and short stories, I want to be better at irish but schools don't teach you it for fluency, I'm learning German in school too, I know WAY more German than Irish now, I've learned German for 5 years and Irish for 13 years, that proves how badly it is taught

[@ckpalmeiras1318]

@@adamfinnegan735 you don’t speak any German mate

[@silverkitty2503]

Yeah they focus on poetry etc ....its not the spoken language kids learn in school...its weird

[@Smiktozo-213]

Greetings from an Amazigh of North Africa! we are fighting the same battle! the Arabized Imazighen of Algeria, as well as the pan Arabist regime, has always worked on diminishing Tamazight (indigenous language of North Africa) as well as mocking those who speak it until eventually, people were not passing it to their children and only 30% of Algerians speak it as of 2016. for the past, 40 years we put up a fight and many lost their lives seeking the recognition of Tamazight and for it to be taught in schools which we have achieved in 2001 but we won't stop there and we are working to fully revive it. What I'm saying is don't let go of your language no matter what, if it dies, you die with it.

[@shadowboxing7029]

Language is the core of any culture, keep yours alive!

[@pepsiatlas5452]

nah lad. chuck that shite out

[@racisthomophobe2806]

America has no culture

[@ahonatalukder27]

@@pepsiatlas5452 don't expect an Englishman to understand

[@bigyoshi7134]

@@ahonatalukder27 nah you can chuck it out. Its a useless language

[@ronnieince4568]

There are about 6000 languages in the world 'almost all smalller ones are in decline .New Guinea has some 600 -the most linguistically diverse on earth. The most useful are English Chinese Spanish French German Hindi Arabic Japanese .In Western Europe it us English French German Spanish These languages enable you to communicate with the largest number if people .

[@richardsilva5110]

After learning the history of Ireland, especially the famine, i gained a deep respect for your struggle. Keep this language alive and make it thrive!

[@TheGreekAstoria]

I was mesmerised by the beauty of the sound of Irish! It sounds magical. Please don't let it die. If you don't speak it openly, I assure you it will die in a few years. This is the mother of so many modern languages and you should take great pride of it. I myself am Greek and I would absolutely love to learn your language. It has always been my dream to come to your country. Since I was a kid I had a flag of Ireland in my room, listened to Irish music even though I couldn't understand it and I was mesmerised by the beauty of the folklore Irish tales. I wish I could write all this text in Irish! A country without its language is a dead country and Ireland has survived British invasions, famines and immigration. Do whatever is possible to revive your language! Yours, Dimitris

[@СэмҚыпшақ]

We kazakh people have the same problem with our native language but nowadays kazakh language is becoming more popular and restoring it place in its native country. I wish all languages whose nations suffered colonization become popular and needed.

[@caseycronan9217]

I'm going to have to bookmark this video whenever I get discouraged with my studies.

[@providence1961]

Casey Cronan First I am not English native speaker. In my opinion English is the most important Language.(English became World language in fact )(also computer programing required English ability) Irish government must quit Irish language education because only less 20 percent Irish use Irish as native language. Irish language education cause so many stress to majority native English speakers in Ireland!!!! It is Human right infringement that irish government force to learn Irish!!! I heard that in Ireland it is compulsory required to learn irish language Although many irish students want to learn Spanish French German and Japanese Please give them free to choose 2th language!!!!! people who want to learn Spanish than it is good to learn Spanish as 2nd language people who want to learn irish language than it is good to learn irish as 2nd language. Compulsory education makes just lots of stress!!! FREEDOM TO CHOOSE Second Language!!!

[@caseycronan9217]

I agree that it is important to choose a second or third language. I've chosen Irish as my third language. My potential discouragement would be from studying Irish alone in another country, certainly not from the language, itself. Perhaps I should have been clearer in my original comment. Any compulsory course is bound to cause stress for some students, whether that course is Irish or algebra, but such is the nature of all schooling. It may not be the world's most spoken language, but it is important to specific communities, which should be enough to warrant investment in its survival. My hope is that the Irish language lives on, that's all. Your English is very good and I wish you fulfillment in all of your studies.

