Interview with Teifeach

Interviewed February 2008. Teifeach has been a forum member since 2005. You can discuss this interview on the forum.

Who is Teifeach?

Hello my name is Alan Clifford and i was born and raised in Derry, Northern Ireland. I am 45 and have been married for 25 years and have two children, boy 14 and a girl 21. Things went well at first at school till i reached Secondary level at "12" and suddenly i lost all interest in learning. I guess even then i recognised i did not want to be taught this kind of education that was far removed from Irish culture. So i more or less switched off and attended as little as possible till i was able to leave and find work and settle down. In some ways i have regretted that ever since, but in other ways i don’t accept the blame as i am now of the opinion as it was in a way a kind of brain washing.

So, what’s your connection to the Irish language? Are you involved with other Irish language groups, apart from IrishGaelicTranslator.com?

I have joined a few other language groups on line, but rarely visit them, but i do like the Progress in Irish and First steps in Irish sites. My connection is that i was born and raised in Ireland yet until i was about 40 i had never been taught a single word or me and the Irish language had barely been acquainted in any way. Weird to think that now as i look at how much Irish there is all around me with News, books, daily newspapers, television, Classes etc available and a Gaeltacht almost on my doorstep. It is now my Passion.

What has been your path of learning Irish?

I became unemployed in 1998 and with my mortgage almost paid and my kids mostly grown, i decided to myself unconsciously to take time out for me as i had worked since i left school in a shirt factory and a denim jeans factory (Lee apparel) and do what something for myself. So i pursued a few courses connected with music as that was my passion then i.e. sound recording, song writing, etc. which i really enjoyed. Then about February of 2001 i saw a notice in a window for Irish classes, so i put the number in my cell phone and after a while i contacted An Gaeláras to be honest i just thought this would be another course for about a year and then back to finding a job lol. I had only missed the first week and was worried i wouldn’t catch up as the classes lasted two hours from Mon- Fri, and the classes were also free. I quickly realised how hard it was but yet fun and soon feel in love with the language. As you can imagine with that amount of classes i did learn a lot and quickly, mainly because our teacher Toirealach was first class, firstly at taking it easy till we were all hooked and then with great lessons on a daily basis. I soon decided i would like to do more with my Irish and attended other classes wherever i could find them in Derry, i also attended excellent classes in Cumann Gaelach Chnoc na Rós Doire. My reason for doing this was to widen my Irish circle of friends who spoke Irish, and it worked. I met many people who had been learning Irish for years, yet did not know what level of Irish they had , so i decided to do exams (a pet hate of mine at the time, and still is). At this stage i was doing about 16 hours of classes not to mention the homework’s and whatever else i choose to attend or listen to. So i did GCSE and got an A*and then the following year did AS & A2 together which usually takes two years so i found that tough and a higher level compared to the GCSE ,but i passed anyways. I then took on the two year Diploma and passed with commendation. I am now looking back, and still not a big fan of the way the Irish is taught, but what else do we have?

I bought and used all the usual books that have been discussed on here yet i believe there is No holy grail, buy one good Book and get your nose stuck into it as often as you can. I am happy with where i am now apart from the fact that my writing and spelling skills need some serious attention.

Do you see your Irish skills improving in the future?

The simple answer is yes, as i feel learning Irish is like a pilot clocking up air miles, in as much as you should take every chance you get to read, listen, write and especially speak Irish as it all clocks up to the fluency you will achieve no matter how repetitive or boring or no matter what level of class you are in.

I want to start learning Irish. Where do I begin??

If possible with a class, if a few are available then attend them all and stick with the one’s you like the best and make friends with your class mates and socialise as best as you can with them. If not sites like this are fantastic and check out the reviews on best products to buy and use as there are a lot available , but they may not suit you and only dishearten you. I have found that people love to help other learners as they know what it is like and have already been through what you are going through. In many cases i have seen almost fluent speakers explaining in fine detail to beginners to help them along. So just ask!!! And remember there is no such thing as a stupid question. Easyreader is another tool i would recommend as its really easy to use once downloaded and the help that you are given if you have a problem is first class.

