Ná bí ag magadh faoi mo Segway.

Mo Shegway. Pronounced Hegway.

I know you might be joking but just FYI: No, because the rules don’t apply to non-Irish names. If there’s a translation you could use it, but I doubt there’s an Irish for Stig!

“Tabharfaidh mé aire do na pointí píonóis sin.”

Point? p?on?is? Ara n? bac faoi a Mhing. Scriosfaidh m? iad duit.

An bhfuil se ceart go leor nuair a usaideann mo dhuine sa ghaeltacht “bhi me ar mo bhicycle”

Ní de réir an chaighdeáin ach is beag duine a labhraíonn Gaeilge chaighdeánach chruinn ar aon chaoi. Is breá liom freisin ‘black pudding bán’ a chloisteáil.

I should clarify that I mean the Garda would be undermined if the person was deliberately trying to put off the Garda by speaking Irish, not that they shouldn’t attempt conversation as Gaeilge at all. Nothing wrong with finding out if the Garda has Irish.
For example if the Garda had pulled over a driver for a driving offence and the driver began to speak Irish as a defence tactic rather than just because they were a passionate Gaelgoir.

Very well said. Two excellent posts.

Well said Donal.
I’d have a slightly different take on the approach to dealing with someone who wishes (smart arse or not) to speak in Irish.
The only phrase needed is “please wait here while I get a colleague who speaks Irish”.
It would not take much to man a 24/7 Irish speaking central phone line available for any Garda to call and use, over their radio, to communicate through.

I’m not the biggest advocate of the Irish language but if a Garda “should” be able to speak to you about how you “should” have taxed and NCT’d your car 2 years ago, then by not having the capability to do so, they are setting double standards.

Thank you Mike and “I Don’t Mind”. Very interesting idea regarding having a fluent Irish speaker at the end of the line, but it could be difficult in practice as it’s the Garda on the scene who has something to say. However a phone line would be ideal for those members of the public who wish to make contact with Gardaí about something through the medium of Irish. On the spot what the Garda says goes,regardless of language.

“Tar amach as an charr.”

Amy, there’s no suggestion that Gardaí stop speaking English so I don’t know how it would come about that “and if they were to speak Irish to a person, neither party would be able to respond.”

I know the Gardaí aren’t going to stop speaking English, I didn’t mean to give that idea across.

What I meant is if a Garda starts speaking some of these sayings to a person they meet, then there is a good chance that that person won’t have a clue what the Garda is saying to them. But, if the person does understand and can answer them, then the Garda won’t be able to respond because all the Garda has learnt is that one phrase.

Tá an dlí sáraithe agat, agus caithfear tú a ghabháil. Is cuma liom cén teanga atá uait, seo’d í an teanga atá mé ag labhairt agus tá tú ag dul síos go dtí an stáisiún.

Tourism would increase and it would strengthen our national identity.

Because when a guy uses his native language, he’ll no longer be slapped in handcuffs and arrested for it. I use the Irish language daily – I’m as concerned as anyone else about wasteful spending. But the xenophobia towards Irish language speakers in Ireland is truly horrible. Spending on Irish language provisions are attacked because nobody apparently uses them, but when we do try to use them – We’re told to use English. There’s no winning.

We have a right to use our language in our country. You don’t see this carry on in Wales.

Why should state bodies like the gardai be forced into using Irish?

-Er, because Irish is the official STATE LANGUAGE? Now if you want to change the constitution that’s a different issue, but as the law stand if I or anyone else wants to talk Irish to a State official we should be able to.

“Tá brón orainn, tá an stáisiún sin dúnta”

My hat is off to you Sean, fair play.

Sean the example of the person being arrested is someone who could speak English and chose not too. He/she chose to be a smart arse. He knew the Garda couldn’t speak Irish but decided that instead of being cooperative and speaking in a language they had in common, he would only communicate in Irish. I’d imagine most decent Irish speakers would have addressed the Garda in English when realising he/she wasn’t an Irish speaker. Gardai have a tough enough job as it is without trying to embarrass them because they can’t speak a language that the majority of Irish people are unable to converse in.

“Sean the example of the person being arrested is someone who could speak English and chose not too.”

All Irish speakers can speak English. I’m glad you used the word “chose”. Yes, it is a choice. And sometimes, I choose to use the Irish language with public services. Does that make me a smart-arse? If I choose to use the Irish language with the Gardaí (one of the constitutionally recognised languages of the state) – I should be arrested for it? That’s the apt punishment?

The idea that someone is automatically a smart-arse because they opt to use the Irish language is mind-boggling. How about – We use it because we’re legally entitled to do so, and it is our language? Or does that not fit your narrative?

No he meant your a smart arse as you think guards go around beating people for the sake of it and if you speak irish you will be treated like royalty. Your attitude sir is appalling. One would hope you dont pass your hate onto next generation.

@bobby I believe your first sentence contradicts your argument.

Its a free country but trying to force Irish down peoples throats didnt work 50 years ago and wont work now, unless its spoken naturally from the cradle like English, its a complete and utter waste of time and money having to duplicate everything twice.

You mean to say it’s perfectly fine to force English on Irish speakers, but it’s not ok to force Irish on English speakers. The fact is that Irish is a minor inconvenience for the majority of those who wish to speak English. English however is not just an inconvenience to those who wish to speak Irish – it’s a major threatening obstacle. Those opposed to Irish love to put out the line that us Irish speakers can speak Irish whenever we want and in the same stroke put up every single damned obstacle to prevent us from doing so. It’s nothing less than linguacide.

The only irish u need to know is tiocfaidh ar la my amigo

But I use as many services as possible through Irish, simply because it makes me feel more comfortable. So what does your recommendation mean for me?

Less useful than Latin, especially if you want to be Pope or RTE Vatican correspondent.

No jimmy Russian or polish are not official languages in Ireland. But I knew a moron like you would suggest it…

Your reply to my Question was to be expected from an Amadán such as yourself Tom

Pointless comment.

I just wish some people learned to speak English.

Are you trying to say – “An cur amú ama í foghlaim na Gaeilge? Is fuath liom an teanga. Tá súil agam go bhfaighfidh sí bás?”

Thank you for your translations. :-)
I do hate the Irish language and so many people love it. It’s amazing a language can be so polarising and emotive. People seem to love it or hate it. People seem to either want it scrapped or want it compulsory. English is the global language. My great-grandparents spoke English. I don’t feel connected to Irish. Being forced to learn Irish feels wrong to me.
Forcing Gardai and Nurses and lawyers to speak it feels wrong to me too.

I understand where you’re coming from, however I don’t believe anyone is trying to making Gaeilge compulsory, what is being asked is that constitutional rights are upheld. This, at the very least, translates to conversational ability, not outright fluency across the board. Tá Garda Suíochána are there to protect all the citizens of this island – from the D4 businessman to the elderly lady from Kerry, and the official languages of the land should be accomadated.

*accommodated.

Bowden?? English surname yeah?