Ag Foghlaim Gaeilge – Learning Irish

Learning Irish isn’t something I’ve always wanted to do, but it’s something that I always wished I had’ve done. Instead of saying “I want to speak Irish”, it was “I wish I could speak Irish”. As if learning it wasn’t an option. I was only 23, but still used age an excuse, saying, “I should’ve kept it up at school – it’s way harder to learn a language when you’re older” (despite not trying).

But then,in March, my 84 year-old granny did her Gold Fáinne oral exam (passing it means that you’re like A-Level standard at conversational Irish). After 13 years of teaching herself Irish – without apps or the internet – she did something she always wanted to do: she got her Gold Fáinne. Isn’t that class? So, I thought, you know what? If my granny can learn Irish from scratch aged 70, then I can pick mine back up from the wee bit I had at 23. So, I did.

I studied Irish for hours every day for like 5 months and yes, it was hard. I had multiple ‘episodes’, tantrums and periods of blatant confusion, which my ma (God love her) can attest to. But, I was finally learning it (and doing pretty well, if I do say so myself) and even if I didn’t know or understand as much as I wanted to, I still knew and understood a hell of a lot more than when I started. It was hard, but I had to remember not to compare myself to people like my ma who’s Líofa, or brother and sister who did Irish for A Level – but to compare myself to pre-March me.

And it’s not just me who uses age or opportunity as an excuse to not do something. Whether it’s doing yoga, dance classes, speaking a language, how to crotchet, bake meringues or sew; we’ve all said “I wish I knew how to do that” or “I wish I had’ve learned years ago”. But, why not start learning now? As shown by my granny (and me): you’re never too old and it’s never too late to start.

*Shoutout to my ma for marking several pages of my Irish every day, and putting up with me narrating my every move as Gaeilge.

Almost a year later, I’m still learning. I’m not doing hours of studying every day because Furlough ended (cry) so I’m back to working full-time. But one thing I’ve kept up religiously since day one is ag scríobh i mo chin lae (writing in my diary) every day in Irish.

I’m big into my journalling – as you might know. I think it’s such a positive activity to get into the habit of. I only started when COVID happened and I needed to focus on the positive things, since there were so many negative vibes about. I’ve done Positivity Journals, Happiness Planners and just writing about my day and how I felt.

Sa lá atá inniu ann (these days), I write about my day in Irish instead. It started off as me writing as Béarla [in English] and whacking in what few Irish words I knew – e.g: “After dinnéar, I went for a siúlóid around Musgrave” – which was tragic at the best of times. But, it’s funny to look back on, and nice to see how much I’ve learned since.

I also only learned one tense at a time, so there’s a solid month and a half where my dairy is written in present habitual tense. No “I went for a nice walk” – but “I go for a nice walk”. Even if I only did it something once, I could only write it as if it was my usual routine. Didn’t I say it was tragic?

Regardless of what language you write in, I think having a wee daily diary is really worthwhile. You can write about what all you did; how you’re feeling; what you want to achieve or do that day; or even start a gratitude one. It’s up to you. But, they’re actually really good for if you’re learning a language.

It encourages you to get into that language’s mind-frame and gets you practicing every day. It’s also a wee tracker of how much you know and how you’re improving, which is really handy for if you’re feeling frustrated and aren’t happy with your progress.

I just write about how my day was (gan Bearla ar bith [without any English]) – what I did, how I felt, good/bad things that happened and what I hope for tomorrow, even if it’s something as small as to codlach go maith [sleep well]. So, most days are pretty similar. But, journaling isn’t about how interesting it is to re-readsome day – it’s about having an outlet for your feelings and getting it all out there. And journaling when learning a language is just about switching that language mood ‘on’, learning new words that you’ll actually use and setting aside that wee bit of time every day to practice.

Tóg é as do cheann agus cuir ar an leathanach é, mo chara [Take ‘em out of your head and put ‘em on the page, my friend].

23 Going On 83

I’m coming to the realisation that I’m slowly becoming my granny. I don’t mean like medically because I’m getting older and she’s older; I mean like in the past year, so many things that I’ve started doing are things that she does. Things aren’t really typically associated with 23 year olds, shall we say.