Do you have any other tips for people interested in learning Irish?

Practice a little every day, reading, writing, listening, speaking if only for 15 minutes and then extend it to 30 minutes etc. I can only say that this works 99.9% of the time and it would be true to say from my experience, as having attended a lot of classes and courses that it shows in the classes that i teach and the classes i attend when someone is doing this very simple act. That’s the best advice i can give “Practice Daily”

Apart from Irish, what other hobbies or interests do you have?

Music, i am a guitarist and have played pop music in pubs for years up until about 2000 and now with listening to RnaG and watching TG4 and attending courses and sessions i have acquired a liking for traditional music, but find it hard to play even though the chord structures can be quite simple, its all in the Listening and i am relatively new to it. But i will still go along to sessions and follow the other guitar player or if none is there i play lowly in the background, which is ok as i know the people playing ag the sessions and they understand. I am learning the Bodhrán and Tin Whistle (Raglan road & I’ll tell me ma #at the moment) which is great fun, but slow work lol, especially for my teacher lol

What advice do you have for adult learners of Irish? (Méabh)

Go along to your nearest available class , and i Promise you that they will Welcome you with open arms and a cup of tea lol , it is never too late to learn , i myself did no exams at school , and at the age of 40 started on my trail of Irish exams , now i teach and am working as a part time classroom assistant through Irish , something that i am very Proud of. Just remember there is no hurry either, you will learn what you will learn in your own sweet time , and please enjoy and dont presure yourself , but at the same time keep moving foward no matter how many set backs you come across and for my second Promise to you " It will be worth it in the end"

How important is it that people who went to school in your era try to overcome the bitterness they have towards poor or abusive Irish teachers? (Méabh)

Very Very Important , i myself never experienced this abuse with learning Irish as i was never taught Irish at school , but the Adults i have heard from, it was apparently nothing less than out and out abuse , with constant drilling of prayers and verbs , "Where was the Love? absent like the encouragement and the kindness of the teachers ( Brothers), and also the absence of the open, energetic and excited Minds of the children must have been noticable , yet ignored. So it may be too late for many of the older generation to return,
is mór an trua é. Those who do venture back re-kindle the love they should have been taught for it , in a fun and friendly enviroment.

What do your kids think of your new passion for Irish? (Méabh)

To be honest i know they are Proud when i recieve any favourable exam results( regardless of the Subjects) and are proud that i am back at work , as i know they know how much i Love Irish , but thats where it ends , as they havent much interest in Irish and i wont push or force it on them , but i do hope some time in the future they will turn their minds towards it , that will be another Proud day for me.

What are your thoughts on people outside of Ireland (particularly those with no immediate ties to Ireland) putting so much effort into learning the language? Do you think it's helpful to the language's future, or mostly neutral? (Redwolf)

his is a Tricky one to be honest (and i off course will be Honest , and hope not to offend, people i would consider friends on this site who are not Irish) at first i thought it was very unusual and strange that the level of time and application it takes to do this is quite extensive , and i am vey well aware of the amount of time and energy and Money that the people that attend this site put in , and i am 100% " beside youse" with your quest to learn Irish. But i know why i am learning Irish , i feel i and many like me were robbed of our culture and out birthright by english invasion , something that hugely annoys me , but i am not stupid in that way , that i would let it eat at me constantly and daily , because then it would only continue to win , so yet i choose to " Shoot at it " with every Irish word i learn and then i move forward. And most importantly and something that has just entered my mind as i write this
"Maybe i am not yet ready to share my Newly found Culture & Language with anyone else yet " but i do wish you all well and no harm , this is MY Problem and not yours , i am Learning a lot more than Irish here. So i will finish by saying i think that anyone who takes up the challenge to learn Irish and in doing so falls in love with it and maybe its Culture can only be a good thing. So i hope i have not offended anyone in the process of explaining myself. I am not for violence as i feel words can hurt or get your point across every bit as much. But when your culture and Language have been Denied to you for most of your life its kinda hard to be trusting again , i would love to hear your thoughts on what i have said here , even if in a Private Message.
this is fun but tough ,lol , i am sorry if i am being too serious , that Most definitly not my Nature lol

