How to Start (and Keep) Speaking Irish

Why do you want to speak Irish?

You might think the answer is obvious: "to speak Irish!"

However, it's important to know why you want to learn Irish in order to approach language learning effectively. Whether you want to know a few phrases for travel or use Irish in your everyday life, understanding your goals will help you choose the right resources and activities. Fluency in a language involves more than just speaking; it includes reading, writing, listening, vocabulary, grammar, and cultural understanding. Many language resources focus on pre-made texts and recorded conversations that may not be relevant to you.

By knowing your goals from the beginning (such as speaking with loved ones, reconnecting with your heritage, experiencing Gaelic Ireland, learning a minority language, etc.), you can tailor your learning experience to align with what's important to you and make progress in a meaningful way. There are many approaches to language learning, and by reflecting on why you want to learn Irish, you can work backward and choose activities, routines, resources, and vocabulary that align with your personal goals.

What activities bring you joy in your native language?

Discovering and embracing your interests and hobbies can enhance your journey of learning the Irish language. Whether you enjoy reading, watching movies, listening to music, playing sports, or telling stories, incorporating these activities into your language learning will make it more enjoyable and cater to your specific needs.

Remember that learning a language is similar to mastering any other skill (it's often estimated that mastering any skill takes around 10,000 hours). With enough dedicated time and practice, you will make progress. Instead of spending all that time relying on dictionaries and grammar manuals, you can make significant strides by immersing yourself in activities you love, such as traditional singing. By finding joy in your learning process, you can take the work out of learning and make the most out of your experience while you work towards fluency in Irish (and if you happen to find joy in grammar manuals, that's great too!).

What topics do you typically discuss in your native language?

Understanding what most people usually talk about can guide your early learning. This includes talking about yourself, your family, where you live, what you do, and your interests. Knowing this will help you get started by focusing on words and phrases related to your age, gender, location, and hobbies.

When you have a clear understanding of why you want to learn Irish, what brings you joy and interest, and the basic topics you usually talk about, you'll be on a good path to begin your journey and, most importantly, continue with Irish through the ups and downs.

I have my goals, now what?

When you start learning Irish, focus on the basics. This means learning the alphabet, how words change, sentence patterns, common words, and simple phrases. Learning Irish can be challenging when it comes to understanding grammar terms in textbooks. Studying the grammar of your native language can help you understand these confusing terms better.

Choosing a target dialect of Irish is important, even though it may seem early to do so. Irish has a written standard called An Caighdeán, but it doesn't represent any particular dialect. Its purpose is to make works written in different dialects understandable to speakers of other dialects. It's important to note that there is no standard pronunciation for Irish, despite an attempt in the 1960s to establish a "Lárchanúint" (central dialect). Native speakers often prefer not to use the written standard, when speaking or writing ("Ní bhacaim leis an gCaighdeán"). So, choosing a target dialect from the beginning will help with pronunciation, word choice, grammar, and understanding the culture. Different dialects and the written standard can vary greatly (for example, "tail" can be Eireaball in Munster, Drioball in Connacht, or Ruball in Ulster).

Speaking and pronouncing Irish correctly can be harder if you're not in an Irish-speaking environment, but it's important to work on it early. If you delay it, you might reach a point where you have to go back and start again.

Learning a language involves hearing or reading what native speakers consider correct and using those structures yourself. At first, you'll learn many set expressions without fully understanding their grammar. For example, you may learn to say "go raibh maith agat" as "thank you" without knowing its literal meaning of "may that goodness be at you." This might be frustrating, but it's similar to how children learn. Focus on sounds and simple sentences initially. As you progress, you'll gradually understand the meanings behind expressions and be able to create your own sentences. Grammar acts as instructions for putting words together meaningfully. By imitating and modifying example sentences, you'll establish a strong foundation before creating complex sentences on your own.

Finding Motivation

To stay motivated while learning Irish, it's important to actively use the language every day. Simply having access to great learning resources, like textbooks or apps, won't be enough if you don't actively engage with them. Many learners focus too much on reading and writing, neglecting the essential skill of speaking and conversing in Irish. However, speaking and making mistakes contribute immensely to learning and understanding, surpassing the benefits of reading and writing alone.

Finding ways to actively use Irish can be challenging, especially if you're not living in Ireland. But every opportunity to speak and use Irish, even with mistakes, greatly enhances your learning in ways that reading and writing cannot. It's like the difference between reading about how to paddle a canoe, and actually being on a lake in a caone every day for a month. Regular practice and repetition, even in short sessions, helps the material enter your longterm member much better than sporadic cramming. Finding small ways to have Irish in your life everyday makes language learning a habit.

