‘Irish life came into view in Technicolor’ – Mary McAleese ar fhoghlaim na Gaeilge

Bhí an Ghaeilge mar a bheadh ‘bronntanas na mbronntanas ina saol’ ag Iar-Uachtarán na hÉireann, Mary McAleese, a bhraith níos mó “istigh léi féin" nuair a d’fhoghlaim sí an teanga agus go raibh cneasú créachta i gceist leis

30/8/2012 Griffith College The Mary McAleese Legal Executive Scholarship Scheme. Pictured is Professor Mary McAleese who officially launch The Mary McAleese Legal Executive Scholarship Scheme, the first scholarship scheme for trainee legal executives at Griffith College today. The Mary McAleese Legal Executive Scholarship Scheme allows students enrolled on the Griffith College 'Diploma in Legal Studies and Practice' programme to apply for funding on the grounds of merit and financial need, allowing those who would not otherwise have the opportunity to further their career prospects. Developed in consultation with the Irish Institute of Legal Executives (IILEX), the legal industry, past graduates and members of the Griffith College legal academic team, this programme is the only Legal Executive course in Ireland to be accredited by the Irish Institute of Legal Executives. It comprises elements of academic, vocational and skills training and successful completion of the programme leads to associate membership of IILEX, the Irish Institute of Legal Executives, as well as many other exciting opportunities, both in employment and in further study. For more information please see www.gcd.ie/law or www.gcc.ie/law. Photo Mark Stedman/Photocall Ireland
Pictiúr: Mark Stedman/Photocall Ireland

De réir mar a chuir Iar-Uachtarán na hÉireann Mary McAleese lena tuiscint ar an nGaeilge, bhraith sí go raibh a saol ag athrú ó ‘dhubh agus bán’ go ‘technicolour’.

“Comprehension of the language revealed so much that had been hidden from me except in translation. Now I saw the creativity, the beauty and the artistry at first hand. It was like transitioning from black and white television to colour. Irish life came into view in Technicolor,” a scríobhann McAleese in alt atá foilsithe ar an Irish News inniu.

Sa phíosa léi, atá mar chuid de shraith alt faoin nGaeilge atá coimisiúnaithe ag Foras na Gaeilge, molann an tIar-Uachtarán do dhaoine gan ligean don “eagla” an ceann is fearr a fháil orthu agus iad ag cuimhneamh ar an nGaeilge a fhoghlaim an athuair.

Tráchtann McAleese ar conas a shealbhaigh sí féin an Ghaeilge nuair a ceapadh ina hUachtarán ar Éirinn í agus deir sí gur deacair di a shamhlú a ‘bhoichte’ a bheadh a saol le fiche bliain anuas d’uireasa na Gaeilge agus na laethanta saoire a thugann sí gach samhradh i nGaeltacht Dhún na nGall.

Deir McAleese nach amhlaidh go mbraitheann sí níos ‘Éireannaí’ mar dhuine ó d’fhoghlaim sí an teanga ach gur fearr an tuiscint atá aici ar a cuid féiniúlachta mar sin féin.

‘Do I feel more Irish than when I spoke no Irish? No. Do I feel I know my identity more intimately and convincingly? Yes. Is my life better for re-engaging with the Irish language? Definitely.’

Scríobhann McAleese ar conas a bhraith sí níos mó “istigh léi féin” nuair a d’fhoghlaim sí an teanga agus go raibh cneasú créachta i gceist leis.

“My understanding of Irish identity was enhanced and enriched every step of the way. The skin of identity became more comfortable, a better fit. From the language, the discourse and the culture of Gaeilge there developed a sense of a circle completed, a wound healed.”

Deir an tIar-Uachtarán go bhfuil an Ghaeilge mar a bheadh ‘bronntanas na mbronntanas ina saol’.

“It has been the gift of gifts, a remarkable source of endlessly renewable energy in my life; and I cannot imagine how poor my life would have been without these past twenty wet craic-filled summers in the Donegal Gaeltacht,” a deir sí.

Tá an t-alt ‘How Irish invigorated my life’ leis an Iar-Uachtarán le léamh ar an Irish News inniu agus é foilsithe mar chuid de shraith alt a choimisiúnaigh Foras na Gaeilge don cheiliúradh ar an teanga atá ar bun acu le haghaidh chomóradh Éirí Amach na Cásca.

Beidh roinnt de na hailt sin le léamh ar Tuairisc.ie as seo go ceann roinnt seachtainí.

 

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