I just got back from church and thought I would post some of the new terminology I've learned during my first week here. There are 2 main languages in Ireland - English, of course and Gaelic (or Irish as they call it here). The Irish language is one of the last surviving Celtic languages and is mostly spoken in the western counties, however all Irish school children must learn the native tongue and all signs are in both Irish and English.
The name of the church that Todd started here is called Ca'irde Christian Fellowship. Ca'irde is pronounced "kord-ja", and is an Irish word meaning "friends". Some Irish words are easy enough to figure out when you see them on the signs, but are pretty difficult to pronounce correctly unless you hear someone say it. For example the word Caislean (pronounced cash-LOIN) means "castle" and Oifig an Phoist (pronounced UFF-ig un fwisht) means "post office". A common Irish girls name at the camp I helped at last week was Niamh, which is pronounced "Neeve".
So I'm obviously much better off speaking English, but as some of you may know there is an entirely different terminology here - so some things mean something totally different than what I'm thinking it does and some words I've never heard before. A few of my favorites are below - the word used in Ireland is in bold and what it would mean in the States is on the right:
chips = french fries
crisps = potato chips
biscuits = cookies
chipper = fish & chips shop
cuppa = cup of tea (which is taken 3-5 times a day)
deadly = cool (this was a frequent word at camp with the kids, as in "that shot was deadly")
slag = make fun of (another camp word, as in "relax, I'm only slaggin ya")
messer = trouble-maker (keep an eye on that kid, he's a real messer")
minerals = soda
garden = backyard
Gotta run - I've been roped into playing in a softball game this afternoon! Looking forward to camp next week and will post again in a few days.
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Hey Slugger,
ReplyDeleteAh the fine memories you are bringing back to my mind. It reminds me of that English culture and my time in New Zealand. Do they put milk in the hot tea there? Is cream actually whipped cream? If so on both of those, here's a suggestion - don't ask for cream in your tea - they'll look really weird at you, trust me I tried it.
So any rugby YET? Oh please, please, please. Tell me God has been leading you away from that silly ball in the hoop game and on to bigger and better man sports.
One week to go. We will be praying for you. And you'll be back in time for some great HOT weather in the Y. The A/C is still out - gesh, it's been hot. Maybe you can see if they can use you for one more week down there?
Alright mate, talk with you soon.
Pastor John
Yeah, I found that milk must go in the hot tea, but sugar is optional. Haven't asked for cream yet so thanks for the heads up!
ReplyDeleteI had my first "99" yesterday - which is an ice cream cone that taste much creamier with a bar of chocolate stuck in the middle. I asked why it was called a 99 and it's because it used to cost £0.99 - it cost me 1.70 euro (about $3.00)!!!
Haven't seen any rugby yet, just gaelic football which is similar to australian rules football. Dublin just won a big match yesterday so the city was going crazy. I did see an All Blacks jersey in one of the shops though!
Dax,
ReplyDeleteGlad to know that a "chipper" is seen as a place instead of a silly nickname for someone on a long road trip.
It sounds like the camp provides quite an outlet for the kids active side, do the kids play any other games (besides rugby), outside of this camp, that aren't an organized sport? What do some occupy themselves with while at home? It sounds like some don't have an outlet for their lives at home, so I was wondering.
It's great that you will miss the connections you have built, it is so hard to say goodbye to the youth when you know what lies ahead for some of them after they are out of your influence. But, the Lord will continue to be an influence in their lives, because He is "there" all the time and what you have shared with them.
Oh yeah, can you pack some of those 99s in your bags? We can have them at the cafe on Sunday, it was uncomfortable enough in the Y John provided bottled water on ice for people during the service. But imagine how many more people we would have if we had ice cream after church?
Robert