[@barvdw]

It's a good idea to study Spanish or German or whatever, but why couldn't they study it as a third language? Language is foremost a means of communication, but it also carries a lot of history and culture, which would get lost without someone continuing it. If you live in Ireland, Irish is part of that, as much as English is, even with a lot of Irish who speak English. I mean, Danes speak very good English, too, but if you plan to live there, you will have to study Danish. Also, in the Gaeltachtai, Irish also serves that first meaning, as communication. Without some degree of knowledge about it, you're left stranded. I agree with Casey, compulsory means stress, but it's the nature of schooling. The same goes for maths, religion, physics or PE. Irish is a historic treasure that connects the person studying it with Irish history and Irish people. Learning it doesn't infringe on your human rights, nor on your abilities to learn other languages or topics, on the contrary, bilinguals have often been found to have a better working mind, they have it easier to study even more languages, etc. But it does look like the methods of Irish language education are somewhat in a need for modernisation, if they scare away more people than they attract.

[@andreamurphy4624]

We do learn a third language in Ireland. Do some research before you type, Arther! I learned both Irish and German at school. I'm not fluent in Irish but I speak some Irish and fluent German.

[@martavdz4972]

Don't get discouraged, please :-) As a member of a conquered nation that has managed to revive its language, I know how important a nation's own language is.

[@tainahollo]

There should be more contexts to use the Irish language outside the school. For example, people could do more blogging on their hobbies in Irish. I tried to find a knitting blog in Irish and could not find a single one!

[@LittleCinemaGalwayIreland]

Very true Taina, if people were able to find small ways to do it in their normal lives, it would be a great way to keep it alive. The problem with school is not just the way that it's treated, but that once you leave the Irish class, that's basically all your Irish speaking done until the next class!

[@scottieglot]

Then start one! It takes somebody to do it. If everyone sits around waiting, nothing will get done! Ní mór duit a bheith cróga agus botúin a dhéanamh!

[@tainahollo]

scottieglot

[@GeorgeDoyle03]

So true Taina, an effort needs to be made, and there are so many ways we can do it. I like to translate different interests into Irish like terms and such from TV shows and movies, etc. With help from more fluent speakers I've been working on translating things from Doctor Who and have also started on Superheroes. Gaeilge for Geeks! I thought of starting a website or maybe blog devoted to that. Not sure how it would do but worth a try. Just for fun.

[@jarrellreyes8761]

Is the Irish language not really used that much? Even in Ireland?

[@giutarmastersergey]

Keep your language. Keep your irish roots. Cheers from Russia

[@Lichtregenschere]

What a beautiful language! I didn’t know that the Irish language sounds so pleasant to one’s ears. Please keep and preserve it. Your countries‘ future generations will thank you so much for passing on the Irish language to them, as it will enable them to profoundly understand their roots and the history of their country. Love from Germany!

[@jayjasperjp]

Across Europe, identity and ethnic origin has been intrinsically tied to the national language, yet in Ireland it was religion (Catholicism) that was tied to national identity, not language. I can't think of any other country where the national language was viewed so negatively and unworthy as in Ireland.

[@Falscaidh]

+Jasper Paolo In the aftermath of the Great Famine, the language became associated with poverty and English with progress. It has been difficult to shift that from the Irish psyche.

[@bridnichualain3021]

+Jasper Paolo - colonised minds :-(

[@AubEi7]

+Jasper Paolo All of northern Africa! ;)

[@zecchinoroni]

I love Georgian!

[@8polyglot]

This is a really good point about Irish identity connected to religion. Even with my great grandma whose mom was from Ireland, they didnt speak Irish but were devoted Catholics to the day they died and our family is still very religious. Anyone who married into that side of the family was meant to convert to Catholicism before the marriage. Their identity until now has been bound up in Irish = Catholic and loyal to the Pope of Rome as opposed to the Crown. Thats what endured, not the Irish language.

[@tom0poland]

Great respect to all the older and young people who keep their own language!

[@pocketsk3824]

I love this. I'm from New Orleans in the US but I have Irish heritage. I've recently become very interested in learning the Irish language for the sake of reconnecting with my family's past. It's difficult here because I have no one to speak it with, but someday I hope to travel to Ireland and experience it myself.

