Irish Translation Forum

Personally, I wouldn't feel entirely comfortable in helping with an application form which would give the impression that the person filling in the form has better Irish than might really be the case. [Do some schools give priority to pupils from Irish speaking families?] I do hope you are successful in getting your son a place, though. Others may feel differently about helping, of course. But, if people are willing to assist, rather than you asking for a few translations "along the lines of", it might be better if you spell out exactly what you want to say (and ask for the whole form to be done) - that way you can be surer that the sentiments on the form are as close as possible to what you want and, also, it will minimise the chance that the standard of Irish on the form varies noticeably in places.

Hi All,
Thanks Redwolf for putting the topic as priority, your very good .
Merryploughbhoy, i understand your position on the subject, i've written most of the application form already, 4 pages of it and i just asked for a little help with the last 2/3 lines, i haven't posted what i've written rough so far as i've not mastered how to post 'as gaeilge' , as in i'm not able to use the fada's needed. i speak irish alot through homelife and work but from a gramma context i was unsure of some correct spellings, to use uru/seimhu,d,n,t,l,s etc. in writen form. I would never have used the inference I was more fluent in irish than I am, I just wanted to have the grammar correct , the written variant , i'm far more used to speaking irish than writing it.
Thanks to all who took the time to read and post, I do apprecaite your help, I will fill the form in myself now, as I said I'm new to this forum, I wouldn't for the world want anyone to feel that I was masquerading as a fluent irish speaker, but i do hold my own in conversation.
Thanks to all who helped me.
Trid is trid go raibh maith agat ,
Slan,
Foighne, x

I don't have a problem with helping with this kind of thing...it's not in the same class as a job application or schoolwork. As a lover of the language, I'd like to see as many children in Gaelscoileanna as possible, whether their parents speak Irish or not. In fact, one of my favorite things to do here is help parents who are trying to help their kids in Gaelscoil with their homework (but who don't have much Irish themselves)...it's a great chance to educate.

Redwolf

I would just like to add that this question often comes up in relation to Gaelscoilanna and similar organisations in Scotland or in Brittany for example. Part of the job of these schools is to deal with this kind of situation and provide help and encouragement to parents who don't necessarily speak the target language.

Gaelscoileanna (sorry!)

Redwolf wrote: As a lover of the language, I'd like to see as many children in Gaelscoileanna as possible, whether their parents speak Irish or not.
Redwolf

I'd be surprised if anyone on this site felt differently. I hope I didn't give the impression that I feel only children whose parents have Irish should be entitled to go to a Gaelscoil . I don't think the level of Irish that the parents have (or do not have) should be an issue at all at all - and if parents want to apply in Irish, even if they don't feel terribly confident about their ability - that's admirable. But, if they want help, my own feeling is that, as per homework requests, they should post their own efforts first. Alternatively, if they don't have the ability to make any sort of attempt themselves (which is clearly not the case here), I think they should just use the English application form.
Foighne, I hope I haven't caused you any offence. As I said, I wish you all the best with the application.

Dia Duit,
Aplogies if I came across as a bit snappy, Ive just had twin girls 6 weeks ago and time is tight to get this application right and in on time! I can totally see where Merryploughbouy is comming from , I just felt a little deflated after reading post , hormones may have played a part in that !! ( oh and sleep deprevation too!! ) , just to reassure everyone, the process of being accepted in quiet ardous, it involves a 6 part process, the application form being just a small part. I also have an interview to do as gaeilge as does my son, and there are several other adjuncts that have to be completed prior to acceptance. Though if I do suceed in securing a place then my other children can attend the same school as their older brother. I have booked a refresher course in irish that lasts 4 months after christmas to equip me to better master the language and also to brush up the rusty side !!
I just wanted to instill my love of the irish language to my child and make it as natural as breathing for him !!
I feel like a complete muppet but I'll post my very poor effort and feel free to correct the many mistakes I undoubtable have made ! I've probably lost a million brain cells since having the girls so to say this is a very poor effort is an understatement!! Thats why I was hoping I could compare what you guys thought with my very rough work !! I've given it a shot though !!

Ba maith liom cuir in a lui ar mo ghra le do teanga gaeilge, le mo mhac, forbair she gra mor le na teanga as an naoinra. ---- this is meant to translate as I would love to instill my love of the irish language to my son as he has already developed a great love of the language himself from his naionra.

sin e seans iontach a solathair oideachas is fearr le mo mhac ------- loosly this is meant to mean that it is a unique/wonderful opportunity to provide the best education for my son.

Ta clu suntasach ag an scoile ---- the school has an impressive reputation.
Nilim cinnte!! Please excuse the absence of fada's.

A Fhoighne

Tuigim do chás (páistí óga agus easpa suain!).

For the 3, I've combined tidying up your versions with some of my own suggestions.
Hope it helps.

- Chuir mo mhac spéis mhór sa Ghaeilge cheana féin agus é ag freastal ar an naíonra. Mar gheall ar an ngrá atá agam féin don teanga, ba bhreá liom an spéis sin a chaomhnú agus a chothú.

- Is iontach an deis é an t-oideachas is fearr dá bhfuil ann a thabhairt do mo mhac.

- Tá clú agus cáil ar an scoil. (You mentioned that you weren't sure which word for reputation to use - a stock phrase is to use both).

Wait for corrections/improvements.

Well that sorts you out Merry

Foighne, I hope your application is successful. You are obviously genuinely interested in Irish.