Standardised Irish Gaelic language vs. dialects

[fenix978]

Hallo. I am interested to start learning Irish Gaelic (Gaeilge) language, but I've heard that there is a considerable difference between dialects and that the official standard language which is taught in schools is actually nowhere spoken, except on TV and radio.
Could someone say which dialect the official Gaelic is most closer to?

[Grace O'Malley]

Hallo. I am interested to start learning Irish Gaelic (Gaeilge) language, but I've heard that there is a considerable difference between dialects and that the official standard language which is taught in schools is actually nowhere spoken, except on TV and radio.
Could someone say which dialect the official Gaelic is most closer to?

My father spoke the Connacht dialect of Irish and my mother spoke the Munster dialect. I think the Munster dialect is the one that is more standard. I'll see if I can find out for you.

[Grace O'Malley]

Here is what I've found.

The Official Standard (An Caighdeán Oifigiúil)
During the 1950s and 1960s a standardised form of Irish, known the An Caighdeán Oifigiúil (The Official Standard) was developed. It combines elements from the three major dialects and its pronunciation is based on the Connacht dialect. This is the form of the language taught in most schools.

http://www.omniglot.com/writing/irish.htm

You would most probably learn the Standard Irish as this would be what most books and learning materials are based on. I think people only speak the various versions depending on if they live in those areas e.g. if you lived in Mayo and were in the Gaeltacht there you would speak Connacht Irish.

[fenix978]

Here is what I've found.

The Official Standard (An Caighdeán Oifigiúil)
During the 1950s and 1960s a standardised form of Irish, known the An Caighdeán Oifigiúil (The Official Standard) was developed. It combines elements from the three major dialects and its pronunciation is based on the Connacht dialect. This is the form of the language taught in most schools.

http://www.omniglot.com/writing/irish.htm

You would most probably learn the Standard Irish as this would be what most books and learning materials are based on. I think people only speak the various versions depending on if they live in those areas e.g. if you lived in Mayo and were in the Gaeltacht there you would speak Connacht Irish.


Thank you. I've found this dictionary http://www.focloir.ie/ where for many Irish words exist pronunciation in all three major dialects. I've noticed that in most cases there is no big difference between Munster and Connacht, but on the other hand, the pronunciation of words in Ulster dialect is much different than in other two dialects.