Do you remember your first póg? (Brian)

Oh boy do !!!!
She was a real stunner lol i thought i had no chance with her yet i asked my mate to tell her i fancied her and wanted to go out with her " which he did and she accepted much to my Surprise lol , so we went on a Date the next evening , we just met at the side of a local footie ground , were most of us local kids hung around , but it was bit enough to hide " if ya know wht i mean lol we sat and chated fer ages as i was far too nervous too do anythg lol , then basically i had no choice as it started gettin awkward lol , so we kissed " Buzzers and bellz went off lol woweeeeeeee ( it was obviously not her first time as she kinkda used her toungue ) lol was Magic he he , so i havent forgotten it , and i still see her occassionally still and the Memory comes right to me No one knows this but you guys so!
i hope that was enough and not too much info

And by the way, thanks fer bringing baack the Memory lol ;)

Would you salute if Paisley's coffin passed by? (Brian)

The thing is i am a bad shot so yeah i would glady do the 21 gun salute ,and maybe only hit the coffin about 40 times lol to be sure to be sure ,
but if you mean ina serious way " No"

Do you remember the first time you had a curry? (Brian)

Not really lol but i so Love em, the story my missus often tells is that when we were going out with each other at the start , She would order a Curry and i didnt like em so i ordered chips peas and scrummy Chineese gravy lol , and i would be finished way before her , so i ordered another when i was waiting fo her to finish lol

Is there any personal significance to your forum name "Fugitive"? (kenailan)

Naw not reallly , but to try and stretch out this answer , it may have been kinda in the back of my mind that i meant "Rebel " as in Rebel of Irish , as in almost every single way i totaly respect the Irish Language , but a little touch of rebellion and disrespect now and again shakes up the dust and awakens the people that think that it is in safe hands , because it is far from safe as a Language. And also to let the Grammar geeks and Irish heireachy/ Snobz Know that it is a living Breathing language , so give the average joe thats struggling with learning Irish a break , weather he/she is Irish or from any other place Throughout the World. níl saoi gan locht, We all make and made mistakes and will continue to do so , sure thats half the Craic lol

What was your proudest moment? (Brian)

I have had a long week doing classroom assistant and attending and teaching my night classes , so i promised Myself a Drink last night and tonight if i could , as i will not get a chance to drink during the week anymore lol , so at this stage of flicking through my favourite tunes on youtube and having a few beers ( And in Heavan , i.e Journey , UB40, bob seger, John Lee Hooker, Santana etc, )Im pissed lol ( so answers may vary lol) That would be Really difficult to answer , i have my Wedding Day and the Birth and birthdays of my Kids to consider , so i will assume that you dont want them included in this choice. It could well be walking across the stage of the University to collect my Diploma for Irish Language, But in fairness any and all of the achievments that i have achieved since starting on this road , have clicked up varied amounts of Pride in My Heart , so i can only say that , that is an on going issue , and if i ever decide i will let you know asap, , "Its like asking "what is your Favourite movie or Song " kinda impossible really as it constantly changes from day to day

What triggered your enthusiasm for the language? What were the various attitudes in Derry like towards the Irish language as you were growing up? (An Treasach)
Once again i havent too much to say on either of these questions and i will explain why, and also aswer as best as i can. Basically i was at a loose end when i took on learning Irish as i was unemployed and doing all sorts of courses and i foolishly imagined Irish to be just another course initially. but with joining my first class the teacher and students inspired or triggered my enthusiasim for the language you could say. they were that helpful and enthusiastic that it kinda rubbed of on me very quickly and i have to say hasnt left , which i would now say is my strongest trait when teaching. I would say people return to my classes not for the first class Irish i teach but moreso because they must obviously see how much i enjoy being there myself and there are many laughs along the way as nothing is sacred for a joke to be made of lol( unlike many teachers i have come across with first class Irish and more than i Will ever have regarding Grammar etc, but arriving late, leaving early, not being prepared with handouts , or doing too much or too little during a class , does little to encourage the Learner , and i for one dont hang around in classes for too long, Sorry but this is a pet hate of mine lol)