[@gezmondean293]

JimKeen • Well good luck with that , youll find no one in ireland to speak irish to .better travel to london , manchester ,liverpool ,birmingham or coventry 🤣🤣

[@Hemulen40]

I´m just blown away... a lotta people actually s p e a k this language , that the rest of Europe seems to think is completely obsolete ./ Way to go Ireland, take care of yer culture ! Greetings from Sweden !

[@OdinsRavensWolves]

I am shocked that they don't use their own language at schools and in the family, that's a shame, to throw away your own language for conquerors

[@Hemulen40]

Agreed, dude. We must take care of our cultural heritage, or we´re lost . ) :

[@cigh7445]

In the west of the country you will find more speakers because those areas were not as heavily anglicised as the east. The majority of the population are not fluent though.

[@cigh7445]

@@OdinsRavensWolves It's a long story. At least it is still a living language today, many peoples around the world lost their language completely.

[@OdinsRavensWolves]

@@cigh7445 i don't know why they don't abandon English and use Irish

[@frank-to7lu]

My grandparents came from Ireland. My Mom's Dad had barely landed when he was sent back to fight in WWI. He survived the Meuse- Argonne offensive and returned home to raise a family in Boston. Because of the prejudice he experienced in the Army and while trying to find work upon his return, he never spoke Irish in front of his children or grandchildren. Instead of wishing I had learned Irish when I had a younger more agile brain, I'm beginning now in my 72nd year and hope to be conversant by the clan reunion in Cork next June. This 2014 piece is a wonderful short. Well done.

[@LittleCinemaGalwayIreland]

What an amazing story! Thanks so much for sharing with us Frank! And well done for starting to learn now, you're an inspiration! Cork is a beautiful place, when you're hope I hope you have a great time at the reunion, and if you make it to Galway give us a shout and we'll get you a pint / coffee here!

[@UlyssesHaq]

So overjoyed to see Irish people speaking their beautiful and ancient language... And I'm English!

[@Msciwoj-j4x]

You're Pakistani, not English.

[@UlyssesHaq]

@@Msciwoj-j4xYou've posted one comment and you're already wrong twice. Keep going, you're only embarrassing yourself.

[@baerlauchstal]

Fellow English lover of Ireland and Irish here, Imran. Good to see a fellow-countryman here. Ignore our Gothic-scripted pal; his attitude belongs to no country I want to be part of.

[@Madmarkhor]

@@UlyssesHaq ur ethnically English?

[@mannaz_y]

"Dirgahayu bahasaku!" is a Malay saying which means "Long live my language" I can relate that to the people in this video.

[@srelease_indo]

+Luqman Nazery Never knew that before. it's usually used when "Hari Kemerdekaan". and it's always said "Dirgahayu Negeriku"... which i think this whole time means "Jayalah Negeriku". hai malaysian fellow... xD

[@Sergei_Ivanovich_Mosin]

Language, Irish or any other, is spoken culture, and everyone should strive to keep their culture well alive, a feat that's becoming much harder in this damned melting pot of a world where everyone is encouraged and expected to be like everyone else.

[@languagelover9170]

Exactly my friend!

[@marianushn]

although I agree with you, the idea of a "melting pot" is not a bad one. I don't think both concepts are mutually exclusive. You can be part of a bigger scheme of things, of a diversed and rich society, and still preserve the traditions and principles that shaped you as a boy and your family. We should treasure our cultural values because there's inherent beauty in doing so, and through you other people will get to know about your culture, nothing more and nothing less. Of course, and unfortunately, several people take it to the extreme, when they want to believe their culture is better than other people's culture -and by definition- some people are better than others.

[@MrCaspica]

The melding pot isn't the problem but people seem to forget that you can keep your own culture while interacting with others.

