Word of Mouth

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Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media

Series exploring the world of words and the ways in which we use them

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Word of Mouth: The Irish Language

The Irish Language

BBC Radio 4 - Word of Mouth, The Irish Language

What the Irish language tells us about the world

In conversation with Michael about his book "32 Words For Field" Manchán Magan reveals Ireland's deep connection with the landscape expressed through the Irish language.  The author traces his country's relationship with the natural world and its corresponding belief system that encompasses the 'otherworld'.   He lists many similarities between Irish and Sanskrit and even Arabic - suggesting a link between the ancient Islamic word Shamrakh and the Irish Seamróg (shamrock).  It's a fascinating discussion of a rich and poetic language that survives in traditional communities on the west coast and is being enthusiastically revived in the cities. Manchán also lists the many words that we use in English that have come from Irish and Scots Gaelic: words like 'bog' 'whisky' 'hooligan' and Tory.
We also learn a bit of Hiberno-English along the way.

Producer: Maggie Ayre for BBC Audio Bristol

A longer version of this programme is available on the podcast

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