Patrick James

It took me a little while to take to RTE’s “In the Name of the Fada” which sees American comedian Des Bishop in a bid to become a fluent Irish speaker. Last nights show, featured him returning to America to see what the reactions to his new found language would be… Following the show I was filled with several emotions. I felt hope for the language but most of all I felt ashamed… ashamed of myself. You see, my school days, tried to knock out of me, any passion I would have had for the Irish language. Don’t get me wrong, I still have a love of the language and while I would understand a good bit of Irish, I feel my standard is not what it should be! I can comfortably listen to Irish conversations and follow what’s being said, when I try to speak ‘as Gaeilge’ I clam up and become tongue-tied… Something I’ve never overcome.

What struck me most about Des Bishops visit to America was one particular Korean gentleman he met on his journey. It was amazing: The man in question, who had never been to Ireland, was conversing in fluent Irish. It put me in mind of a recent post on Maria Horan in which she discusses the future of Irish and foreign speakers of the language. The Korean man was case-in-point! I was filled with great pride also… just to see the reach our wondeful language has and the effect it has on people!

Like so many people I have allowed my own personal history to impede my ability to speak what is my ‘native tongue’ – something I am ashamed of… Something that I intend to change! I now intend to begin my own journey to recapture my ability to speak ‘as Gaeilge’… and be proud of the heritage as oppossed to afraid!