There are various ways to incorporate Irish into your daily life. You can join local Irish language groups or find language partners to practice speaking with. Even simple activities like having conversations with the TV or radio as though they are speaking to you, reading children's books or watching kids’ shows in Irish, or learning the words to Irish songs can help expand your vocabulary and improve grammar and pronunciation.

It's important to find resources that suit your interests and learning style, such as books in the dialect you wish to learn or audio-based programs like Pimsleur and Rosetta. The key is to actively engage with the language in some way every day, and incorporate it into your daily routine to maintain motivation and make progress in your Irish language journey.

Hurdles

Learning a language takes hard work and dedication, just like any other goal in life. Sometimes the journey towards fluency can be challenging, with tough days along the way. If someone believes they can't learn or they don't have enough time, they might not even try and end up quitting. It's easy to lose motivation and struggle to get back into a learning routine once you've taken a break or hit a plateau. It's important to remember that focusing only on reaching goals can cause you to forget what brings you joy in the learning process.

There can be obstacles in language learning, such as a lack of immersion opportunities or confusing information. Some learning materials may prioritize high-level grammar over everyday speech, or courses may teach vocabulary that is not commonly used. Additionally, standard language teaching can be focused on writing conventions, which can lead to frustration when trying to understand spoken Irish in different dialects. Finding resources and materials for immersion can also be challenging, as larger languages often have many more available resources compared to minoritized ones.

It's important to find small pockets of time each day, even just 5 or 10 minutes, to dedicate to language learning. Finding passive ways to learn, like listening to the language, can be helpful. It's also crucial to set realistic goals to avoid disappointment and maintain motivation. Making mistakes is a natural part of the learning process, and embracing them helps strengthen memories and become more comfortable with conversation.

Keeping Motivated

Accountability is a powerful tool for staying motivated in language learning. Setting small, measurable, and actionable goals can help you stay on track. Adding rewards to your learning process can also help you maintain a routine. It's important to celebrate your achievements when you reach your monthly goals. Your reasons for learning and your goals may evolve as you improve your language skills. It's normal to face challenges and lose confidence along the way, but being aware of these dips and knowing how to boost your motivation can help you keep going. Reviewing your progress, reassessing your level periodically, and finding ways to incorporate the language into your daily life can all contribute to your language learning journey.

Taking breaks is also important for recharging your batteries and avoiding burnout. If you're struggling to stick to your routine or life gets in the way, it's okay to take a break. Doing something completely different, like reading a novel or trying a different language learning approach, can help break the monotony and make learning more enjoyable. Lowering your goals and expectations during busy times is acceptable, as long as you return to your language learning routine. Recording yourself speaking and listening back to identify areas of improvement, being specific about what you want to learn, and seeking help from someone who can correct your mistakes are all effective strategies.

Remember that every second you spend on language learning brings you closer to fluency, and making mistakes is a natural part of the learning process that helps you learn faster.

Routine Ideas

The following routine is something that I personally use most days. It isn’t something I really sat and planned, and I don’t do every step every day. It came from finding small ways that I can incorporate Irish into those brief downtimes in my day.

Rather than work, these are all ways that I have brought more joy to my daily life by using Irish. Finding the joy in the language is the only way to keep it in your life, and if you can find the joy you will never feel like learning is work.

Dónall's Daily Routine

Morning:	When I wake up, I think about how learning Irish enrichs my life, connects me to my ancestors, and my community.
Getting Ready:	While in the shower, use a pencil to write down sean-nós songs and post them on the shower wall. Practice memorizing them during my shower.
Breakfast:	Listen to Irish language radio (RnaG) in my dialect through a live stream or archived recordings.
Commute:	Practice reciting a poem or singing a song in Irish.I also listen to Irish language CDs or songs and join in.
Work Day:	Take notes during work meetings in Irish to keep the language in my mind throughout the day. During breaks, send Irish text messages to my friends.
Lunch Break:	Read a few pages from a book in Irish during my lunch break.
Washroom Breaks:	Keep a grammar book in the bathroom and learn a new grammar rule or concept while using the toilet.
Dinner:	Incorporate Irish words and phrases into my meal preparation. Watch an Irish language cartoon on Cúla4 while I eat.
Early Evening:	Read a few pages from a book in my desired dialect of Irish. Write down any unfamiliar words to review later during my shower-posting-learning.
Evening Entertainment:	Stream Irish language media through the TG4 player for my evening entertainment.
Bedtime:	Reflect on the new words, phrases, or cultural knowledge I have learned throughout the day. Appreciate the presence of Irish in my life and feel thankful for it.