GO mBEANNAÍ Dia daoibh, and a big welcome to the Bluffer’s Guide to Irish whether you are a Mills and Boon fan or know Marcel Proust’s A la recherche du temps perdu off by heart.
Yes, we are talking about leabhair - books today folks and what you like and don’t like.
That is presuming you read books.
Léim is I read so ní léim is I don’t read.
Ní léim ar chor ar bith - I don’t read at all is what may people will tell you, especially younger people.
On trains or long bus journeys, is dócha ná a mhalairt - it’s more than likely that people will be engrossed in their gutháin phóca - mobile phones than in a book.
What was the last book you read, dear readers?
Are you still lining Dan Brown’s pockets? Are you laughing your leg off to Marian Keyes’ The Break? Are you enthralled by Seamus Heaney’s 100 Poems?
Despite constant rumours of its imminent demise, the printed book is still with us and, buíochas le Dia - thank God for that.
There are books that have huge impact on people’s lives such as religious texts like An Bíobla - the Bible or the Koran or the Talmud.
But there are many others others, from The Diary of Ann Frank to Maya Angelou’s I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings or Richard Bach and Russell Munson’s Jonathan Livingston Seagull.
What book has had the biggest impact on your life?
“Chuaigh X go mór i bhfeidhm orm” - “X had a big effect on me is what you would say with the title there instead of X, of course.
Entrepreneurs might say d’imir Meon Gaelach Aigne Nuálaíochtionchar mór orm - Meon Gaelach Aigne Nuálaíoch really influenced me.
(It’s a book by Fionnbarra Ó Brolcháin which argues that “tradition, language, pride in heritage and individuality are natural resources if used properly.”)
Irish speakers – those who could be bothered to read a book in Irish would be inspired by the works of Alan Titley or Liam Mac Cóil or Biddy Jenkinson.
There is an increasing number of books in Irish too for young people and young adults and the Bluffer has always believed that one crucial job for parents is to instill a love of léitheoireacht - reading in their children.
The well-known educationalist Sir Ken Robinson has shown in his wonderful Ted Talk that samhlaíocht - imagination and cruthaitheacht - creativity are being killed in schools when they should be fostered and encouraged.
In the words of Dr. Seuss” “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”
Ar an aimsir seo - nowadays, the Bluffer has got used to reading his books ar líne - on line or on his kindle. It means he can take a whole leabharlann - library with him on the bus or train to while away the time.
I know ní thaitníonn ríomhleabhair le gach duine - not everybody enjoys e-books but the Bluffer find them invaluable although he also like the feel and the especial experience of reading real books, whether it’s War and Peace or The Gruffalo or Mo Bhealach Féin.
Hopefully, this wee article will send you heading down to your local library to find out what wonders it has in store.
CÚPLA FOCAL
leabhair(lyore) - books
léim(layim) - I read
ní léim(nee layim) - I don’t read
Ní léim ar chor ar bith(nee layim er khor ar bee) - I don’t read at all
is dócha ná a mhalairt(iss dawkha naa a walirtch) - it’s more than likely
gutháin phóca(goohaan foca) - mobile phones
buíochas le Dia (bweeakhiss le jeea) - thank God
An Bíobla(un beebla) - the Bible
Chuaigh X go mór i bhfeidhm orm”(khooee X gaw more i vime orim) - X had a big effect on me
d’imir Meon Gaelach Aigne Nuálaíochtionchar mór orm(jimir myone gaylick, iygna nooaaleeokh chunaher more orim) - Meon Gaelach Aigne Nuálaíoch had a big influence on me
samhlaíocht(saowleeakht)- imagination
cruthaitheacht(crooheehakht) - creativity
Ar an aimsir seo(er un iymsher shaw) - nowadays
ar líne (er leena) - on line
leabharlann (lorelaan) - library
ní thaitníonn ríomhleabhair le gach duine (nee hatneean reeoolyore le gakh dinya) - not everyone enjoys e-books