I never even encountered Irish as i grew up in Derry so this is almost impossible to answer ,i can only comment on what i know which is how i have percieved things over the last 6/7 odd years that i have been involved. and it varies greatly from dislike of the language, which i feel comes from people who havent the time or feel its too hard to learn so therfore "Knock it " rather than "say good on you". the best way to explain this is to Introduce you to a Friend of mine who is learning Irish in my class " Pj" ( Patrick Joseph) this is about his second attempt at it i think , and doing very well , but he and i both know hestill questions the Structures too much , and hasnt crossed that all important bridge yet " That it is not english, but a different language" but when we go out for a beer after the classes or just generally at the weekend , He will speak to people in Irish , lol especially when drunk, nothing mad , just Dia duit or cad é mar atá tú ? and has yet to get a bad response , the COMPLETE Opposite in fact , we now have people in our classes because of this lol and have had many conversations( albeit Drunkenly lol ) and heard many storys of how these people had previously learnt Irish or did it at school , it really amazes me when this happens as i know for afact that there are many many people walking around Derry with a varied amount of Irish, not only that ,,many of them say they will or would like to attend classes , is mór an trua é , they dont. but just trying to get my point across , when the Drink is in the Truth comes out and i often see a look in their eyes of regret and a hint of Shame .
like i said i havent much to say on these two questions so i will stop now lol.

Apart from green what's your favourite colour? And tell us a bit more about your musical aspirations and experience? (Caffler)

I would have to say Blue , im not sure why but with clothes and the likes i am always drawn to it ,i think its a Blue Jeans thing lol so i need my shoes and other items of clothing to match , im not sure if that hits the spot for the question you asked regarding my favourite colour.

*Long answer warning here* lol , I Have always loved music , maybe steming from my Father being a drummer in Céile bands ( and reportedly very good) then my eldest brother took up the Sticks nad played in various pop bands of excellent quality. I however choose to play guitar but never purchased one till shortly before i married at the age of 20 , and messed about learning till i got the chance to play in a few bands up until a few years ago when i more or less quit , because i got kinda fed up with the same ole music that i was doing. the money was handy earned most times and the Craic playing in pubs all over the North and some of the south was awesome. but after about 20 odd years plying Johnny b goode and Beatles and Van Morrison it held no more enthusiasim for me. i have to admit to starting off likeing AC/DC , Rush and rock groups like that , then moved on to music that i could actually play like Rock 'n' Roll & Blues then moved onto Reggae during my"Hazy Smoking Days "lol. with the interest in Irish i was listening to RnG and watching TG4 and attending the Gaeltacht and going to pubs with my Isish speaking Classmates and friends , so eventually the listening to Traditional music caught up with me especially when buying CD,S i started buying only Irish Language CD,s.
i have messed around at sessions with bringing along & playing my guitar , which only really worked if there was another guitar to watch for the changes , which in most cases are repetive and simple in chord structure , yet the "Timing is Everything" as i have no words to Follow. I am now really enjoying learning the Bodhrán and the Tin whistle , but i am honestly too busy ( i know i hear that all the time from my students and class mates lol ) to practice , but i attend the classes and practice when i can. the thg is i have somethg on every night accept Fri & Sat so i have a wee drinky Poo,s then and my days are now filled with being a classroom assistant , so in some ways it Tricky , but Honestly " I would have it no other Way" as im either Teaching or Learningh Irish or Learning Or Playing Music , and in a small way Employed through the medium of Irish. my only thing now it to get it Balanced and structured and i would love to get a chance to study my Irish more and Especially History and Culture. sin é i kept it short as i could lol

