Understanding the Irish Language Experience

The speaker reflects on their journey of learning the Irish language, starting from teenage years in school, where it was taught similarly to Latin or French. The Irish language was politically charged, often seen as opposing the state. Despite this, the speaker excelled in Irish exams and pursued it at university. Although not as fluent now, they engage with Irish through translation, particularly of poet Nola Nell. The speaker also shares experiences of cultural immersion in Irish-speaking regions of Ireland, akin to American summer camps.

How often does the speaker currently use the Irish language?

• Once every 10 years

• Never

• Every day

• Once a year

At what age did the speaker begin learning Irish?

• 8 years old

• 12 years old

• 18 years old

• 15 years old

How was the Irish language perceived in relation to the state?

• As a neutral language

• As a language of the state

• As a language against the state

• As a language of commerce

What was the speaker's performance in Irish exams compared to English exams?

• Worse in Irish

• Better in Irish

• Equal in both

• No exams taken

What did the speaker study at university?

• Latin language

• French language

• Irish language

• English literature

What is the speaker's current use of the Irish language?

• Daily conversation

• Writing novels

• Translating poetry

• Teaching classes

Who is the Irish poet whose works the speaker translates?

• Seamus Heaney

• W.B. Yeats

• Nola Nell

• James Joyce

What type of camp did the speaker attend as a child?

• Sports camp

• Music camp

• Language camp

• Science camp

Where were the language camps located?

• In the city

• On the east coast

• In remote areas of Ireland

• In Northern Ireland

What was the main purpose of attending these language camps?

• To learn English

• To learn Irish

• To learn French

• To learn Latin