Not that I’m complaining – my granny’s a geg, like. And I actually like my lifestyle (even if you think it’s questionable). I’m very content in my elderly ways.

Sleeping Pattern

I don’t know WHAT has happened my sleeping routine in the past year and a half, but I wake up every morning at like 6am. Not even my granny gets up that early. I don’t mean like 6am if I’m working; I mean 6am regardless of whether I’m working, off or on holiday (well, staycation). To be fair, I actually really like getting up early – like I get up, have breakfast, go for a walk and get a shower before anyone else wakes up, it’s class. And I just feel like I’ve so much more ~time~.

Do you think if I’m up and about from 6am that I’m gonna be awake past 10pm? Honey, no.  So, up at the crack of dawn and in bed before it’s even properly dark outside (in Summer, anyway) – check.

Learning Irish

Okay, so not a typical ‘granny’ trait, but I never said my granny was a typical 83 year old, did I?

Basically, my granny started teaching herself Irish when she was 70 – without the internet or apps might I add – and she recently got her Gold Fáinne, which means you’re a fluent Irish speaker. Isn’t that class?

I always wished I spoke Irish but made zero attempt to learn, and then I figured that you know what? If my granny can teach herself from scratch at 70, then I can pick up my ~very~ basic Irish after 10 years. So I did. Agus sílim go bhfuil mé ag déanamh go maith (má deirim é mo fhéin).

So, me and my granny are both learning Irish and ‘study’ it every day. I’m hoping that one day I’ll be more like her and have my Gold Fáinne, too (preferably before I’m 83).

Reading – a LOT

In lockdown last year, I discovered that I actually love reading. Who’d have thought?

Me and my granny both read loads. She gets her books from her local library, and I buy mine all second-hand online. But, guess who signed up for her library membership this week? Mise.

You can read books and eBooks for FREE (and without the dodgy PDF download sites) and you don’t have to worry about the clutter and space that buying the books takes up? You don’t have to sort them into ‘keep’ and ‘sell’ piles, then go on Ziffit or Music Magpie and send them back. Beautiful.

I don’t know why I never even considered joining the library before (although it being closed in the pandemic and me not reading pre-pandemic might be something to do it) – my granny was really on to something there.

Colouring In

I mean, are you really surprised I colour in? Don’t I just ~seem~ like the type?

I’ve like six colouring in books and I’m not even ashamed. I’ve probably got a lot more than my granny, and she’s the one who I first got the idea to try it from. The student has become the master.

Reading and colouring in pretty much got me through the first lockdown. Every day I sat for like an hour colouring in mandalas in the same pastel colours – either pink, yellow and green or purple, green, pink and blue – and it really helped me just switch off. Like, when you’re colouring in, you’re not even focussed on or thinking about anything apart from what colour to put where or staying inside the lines. Plus, it keeps you off your phone.

I’m moving onto my cacti and fruit books now, how FUN.

Tai Chi

Now, I’m not gonna lie, I haven’t actually started this yet, but I’ve downloaded the app and all, so like, I have intentions.

My granny’s done Tai Chi for years and years, like, and I never had any interest in it. But, I was reading a book and one of the characters started doing it so I took a notion. I was like; hmm I wonder if it’s any good for young(er) people? Quick Ecosia search and apparently it is. (The character started drawing and painting and all too, so I took a notion for that as well, but remembered I have 0 artistic ability).

So, I downloaded a wee app to give it a go. Apparently Tai Chi’s really good for your mental and physical health, and it’s not too intense or strenuous (read: no burpees), so like, why not? I’ve no idea if or when I’ll try it but I actually do want to. Ask me how it went and pressure me into it.

I know what you’re thinking: Library membership, colouring in, up at 6am and bed by 10pm, learning Irish and Tai Chi – wow isn’t she FUN?! You can see why I titled this ’23 going on 83′, like.

Then again, maybe I’m not turning into my granny. Maybe my granny’s turning into a 23 year old. I think that would suit both our self-esteems better.