Clár ama Ailéin

An Luan - An Aoine 9.00r.n – 1.00i.n Cólaiste Bhríde
An Luan – 1.00 -3.00 Teach Jack, Comhrá
Oíche Luan 6.00 - 6.30 Ceacht Guitar
7.00 - 8.00 Rang Gaeilge AOH
8.00 – 9.00 Rang Bodhrán AOH
An Mháirt - Uair a chloig sa Giomnáisiam
Oíche Mháirt 6.00 – 6.30 Ceacht Guitar
8.30 10.00 Rang amhránaíochta
Oíche Chéadaoin 7.30 8.30 Rang Gaeilge Strabane
Oíche Déardaoin 6.30 – 9.30 Rang Diplóma
An Déardaoin – Uair a chloig sa Giomnáisiam
Oíche Aoine – Saor
Oíche Shatharn – Saor agus uair a chloig sa Giomnáisiam
Oíche Domhnach 7.00 – 800 Rang Feadóg Stain AOH
8.00 – 9.00 Rang Gaeilge AOH
Uair a chloig sa Giomnáisiam

Maybe this will give youse a kind of idea how my present week runs

Do you stick to the CO (Caighdeán Oifigiúil - standardised Irish) when you teach Irish or do you allow a few Derryisms in there...be honest. What is your feeling (in 1000 words or less) on CO vs dialectical Irish? (Tiarnán)

Its the hardest part of teaching when you teach something only to find someone in the class has heard or been taught it Differently or at least regarding Pronounciation. I dont in the first place regard myself as a Teacher but i guess more as a facilitator with More Irish than those whom i attempt to teach , that said they come back again and again , so i am of the opinion i am doing some thing right , But thats only my Opinion. Its why i like to Teach adults , because they have no agenda , they return because they want to return.Not like children who attend because they have to and may not other wise do so lol. but this was the thing at the start that confused me and for a short spell almost put an end to me learning. Because of the fact that i could sweat Blood learning Irish only to go to a Gaeltacht and not be understood or understand the Various Dialects. But that was short lived as i now see that as Exciting and a Challenge to learn and work and listen to the multifaceted thing that is Gaeilge. so in my classes if i know two or more ways to say something i do mention it as subtly as i can as not too frighten the Students in the way that i was for a while , with the chance that they may not Return for a second bite at the Language. i do believe in the Standard , but it has to be as Flexabe as water or air and bend and move and shape as and when required to suit the situation. So yes i would use Anything at my disposal to get students hooked and to make it easier. Lets all remember our first class or week of Irish , was painful in many ways , especially as Adults, having to make fools of ourselfs and embarass ourselfs , and this is beyond some peoples imagination that they would allow themselves be put through such an Ordeal , or as in some cases feel like they have to Lower them selves to a Childs level , Pride Mostly i think.

The Standard has its place but by no means is it the be all and end all ( as one of my other pet hates is the Native speaker Holy Grail Scenariolol)just as in the same way many People think that Native Speakers hold the key ( Pass it on ffs lol ) Some people get the thought that Native speakers are the Holy Grail , Nonsense , they are only People who happen to have been fortunate to have been raised through their native toungue and i as an Irish person have just as much right to speak Irish as do your good selves should you choose to do so. To finish , yes some People have the most beautiful Irish and Perfect Gramatically which is a deligt to listen too, So what , some of them still haappen to be pains in the :(

As you can see i just say how i feel , " Respect is earned not handed out as Birth " thats where the name Teifeach comes from lol, if i see something that dosent deserve what it is getting i''ll say so "Rebel" lol as far as i am concerned we are all in the same boat from the Learner who walks into his/her first class to the highest of Professors , its just they have forgotten how to lower themselves like on the first day that they Started the Wonderful trip that We are all Now on "to speak and use Irish to the best of our ability and be shown respect from every quarter along the Sometimes Difficult road"
i hope that goes someways to answering your Questions my friend without soapboxing too much lol or Waffling lol

You mentioned you were a teaching assistant. Is this your 'day job'? What age group do you work with. Do you assist with their Irish classes as well. (Refreshe)

I just started last week , so this is my second week now and it is called part time , but i do 20 hours from Monday till Friday 9 till 1. they are of various ages from about 12'ish to 15. i have class routine of going into each lesson and askinfg the teacher if he needs any help and mostly i am asked to do a bit of photocopying , and the occassional translation , and sometimes i just help a smaller group of kids in the corner if there is a Year difference in the class , i help the lower age group. i hope this answers yours questions.