Speaking Irish

We've been struck by the beauty of the Irish language, which Americans, including us before we arrived, incorrectly call "Gaelic." From what we can tell, Gaelic is mainly spoken in Scotland, and the native language here is simply called "Irish." In Dublin all signs are written in both English and Irish, and Irish is taught as a second language in the schools. There is a national movement to preserve it, and in some parts of the west and north it is spoken as the primary language.

Where we notice it most is in names, both of people and places. What makes it difficult is that phonetically it bears no relation to English. So looking at an Irish word gives you little sense of how to actually pronounce it. Here are the names of some people we have met, and one town. See if you can guess the correct pronunciation of each (answers at the bottom):

1. Orlaith
2. Eoin
3. Aoife
4. Diarmaid
5. Dun Laoghaire




On a different subject, we know there is a very small minority of you who like it when friends call you over and say, "Hey, take a look at my vacation photos!" For the rest, you can skip this part. In any case, we got to spend a few days in Switzerland in the Lake Geneva area recently. Here are a few shots.

Looking across Lake Geneva at the French Alps.

Sandy in the tasting room at the Nestle chocolate factory in Broc.

Stacks of cheese at a factory in Gruyere.

Flowers lining the promenade along Lake Geneva in Lausanne.

The promenade in Montreux.

An interesting item for sale in a market in Lausanne.

Vineyards above Lake Geneva near the village of Lutry.

And the requisite selfie, outside the Olympic Museum in Lausanne.

Cheers for now!




[Answers: 1. Orla, 2. Owen, 3. Ee-fa, 4. Dear-med, 5. Dun-Leary]