[@Gachain]

Yes marianushn, but with English being the dominant language on the internet and in international business it is increasingly difficult for minority languages, languages, like Irish; where only a minority of people in Ireland can not communicate in it, to continue to exist. SO It is Vitally important for speakers of Irish to use it as often as possible and NOT to differ to English, but like the French encourage and expect visitors to use as much Irish as they can and show a willingness to try. A MELTING POT blends differences together. Irish Gaelic as well as Scottish Gaelic need to be Forged again to be strong enough to still be seen after going through the Melting Pot. Maidhc Gáchain

[@Deperuse]

As a Canadian musician and language learner with some Irish heritage, I am very proud of the history within my family, partly coming from the west coast of Ireland a few generations ago. It makes me feel happy learning to sing a song in Irish. I often feel like I don't have much cultural heritage, history, or custom in my life. But when I think about the Irish language, it puts a smile on my face. I think the Irish should definitely integrate the language more, it's a pretty sweet language.

[@SunlethSky]

Being Welsh and Irish I understood a lot of what they felt; in Wicklow I barely heard Irish. In Gwynedd I didn't hear Welsh either. It's the same idea - a language needs more application, confidence to speak it and the efforts by the Taoiseach / Plaid. We're Celts for god's sakes, and should be PROUD of it!

[@owainmeurig]

There's loads of Welsh in Gwynedd.

[@bridint]

Thank you I will run for taosiech and help revive the language go raibh maith agat agus slan I'm fluent

[@threeletteragent]

Gwynedd (The North in general tbh) speaks the most Welsh. Go to Conwy or Caernarvon any day of the week and the shopkeepers will often address you in Welsh first out of habit.

[@gwendalduforum]

Same Thing in Brittany...

[@martavdz4972]

Exactly! Half of Europe used to be Celtic. There are still some remnants of that, for example, I'm Czech but one of my relatives had his DNA test done and the result said he's related to the Irish. So by preserving Celtic languages and cultures, you're preserving Europe's roots. Somehow, the Celtic languages and Irish music help me understand myself better, they make my life richer. And there are lots of Europeans who feel the same way. So please, keep the languages and cultures alive.

[@maryeddy4871]

My father grew up in Ireland, Ballybunion, County Kerry, Ireland. ( He is now 83 years old ) and even though his one sister always returned my dad never did after he came to USA in late 50's after serving in Air force, my Aunt (9 kids, one of them) always had an Irish Brogue and my father never did ( maybe being a Philadelphia cop for so long he picked up on Philadelphia slang/accent and lost it ) I will have to ask my father more about this Gaeilge because as i heard it was a form of writing or accent, not langue as fluent. I am sure my Aunt must speak but never heard at all those Irish parties and family Gatherings, just music, fine liquor and laughter~ WOW!! So beautiful sounding. Great video! Thank you so much for sharing. ( BTW, "Eddy" was surname of dad's father, Grand father half English/Irish, "McCarthy" was my fathers mothers maiden/sir name. Going to have to ask Dad why i never knew and heard this beautiful language! He is in BIG trouble now~ LOL! Nah, Best father & friend and Blessing to all. :-) Show less Reply

[@maryeddy4871]

@@Michael-bf1dt, Thank you for the kind reply. God Bless you too! Merry Christmas and wishing you and very happy and healthy New Year from USA! Have a few pints for me! 😜

[@stevieannechauvin8458]

I've been teaching myself Irish for the past year and every time I learn something new and remember it, it makes me so proud of myself!

[@Mariseacht]

as a russian girl, i dont know how i got here, but i'm in love with the language - it's so beautiful

[@lakama4965]

This is very beautiful. Please keep up speeking this language!!

[@ranjanbiswas3233]

I'm from Bangladesh and like Ireland and Irish people very much and this language is new too me but it's very hearty and down to the earth language to me

[@videovedo36]

Before the pride, before identity and culture, there lies this simple truth: a language is a unique 'reading' of the world and of existence. When a language dies a whole set of ideas about 'what everything is (or could be)' dies. And this doesn't concern only the people who were once able to speak that language, it concerns each of us forever. We lose Meaning, in every possibile sense.

[@siaahmadi413]

I'm from the Middle East and it gives me so much joy seeing some of these people speak Irish without stuttering.

[@Samcanplaymusic]

It's so cool to see the older folks and the younger folks both speaking it so passionately. Their pride is contagious.

[@levanie]

you have to broadcast all the channels in Irish, keep your language life, big respect from Georgia

[@NoxiousLynx]

Yes, absolutely. The Irish people need their own identity and Gaeilge is it. I would learn Gaeilge in a heartbeat and spread it to the world if I had the opportunity to learn it. It's a beautiful language like any other language and it needs to be heard not forgotten.

