What's the craic with Hiberno-English?
A German client asked me that last week and I tried to explain it there and then. If I wasn’t clear, this is for you, Klaus. Hiberno-English is our unique flavour of English. Full of quirks, history, culture and charm and a joy in which to write. It has evolved from centuries of Gaelic and English mingling, relying heavily on our beautiful native language and its descriptive expressions. From phrases like “I’m away to the shop†to the “craic†above, Hiberno-English is as colourful as it is unique.
While French holds the throne of diplomacy, oozing elegance in international treaties, and American English dominates business with its streamlined spelling (without color, nor colour), our English stands apart. We take global English and give it a twist and a hug — why say “She just left†when you can say, “She’s after leaving� Who else would say “I came down in the morning and there was my bike – gone�?
In our business, American English reigns supreme as the language and spelling of international marketing but Ireland has carved its niche by using Hiberno-English to inject local authenticity into tourism, hospitality and business. So, while we may write emails with perfect global spelling, our speech remains peppered with a touch of colloquial magic.
This is a globalised world where linguistic identities blur, but Hiberno-English is a reminder that small, local quirks can thrive alongside the slick efficiency of uniform acquiescence. Our Hiberno-English, our second language, carries a charming cultural signature that keeps Ireland’s unique voice alive.
Oh and here’s a thought: As fears over the decline of our native language grow, sure isn’t it great that we have our own take on the English? We’ll be grand.
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