Language

It was the year 2001 when we left South Africa for our adventure that was going to be — Ireland. We had done this before. Packed up everything and travelled. Last time it was for a year around Europe — travelling and working. This time was slightly different. Our family had grown in the meantime and we had two small daughters.

One of our main reasons we chose to move to Ireland was the language. In Ireland they speak English so “at least we’ll understand the locals, one less thing to worry about,” was our very optimistic and and not totally correct reasoning. Maybe we also thought this would make the culture shock less.

We now live in a village in county Limerick. And, after all is said and done, I am still unsure — after more than 20 years — if I have to answer someone back when I walk past and they greet me with the standard “ho’re you?”. I still don’t know if I can just walk away, feeling very rude, or do I answer? And in most cases when I do answer, the person is already ten steps further. A few locals who don’t seem too worried about this, say it is just a form of saying “hello”, and no one really expects an answer. So, I now quickly mumble “grand thanks” in order not to offend.

Another expression I was in the dark about, is “yer man” (yer =your). I began to realise over the years that “yer man” signifies a person, a man, whose identity is assumed to be known to everyone who is part of the conversation. I am still unsure if the person who is speaking about “yer man“, can actually not remember the man’s name and therefore calling him “yer man”, or is it just a standard “yer man”? Now, to follow a conversation where there is a constant referral to “yer man”, is hard enough when they are only talking about one man. As soon as there is mention of more than one man, you are in serious trouble. Especially if you are not sure of which “man” they are actually talking about. It can be hilarious or totally embarrassing. And only the other day I realised the female equivalent is “yer one”.

Then the use of “so”, “like” and “sure look it” are all still quite foreign to me. Maybe that is a generation thing because my kids use them without problem. But when I use them, it sounds pretty pretentious to me. And I do want to use them. Just correctly.

Then off course there are the different accents within Ireland. When we just moved into our house the locals warned us about the Cork-accent. How almost impossible it is to understand people hailing from Cork, except those from Cork. The hardest of all Irish accents to follow, even for the Irish, we were told.

Low and behold when we introduced ourselves to our neighbours, we realised he was originally from Cork. But these days we can understand him very well, and he hopefully us. So, maybe that was a slight exaggeration on the Irish side or maybe we are becoming more Irish by the day…

The cultural differences are not so obvious. There are more underlying nuances which I don’t always — still after so many years — understand.

The Irish as a nation are very polite, friendly and accommodating. But, they can also be extremely stubborn. I think sometimes they are almost impossible to analyse, because just when I think; “Ah now I understand what you mean or where you come from”, it all changes again. To confront and speak my mind is almost the worst thing I can do in Ireland. With Dutch blood running through my veins, I have realised this the hard way.

I still miss certain things from South Africa. Especially the weather. But there are things about Ireland that I would miss in equal amounts by now. Like the peaceful way of life especially in rural Ireland. Beautiful and unhurried. It has happened a few times that I forgot to lock our front door when going away.

There is also a great sense of community where we live.

I love that the postman delivers our post without many addresses having street numbers, just knowing exactly where everyone lives.

Also, the age of this country. The castles, the ruins, the stone walls, the cathedrals, the landscape. It really takes my breath away and is always a treat when we have guests. South Africa as a country is a baby in comparison.

The Irish also never take the weather for granted. I really love that. If there is a hint of sunshine and blue skies, especially after days of wet and misery, that would be almost everyone’s opening line. “A beautiful day, isn’t it?” I can just but smile.

And then those beautiful long summer evenings. How can you not love them?

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