Cad é an focal…? Twitter account teaches the world the cúpla focal

17 Mar 2016

It’s St Patrick’s Day, and the end of Seachtain na Gaeilge. But it’s not the end of the Irish language. Just ask Twitter account The Irish For…

On St Patrick’s Day, the entire world is a little bit Irish. How great would it be, though, if the entire world could speak a little Irish. (Answer: it would be very great, if a little confusing.)

The bewilderingly over-a-fortnight-long Seachtain na Gaeilge goes some way towards spreading the Irish language, and towards reminding us all that behind hated lessons in the modh coinníollach, our mother tongue is actually quite beautiful.

But Seachtain na Gaeilge is just half a month long. The Irish For… runs year ‘round.

Lovingly curated by @Daracho, the account aims to imbue all of our lives with just a few more of the cúpla focal.

The account is informative, of course, but it’s also charming. This isn’t just ripping a page out of the Irish-English dictionary (you can get that from other accounts) – this has humour, gifs, occasional sass and, most importantly, passion.

Take a look at some of the account’s recent stellar tweets and embrace your Irish heritage, however tenuous.

'Chuir na cránta chuige 'na mhála i bhfocair na ngandal' – he bagged the geese as well as the ganders. ? #SnaG2016 pic.twitter.com/cUr8qXwFF3

— The Irish For… (@theirishfor) March 14, 2016

An alternative in Irish to 'as plain as the nose on your face' is 'chomh soiléir le cac ar do léine' (as obvious as shite on your shirt).??

— The Irish For… (@theirishfor) March 7, 2016

'Chomh neamhnaofa le doras tigh ósta i nGaillimh' means 'as unholy as the door of a hostelry in Galway'. ??

— The Irish For… (@theirishfor) March 10, 2016

A 'míolachán' is a venomous animal, or a person with similar characteristics to such a beast. https://t.co/OujlZXnGNJ

— The Irish For… (@theirishfor) March 13, 2016

A 'lodán' is a stagnant puddle. A nicer puddle would get to be called a 'locháinín', which translates (approximately) as tiny lake.

— The Irish For… (@theirishfor) March 11, 2016

'Lochlannach' (the Irish word for Viking) should not be confused with 'lachnach' (an adjective to describe a place with many ducks).

— The Irish For… (@theirishfor) March 15, 2016

The recherche word 'cannabhar' doesn't mean cannabis; it means bits of seaweed on a beach. A wholly different weed.

— The Irish For… (@theirishfor) March 1, 2016

'Bataireacht' translates as stick-fighting in English. pic.twitter.com/sFjyM2O1wW

— The Irish For… (@theirishfor) March 16, 2016

You'll be glad to know that the 1956 foclóir gives a translation for "well, I'm jiggered!"

It's 'diabhal an féidir!' in Irish.

— The Irish For… (@theirishfor) March 3, 2016

'Aoileach' is an Irish word for dung or manure- not to be confused with 'aioli', which is a notiony garlic mayonnaise. ?

— The Irish For… (@theirishfor) March 4, 2016

'Faoiltighearna' (f-whale-tear-na) is an Irish girlname from yesteryear; the literal translation is wolf lady. YA authors, take note! ??

— The Irish For… (@theirishfor) March 5, 2016