The Other English

We thought we'd have to wait until we were in Norway or Sweden, maybe France to be entrenched in a culture that spoke another language. 

Don't ye know, Ireland has two official languages:  Irish (Gaelic) and English.  Sometimes, people use a combination of the two.

Here are a few of our Gaelic favorites that we've heard:
Cobh = Pronounced Cove; A town close to Crosshaven
Youghl = Pronounced Yawl; A town close to Crosshaven
Slan = Bye or Cheers
Slan abhaile = Pronounced slan awallya; Safe home or Have a safe trip
Go Mall = slow down
Tog bog e = please go slow
Baile Átha Cliath = Dublin
Lough = Pronounced lock; A lake
Bruscar = Trash can

Even when the Irish are speaking English sometimes it can be hard to know completely what is being said.  Quite often, there are idioms that are being expressed that will take us a minute to understand and respond.  A couple that we heard were:

> If the sun were out, we'd all be flyin' = Could you imagine if the sun was shining?
> How ye keeping'? = How are you?

Even when we arrived in the UK, there was an adjustment period where we might not understand what the other person was saying, and worse, they might not understand us and don't you know we were all speaking English.

The most common translations for us:
You alright? = Would you like to order something in the bar?
Half Twelve = 12:30
Granary or bleached? = Which type of bread would you like - wheat or white?
Car Park = Parking Lot
Lorry Park = Truck parking (o'carse)
Squibbly/scribbly = Signature, as in "Can I get your scribbly on this receipt please?"
Chips = French fries
Crisps = potato chips
Bonnet = hood of the car
Boot = trunk of the car
You’re having me on = you’re kidding with me

Baxter and I even find ourselves using a couple of these now and again.  It is fun to fully embrace the culture, even if it's technically the same language you thought you knew.