[@jamburga321]

More importantly though, how had the language improved 😊

[@valkumonster]

Hello ! I'm from Argentina and i'm learning irish and i love this language !

[@Falscaidh]

Maith tú!

[@AoifeNiBhraoin]

Fair plé duitse!

[@gunnarhjalmarson8930]

The Irish language is beautiful and must be fully revived, love from Sweden🇸🇪❤️🇮🇪

[@niyuni2108]

As a belarusian speaker I know how it feels to have a foreigner language used all over the state of yours and not having your national language supported except for enthusiasts as me myself. It feels hard and heavy, but seeing other countries examples of carrying the language or even succeeding in bringing it back on a daily basis is very inspiring. Keep doing the things you guys do! Good luck with that, be as inspiring and as nice further!

[@unknowndeoxys00]

I may not be Irish but I think Gaeilge is a beautiful language. I've been fascinated by it for a long time, though I know nothing about Irish culture. The Gaelic languages should really be preserved. I think I'd learn this if I could.

[@cyberzjeh]

+unknowndeoxys00 Try duolingo if you haven't yet.

[@Ok-dr7de]

I recommend duolingo as well

[@stoney7145]

+unknowndeoxys00 Well its preserved ,but the trick is having it as the ordinary language of the community again

[@ronjarovardotter1745]

I'm a Dutch girl and I'm learning Irish (Gaeilge). Just because I like it :) I think it sounds amazing and the writing is so unique. By the way, maybe it sounds stupid but that red-haired guy (who was with the Estonian girl) looks so Irish! Haha sorry

[@naenae6061]

Ronja Rövardotter I'm glad you like Irish so much go raibh maith agat

[@ralphraffles1394]

Remember also to thank the English for giving the world its language!

[@Dextamartijn]

Nederlands is ook heel belangrijk

[@YG-qh6tc]

Lol ik leer het Iers ook. Ik vind het een mooie taal, maar wel een moeilijke.

[@jimtownsend7899]

Ronja Rovardotter I'm certain people will correct me if I'm wrong, but I've heard that the red hair comes from the Vikings, not the endemic Gaels. Either way, I'm proud to say that my hair used to have some red in it, and while most of my moustache is turning gray now, there's still some lovely copper in it! (Irish on my mother's father's side. Brennans, Fitzpatricks and Dorans from Ballingarry, County Tipperary.)

[@itsgruesome]

Thanks for this video! I'm American and I was so uneducated about the Irish language. I really had no idea that it was so widely spoken in Ireland. It's beautiful to see people so proud of their native tongue. I'm so glad I got to see this!

[@myjourneytoenlightenment1572]

what a beautiful language. :-)

[@garthhunt7238]

Beautiful!!❤️❤️❤️

[@antars6272]

Lai dzīvo īru valoda - Fada beo an Ghaeilge ! Long live irish language! Riga, Latvia

[@naenae6061]

Go raibh maith agat

[@TickleMeElmo55]

I am American and there's an Irish heritage institution in my city that offers Gaelic Irish; hopefully one day I'll sign up for a semester and learn the basics, maybe even do intermediate work and visit Galway as well.

[@SoLiTaRyBoNe]

What city is that? Offers Gaelic Irish in America?!

[@TickleMeElmo55]

@@SoLiTaRyBoNe Chicago!

[@moonchild848]

I got 95% Irish on a dna test (was adopted so didn't know). Now i am gathering Irish language materials. I speak about 5 languages, but this language is like nothing I have ever heard of studied. I read that the ancient celtic people actually began in the steppes beneath Russia and also from Anatolia or modern day Turkey. Fascinating!! Ppl might not accept or believe it, but the migration pattern makes sense. The rest was Welsh & remote French from Brittany. I really love this language as it's my ancestors' language and I am determined to learn it even tho no place to practice in Canada lol!

[@AoifeNiBhraoin]

Hey I know your comment is 4 years old, but there is a Gaeltacht in Tamworth, Ontario. It's called Gaeltacht an Oileáin Úir. Maybe you could visit :)

[@moonchild848]

@@AoifeNiBhraoin - Hey, thank you so much for letting me know!! 🙂

[@AoifeNiBhraoin]

Cinnte! Bain taitneamh as do thuras!

