Speaking Irish to Your Grandchildren
This information below has been put together by Comhluadar. For further information visit their website at comhluadar.ie
When you speak in Irish with a child, you give them a valuable advantage which could help them to:
- Learn how to read and count
- Learn other new languages
- Develop communication skills
- Get a job in the future
- Make new friends
- Become part of the new generation of Irish speakers
- Strengthen their identity
Four simple things you can do to pass on Irish to your grandchildren:
- Use simple Irish phrases during the day: ‘Oíche Mhaith’ instead of ‘Goodnight’, ‘Go raibh maith agat’ instead of ‘Thank You’, ‘Maith an Buachaill/Cailín’ instead of ‘Good Boy/Girl”, Slán’ instead of ‘Goodbye’ etc.
- Read them bedtime stories in Irish. There are many beautiful Irish books for children and you will pass on plenty of useful phrases.
- Listen to Irish language radio like Raidió na Gaeltachta, Raidió na Life or Raidió Rí Rá, and watch TG4. This will really help them to acquire the language and pronunciation.
- Create simple labels to hang around the house (doras, bosca bruscar, fuinneog, staighre, ríomhaire, tolg, cathaoir, bord, etc.). You can use www.focloir.ie to find translations.
