5/22/10

I’ve noticed a few language differences between the US and Ireland.  Obviously, there is the way the Irish talk.  In my opinion, it’s a more pleasant style than what most Americans present.  Where I’m from, a lot of people talk in a hard style that comes off as sounding very “wannabe southern hick.”

What has struck me most about the Irish language isn’t how they talk, though.  It’s the words they say.  This morning, I asked a hotel worker where the restroom was.  I thanked her, and she said, “No bother.”  I asked another guy for directions to Malahide Castle, and when I thanked him, he said, “no worries.”  After talking to both of these people, I felt a sense of relief.  It was as if I had been pacing back and forth, weighing the pros and cons of asking these people for help.

And when I finally made that bold decision to leap forth, they me wanted to know that they were okay with answering a foreigner’s ignorant question.