If there is an ambiguous word for the Irish, it is paradoxically the appellations « Ireland » and « Irish », which depending on the circumstances refer to the country or to the island as a whole. With Ireland’s very special history, the proper name « Ireland » has an often-confusing reference even to the Irish themselves. An attentive ear andLire la suite « « Ireland » a concept in itself »
Archives de la catégorie : English
That little country will grow big
10 April 2021: Historic day for Ireland! Ireland is and remains a small country and it will stay that way in terms of size and number of inhabitants (just 5 million for the republic). But we are talking here about a small country that suddenly started playing in the big league. Indeed, while it wasLire la suite « That little country will grow big »
THIRD LEVEL
this is the name given to higher education. This responds to an implacable logic after the first level (primary) and second level (secondary). The results of the bac, the sacrosanct LEAVING CERTIFICATE or LEAVING CERT ’are not communicated until late, mid August. It is the results of the baccalaureate and not the academic record thatLire la suite « THIRD LEVEL »
Alcohol
The subject would be almost funny if he weren’t really hypocritical .. complete ban on drinking alcohol before you turn 18. But this is all the more hypocritical as one then expects a young « adult » not only to consume it, but to consume a lot of it! It’s going from zero to 100 in aLire la suite « Alcohol »
The first name « Kevin »
Depending on the country, the same first name can have a strong connotation, or not at all on the contrary. We have a nice illustration of this phenomenon with the first name « Kevin ». As much as the name Kevin can be connoted, “working class » or even “beauf” (kind of vulgar) in France, it has absolutelyLire la suite « The first name « Kevin » »
AWARD WINNING
Ireland has its own way of promoting its products: displaying them as award-winning. As I find this phenomenon really fascinating, I have started a collection of pictures: in almost every supermarket, you will find products marked « award winning ». It is not always clear which institute, fair or committee awarded the famous « prize », but the pointLire la suite « AWARD WINNING »
CIVILITIES
The Irish are nice. I would even say: they forgot how to be mean! In Ireland, Say farewell to daily incivilities, to this French aggressivity that we are regularly confronted with in France in public transportation or in stores. You’re looking for your way in Ireland? Somebody will always stop to take the time toLire la suite « CIVILITIES »
English and Irish words and expressions for non native-speakers
WET PUB This is a pub that serves drinks only, nothing to eat. This used to be a very important in pre-covid Ireland, the problem being that they have been under much stronger restrictions since the start of the pandemic. NICE TRY! One of my favorite Anglo-Saxon expressions. It is often used mockingly, but alsoLire la suite « English and Irish words and expressions for non native-speakers »
ALARMS
Ahhh the alarms in Ireland, quite a poem !!As soon as you arrive in a somewhat residential area, without necessarily being very wealthy, all the houses have house alarms and it is posted. A word of advice: if your house does not have one in an area where everybody else has one, put one in,Lire la suite « ALARMS »
HOUSING
Ici le propriétaire d’un logement s’appelle le « landlord » et le locataire le « tenant ». La terminologie qui renvoie à une notion contractuelle en France (propriétaire/locataire) nous renvoie en Irlande à un lien quasiment féodal.
Cahiers d'Irlande 