[@AoifeNiBhraoin]

Ó agus rinne mé dearmad ar seo a rá. Conradh na Gaeilge Toronto runs conversation circles (Ciorcal Comhrá) where people gather and speak Irish over tea and cakes. I don't know if you live near Toronto, but if you Google Conradh na Gaeilge in Canada, you may find many more options 😊

[@justinbati9323]

Indigenous languages must never die. The Irish language is beautiful to hear, especially the elderly lady who spoke it so beautifully.

[@sachemofboston3649]

Really wish states in the US with strong Irish heritage would do more for the language as well. Half of the population here in Massachusetts has strong Irish heritage, and their ancestors spoke the language, but like the man in the video stated: "They brought the religion and not the language." It would make more sense to teach Irish in Massachusetts schools than Spanish as there are way more people with Irish background in the state than Spanish background.

[@AcidXprezZ]

1:17 this guy is a wise man... He was the only one who mentioned that its not only a way to communicate but also the way of THINKING. This is what makes Irish people Irish. God bless you Irish people from Russia.

[@kingboru86]

Thank you for this video. I'm starting to learn Irish now and looking forward to my years long learning. Luckily I have cousins in Connemara that can correct me as I learn.

[@ElGringoSam]

This is so interesting. I lived in England for a while (near the Wales border) and I understand about 20% of the Welsh population speak the language, but I was always under the assumption that the Irish language had pretty much died out. Keep speaking Irish!

[@akiii0917]

Irish sounds really amazing... ! Europe is beautiful with all the nations it has. Hopefully we'll know each other little bit more thanks for the eu. Greetings from Hungary

[@ConqueringCaffeine]

I'm English and love my own language but ALL languages are important. I sincerely hope the use of Irish will expand and develop for all future generations of Irish people.

[@daisypeters3216]

I still will learn irish language. I think that irish people so amazing and very much kind. I Love their culture😘💖🤗👍☘🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪

[@bearvinyl950]

30 odd years ago my partner and I went over to Galway and up the connamara coast and back to Dublin. I remember a TV program that was about a young man coming out to his father as gay. It was spoken in both English and Irish. It was I believe a brilliant and forward thinking show both to get folk interested in understanding and learning The Irish language but also on what I felt was an important issue of how to come out to your family. Well done Ireland and keep that beautiful laungage alive. Always be proud of your heratige and laungage but please be patient with us that don't. 💚💚💚

[@samuski36]

Beautiful sounding language!

[@broman178]

Don't ever let your language die, because it forms a huge part of the Irish culture and even identity and without the language, a huge part of the culture associated with the country is lost with it (which is basically what the lady at 7:01 said) and I say this as an English person myself. Hope Irish continues rising and perhaps returns to prominence in the future (something I do wish for the other Celtic languages along with other endangered languages around the world).

[@matheuszord]

Be proud of your language Irish people! Greetings from Brazil 🇧🇷 🇮🇪

[@klothildelammerschwanz8281]

I'm from Germany and learn it right now and I try to motivate my friends to learn a little bit too because it's very important for me to keep this beautiful language alive!

[@megansmiles7992]

I'm from America and I love learning languages. I am conversationally fluent in Korean and Spanish so far, and I also plan on learning every language my DNA comes from. I'm legit half Irish, so learning this language is my number one priority. next will be the Scandinavian languages. however, Irish is probably my favorite language so far because it's such a nice one to listen to and speak

[@RobertoPoncebk]

I'm from Mexico and visited Ireland because I like its history, culture and music, irish people were very very kind and generous. Love the irish music and celtic myths!

