Maia Dunphy joined Ray in the studio for a chat about a new project she's involved with Is Féidir Linn, a digital resource for parents and guardians who want to bring more Irish into their lives.
Inspired by the challenges of home schooling during the pandemic, a new, free digital resource for parents and guardians was launched by Gael Linn, an organisation which supports schools in promoting the use of the Irish language beyond the classroom.
Maia said that having a little boy, Tom, who is in senior infants has made her realise the extent of her own Irish and how adults and children view language learning so differently. She said "Adults are terrified of making mistakes with language. Kids will make the mistakes and stumble over words, that's why this is a great resource for parents now to do the same."
'Is Féidir Linn' aims to make the language accessible for all parents and guardians, regardless of their own Irish language skills or experience, using phrases, stories and songs for children about the daily routines of family life. The interactive resource, which is accessible on computer and mobile devices, features everyday phrases in both English and Irish, as well as a sound-recording of each to help with pronunciation.
Useful phrases for parents include "Brostaigh ort, maith an cailín", "Hurry up, good girl", and inspired by the pandemic, "Ná dean dearmad do lámha a ní", "Don’t forget to wash your hands".
Here, Siún Ní Dhuinn and Alsywn Ní Aonghusa chat to Richard Curran on The Business on RTÉ Radio One about their favourite phrases as Gaeilge to use in the office.
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Speaking at the launch of ‘Is Féidir Linn’, Edel Ní Bhraonáin, Gaelbhratach Project Co-ordinator at Gael Linn, said: "While home schooling during the pandemic, many parents and guardians found themselves using more Irish with their children, some having not used the language themselves since school, or having never learned it at all. While it may have been a challenge at the time, we’ve heard from many who were also inspired to reignite their love and use of the language, or to begin learning Irish for the first time.
Funded by Foras na Gaeilge, ‘Is Féidir Linn’ is available for free at: www.gaelbhratach.ie/is-feidir-linn/.
