Five suggestions for parents and grandparents who would like to increase the use of Irish in the home.
The five suggestions #
1. Use simple Irish phrases during the day
For example:
- Instead of “Goodnight”, use “Oíche Mhaith”
- Instead of “Thank you”, say “Go raibh maith agat”
- Replace “Good boy/girl” with “Maith an bhuachaill” nó “Maith an cailín”
- Use “Slán” instead of “Goodbye”
2. Read a book in Irish at bedtime
There are plenty of beautiful books out there , and reading won’t leave you searching for phrases to say!
3. Listen to Irish language radio
Have the radio on during the day – tuned to stations like RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, Raidió na Life or Raidió Rí-Rá.
Watch programs on TG4 or on the TG4 player.
This will help with language acquisition and pronunciation.
4. Create simple labels to put up around the house
Labels such as “Doras”, “Bosca Bruscar”, “Fuinneog”, “Staighre”, “Ríomhaire”, “Tolg”, “Cathaoir”, “Bord” etc – there’s no end to the list you can use!
Make use of foclóir.ie to find translations.
5. Think about taking one part of the daily routine as ‘Irish-time’
Think about taking one part of the daily routine (bathtime, breakfast, dinner, car journeys – whichever is least stressful!), learning the phrases/vocabulary needed and incorporating an ‘Irish-time’ into your day.
The benefits of using the language in the home #
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
The Teanga Tí initiative #
Find more information, advice, best-practice, resources and much more besides from Glór na nGael’s Teanga Tí initiative.
Teanga Tí provides great support for families that are bring up their children with Irish.
Additional information #
- Advice regarding raising children through Irish outside the Gaeltacht
- If you need help raising children through Irish in the Gaeltacht, there is local support available from these groups: Tuismitheoirí na Gaeltachta, Muintearas, Tús Maith, Comhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta and Óige na Gaeltachta