[@blueblaze9862]

im so impressed by the practice abd preservation of this language..esp. among the youth

[@marisolmorales7788]

I am mixed between Irish Puerto Rican and Scottish. I love every part of my ethnicities. I love to learn all I can about my roots, and I’m proud of them. I was born in America and most of my maternal family is Hispanic and the other half is Caucasian so it’s hard being the loan Spanish/Irish woman in my family because no one has the desire to learn any other language then Spanish... so I have to teach myself to speak Irish. But I’m definitely determined to do it so I can pass it on to my children

[@MargieWolfGirl]

I'm learning Gaeilge agus is maith liom seeing so many Irish people who are so proud of their language agus who are speaking it agus not willing to let it die. I'm Aussie but I have an Irish background, my family is from Contae Chill Chainnigh. I've fallen in love with Gaeilge agus while I don't know much yet I'm hoping to be able to speak it agus sing it well eventually. (:

[@tiinaikonen6353]

That language is absolutely beautiful, there is something very old, familiar and powerful in Irish language. I'm from Finland, but I feel that instant connection with Irish language, don't know why. To me it just sounds like it have always been there, that there is something very sacred and safe about this language.

[@katanah3195]

"It sounds like it has always been there, that there is something very sacred and safe about this language" Thank you for putting into words what I have never been able to. I don't really have any Irish heritage, a bit on my mom's dad's side but it's definitely the smallest part of my family history, but it's the only part of my heritage I've ever identified with, and the Irish language just sounds so right and so safe to me. It inexplicably calls to me, and I think you are right, it's because it sounds ancient and makes me feel safe.

[@linguaphile9415]

Today I had my first lesson in Old Irish at university. I'm from Germany and study ancient and medieval Indo-European languages. I have to confess the writing system of Old Irish to represent the different consonant sounds is rather daunting. I expect this to be the case in Modern Irish as well. My teacher swears it was logical and easy to pick up. I hope he is right. ^^

[@Jeroen1983]

There are some words that defy the orthography, like tabhair 'give (imperative)' - which is pronounced as though written túir or tóir most of the time - but other than this handful of outliers, once you get the system, it makes sense.

[@noahjohnson5312]

modern irish grammer is greatly simplified compared to old irish;

[@everheart66]

Irish is such, such, such a beautiful language. It sounds so strangely familiar... Like the leaves of the trees, whispering in the wind. Like the waves of the ocean, sounds from stillness. A murmuring in the distance, that arises from within.... Celtic language and culture once was spread all over middle europe. Many many continental Europeans have Celtic ancestors, but we have forgotten all about it. Ireland, It is your job to remind us of our roots... thank you for doing that and please revive your gorgeous Irish language!

[@claranceful]

Iam glad i speak irish in america i teach my kids and brother and sister thanks granny

[@YouBasant]

1st 30 second music is mind blowing.... Loving the music

[@ebor8402]

All languages are important, especially ones that are endangered.

[@jamessparkes7453]

I'm glad I'm discovering all this stuff. I started a Gaeilge course a month or so back. I'm nowhere near proficient yet. I wanted to learn it becuase of my background and because I sincerely don't know when it was spoken last in my family. My dads side is descended from Scot and Irish immigrants who moved to Australia around the early to mid 1800s. Since then I've discovered Kneecap and Manchán Magan. When I have children someday, I want them to know this beautiful language.

[@deepakneelkanth662]

Well, keep it up. Hats off to you Irish people. Please don't let it die .Use it atleast in your country at full fledged in daily life .

[@FAMEROB]

sounds beautiful

[@eniggaracer]

0:52 lol the guy over there

[@mattshipley570]

I never realised how cool the Irish language was, I have Irish ancestry and love learning more and more about it

[@bonkerzisgood]

It’s the most important thing for national identity and culture

[@esmeephillips5888]

Tell that to the Scots.

[@LetsGoWrongboarding]

All of these points aside, it's immensely beneficial to learn in two languages! The brain develops in a much healthier way when we can think in other ways.

[@lyrianmaximus4561]

im from sweden. our language has been spoken for an unbroken thousand years. seeing another ancient language die is very depressing.

[@MsNaikou]

Beautiful language ❤

[@DalionHeartTTV]

I'm American and my family and I are looking to immigrate to Ireland. I would love to learn the language as well.

[@DalionHeartTTV]

@GOOD & WHOLESOME It's not exactly cheap here in America either. Besides, I've already scoped out the housing market in Ireland. Found a nice place my family and I would like to buy, so I'm well enough aware. Thanks for the heads up though.

[@NESTEAftw]

Very beautiful language and sounds interesting!