How to survive linguistically in Ireland? Do you need to speak Irish or is English enough? When you are in Ireland, you will hear from people who speak Irish. Occasionally, at least. Because less than one percent of the population actually uses the “native language” on a day-to-day basis. So how do people communicate in daily life? Good in English. But: Most Irish people use the ‘Irish vernacular’, a local version of English, often called Hiberno-English (although this might be too academic a term).
Influenced by tradition, history, local idioms, and the Irish language. And sometimes very confusing for the visitor. Be careful! To help you along with Irish idioms in everyday use, here are some examples of what you may find:
Are you okay?
This is the universal greeting of the sales assistant or bartender. He or she is absolutely not interested in your health or well-being. The phrase translates to “I am ready to serve you, what is your wish?” The correct answer is to place your request, not to detail your ailments. Note that the phrase can be uttered in a tone of voice such that “How dare you bother me?” it could be a valid translation too.
Blow-In
A stranger or foreigner, basically anyone whose ancestors have not lived in the sight of the parish church for at least ten generations.
Come here to me!
If the person saying this is already by your side, you may feel that the concept of personal space is unknown in Ireland. Don’t worry, the phrase simply means “listen.”
Bed
An abbreviation for ‘agricultural’ and it refers to anyone born and raised outside of Ireland’s few cities. Or outside of Dublin.
Mortal
In everyday conversation, this means “very good,” as in a deadly buzz (roughly “a good time”).
Feck
This universal qualification of anything (“the yoke your man gave me”) is neither positive nor negative, it just is. This Zen quality can disappear quickly, in which case the “e” is usually replaced by a “u.” Expect to hear the f-word more often in a short, seemingly normal conversation than in a Tarantino movie.
Good man yourself!
A phrase that denotes agreement or appreciation and a little respect. It is also used as a kind of no-sequitur response to the ubiquitous greeting “Okay?” (short for “How are you?”, see below).
Hole in the wall
Unless specifically referring to the longest pub in Ireland, this phrase denotes an ATM.
How are you?
Unless the person asking is a doctor, nurse, or paramedic, this simply means “Hello!” Don’t start long sentences. Just respond with the same phrase or the common “And yourself?”
Jeanie Mac!
An expression more or less equivalent to the fairly common formula “Jesus, Mary, Joseph and all the Holy Martyrs!”, Avoiding taking the name of the Lord in vain.
Knacker
Usually this word describes a member of the traveling community. Not like “on vacation,” but like “living in a caravan by the road.” It is definitely insulting.
Partner
A sandwich and a good example of the tendency (mainly from Dublin) to let words mutate into something that ends with ‘or’. Up to and including crimbo : Christmas for you and me.
Shinner
A derogatory term for Republicans and Nationalists, specifically Sinn Fein members and supporters.
Skanger
Comprehensive description of young Irishmen cultivating a certain look. The men will sport near-shaven heads, tracksuits, trainers, baseball caps, and gold chains around their necks. Women go for long hair, huge hoop earrings, a bare torso, and a push-up bra.
Kissing
Long kisses, also known (especially in Dublin) as changeable .
Soft Old Day
The Irish way of avoiding any mention of bad weather, even with ten gales coming down hard, will still be ‘a mild old day’ (at least in the pub). It’s an Irish weather thing …
Of course
Even if pronounced with the utmost conviction, this will always remain interpretable as meaning only “within the realms of possibility” (see also “Yes” and “No” below).
Take care of yourself!
This usually means “Goodbye,” unless a stranger yells it in your direction. In which case, it can be taken literally or goodbye.
Take the weight off your legs
It is not a subtle suggestion to read about diets, but simply the offer to sit down.
West-Brit
A derogatory term for any Irish citizen overly obsessed with British culture, traditions or political opinions.
What is the leisure offer?
This does not refer to ceol agus craic but simply translates as “Any news?” or simply “Hello!”
Woah?
This almost universally heard word, which lasts at least two seconds, roughly translates to “Excuse me, I misunderstood, could you repeat what you just said?”
Your man or woman
Denotes a person whose name is unknown (or cannot currently be remembered) but whose identity is assumed to be known to all. It could lead to exchanges as fun as
Didn’t I see you in town yesterday?
“That wasn’t him, that was the other …”
Yes and no
The Irishman does not really have a definite “yes”, nor a definite “no”. This explains the abhorrence with which the use of these words is treated. They are avoided as much as possible. Only if a clear answer is pressed could it be given, the implication always being that both “yes” and “no” are in a state of flux and synonymous with “well, maybe, we’ll see.”
Yugo
A mechanical implement or another, anything from a shovel to a nuclear device.
Any description of distances, directions and time
The »Irish Mile» is very flexible. And time is fluid. While you can expect to walk three to four miles at home, this will not apply in Ireland. Especially if you have to trust the instructions given by the locals. They can minimize the distance to avoid discouraging walkers, send the same walkers on the ‘scenic route’, or give helpful clues like ‘turn left where the dog usually sits’. Get a map.
Finally an important note: take all of the above explanations with a little grain of salt!
