Go mbeannaí Dia daoibh agus bhur gcéad fáilte isteach chuig The Bluffer’s Guide to Irish.
Well, this is the time of year when Irish classes are up and running again after those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer - not - so if you are shy and want a friend to accompany you, you’ll need to know how to invite people to do things with you whether it’s to go to Mass or on a hot date. Or to Mass followed by a hot date - gotta move with the times.
So how do you ask someone to go somewhere with you.
Seo, tá mé ag dul go dtí an siopa. An mbeidh tú liom? - here, I’m going to the shop. Will you come with me? or tá mé ag dul go Doire. An dtiocfaidh tú liom? I’m going to Derry. Will you come with me?
Another good phrase to know is ar mhiste leat - would you mind as in ar mhiste leat teacht chuig na ranganna Gaeilge liom?
Would you mind coming to the Irish classes with me?
Of course, they would be delighted to accompany you on your journey into the fun and fantastic world of the Irish language.
That said, you will have to arrange where to meet.
Buailfidh mé leat ag bun na sráide - I’ll meet you at the bottom of the street or you could say fan liom taobh amuigh - meet me outside.
So, no excuses. You’ve got a mate to accompany you to one of the Irish classes that are happening all over the place.
No matter where you choose, you will find a welcoming atmmosphere, lots of people like yourself to help you along the path to becoming a fully-fledged Gaeilgeoir.
Down the line, you’ve been learning Irish for a few weeks and you’ve noticed that another learner, almost as attractive as yourself, has been giving you the glad eye as you fly through your vocabulary with ease while you like the cut of his/her irregular verbs.
Your eyes meet as you pick up the fallen copy of Progress in Irish and you blurt out ar mhaith leat dul amach fá choinne caife? - Do you fancy going out for a coffee?
There is a pause and you wonder if they are going to correct your Irish or slap you across the face but inste ad there is a shy smile and “ba mhaith” - I would is the answer.
So, after having a nice mocha and a skinny latte, you might feel like chancing your arm and say Téimis chuig an phictiúrlann - let’s go to the pictures.
Now, the answer might be maith go leor - okay or it might be negative. The modern version of “I’m washing my hair” is tá barraíocht oibre le déanamh agam - I’ve too much work to do as we all seem to be working all hours to pay for cappuccinos and 55” plasma TVs.
But going out is something we all need to do. Learning Irish is the door to other activities from new friendships made and other activities from coffee mornings to cycling clubs to trips to the Gaeltacht, and then there is the whole related world of Irish music and song, drama. books and all manner of enjoyable activities that are opened up by having an interest in Irish.
Keep an eye out for classes near you.
CÚPLA FOCAL
Seo, tá mé ag dul go dtí an siopa. An mbeidh tú liom? - (shaw, taa may eg dul gaw jee un shuppa. Un may too lum) - here, I’m going to the shop. Will you come with me?
Tá mé ag dul go Doire. An dtiocfaidh tú liom? - (taa may eg gul gaw dirra. un juckey too lum) - I’m going to Derry. Will you come with me?
ar mhiste leat (er vishta lat) - would you mind
ar mhiste leat teacht chuig na ranganna Gaeilge liom? (er vishta lat chaht hig na rangana gayllicka lum) - would you mind coming to the Irish classes with me
Buailfidh mé leat ag bun na sráide (booilhee may lat eg bun na sriyja) - I’ll meet you at the bottom of the street
fan liom taobh amuigh (fan lum teev amwee) - wait for me outside
ar mhaith leat dul amach fá choinne caife?(er why lat gul amakh fa khunya caafay) - Do you fancy going out for a coffee?
ba mhaith (ba why) - I would
téimis chuig an phictiúrlann (chayamish hig un fictoorlaan) - let’s go to the pictures
maith go leor (my gaw lore) - okay
tá barraíocht oibre le déanamh agam(taa barreeakht ibra le janoo ugum) - I’ve too much work to do