Post by Bobeddy on Apr 11, 2008 14:17:42 GMT -5
(I understand that no-one will really care about this, but I'm feeling great and just had to write about how I feel)
Well it's the end of an era!
Today marks the day I completed my Irish Oral. From this day forth, I need never again speak another word 'as Gaeilge'
*And now some background*
(Y'see in Irish secondary schools, we have to do a series of tests called the Leaving Cert, which are often cited as the most important tests we'll ever do!
One of the compulsory subjects we as Irish children have to study is Gaeilge, aka Irish.
And part of the Irish LC is the Oral, which as one would assume involves having a conversation in Irish which counts for 25% of your overall grade)
Now I make no bones about my complete and utter ineptitude when it comes to Irish, and I'll openly admit that Irish is my worst subject. Though I've spent the last 14 years learning the language, I can barely read, write or speak Irish.
I've just always hated it. Even as a kid, I couldn't see what was the point of learning a language that I had no use for in today's world. I understand it's a part of our culture, but if I'm being honest that's not motivation enough.
Hell, it's not like I go Irish dancing or play the Bodhrán or kill wolfhounds with sliotars.
Now I'm sure you're all salivating in anticipation of hearing how my Oral went.
Well I'm not going to lie.
Waiting outside the examination room I was quite nervous, I'll even go as far as saying I was visibly nervous.
For you see, after spending the previous few weeks in a self-imposed state of denial, and the last 6 years hiding from questions in Irish class.
Nowhere to run
By the grace of God, I got the most laize-faire examiner ever.
She just let me come in, sit down and talk about whatever the hell I wanted.
And so the next 15 minutes were spent with tales of radio, beards and David Duchovny.
But this wasn't my usual stumbly-mumbly, piss-poor Irish.
No. For the first time in my life I was having a conversation.
Everything just seemed to flow. I was talking, very few pauses.
I even made her laugh a couple of times (derived from intentional humour, before you ask)
I actually exceeded my expectations and exiting the room I felt a profound sense of achievement.
I had accomplished what I had once thought impossible, I actually felt comfortable speaking Irish.
In a way, I felt redeemed.
And now I never want to speak that smurfing language ever again!
Well it's the end of an era!
Today marks the day I completed my Irish Oral. From this day forth, I need never again speak another word 'as Gaeilge'
*And now some background*
(Y'see in Irish secondary schools, we have to do a series of tests called the Leaving Cert, which are often cited as the most important tests we'll ever do!
One of the compulsory subjects we as Irish children have to study is Gaeilge, aka Irish.
And part of the Irish LC is the Oral, which as one would assume involves having a conversation in Irish which counts for 25% of your overall grade)
Now I make no bones about my complete and utter ineptitude when it comes to Irish, and I'll openly admit that Irish is my worst subject. Though I've spent the last 14 years learning the language, I can barely read, write or speak Irish.
I've just always hated it. Even as a kid, I couldn't see what was the point of learning a language that I had no use for in today's world. I understand it's a part of our culture, but if I'm being honest that's not motivation enough.
Hell, it's not like I go Irish dancing or play the Bodhrán or kill wolfhounds with sliotars.
Now I'm sure you're all salivating in anticipation of hearing how my Oral went.
Well I'm not going to lie.
Waiting outside the examination room I was quite nervous, I'll even go as far as saying I was visibly nervous.
For you see, after spending the previous few weeks in a self-imposed state of denial, and the last 6 years hiding from questions in Irish class.
Nowhere to run
By the grace of God, I got the most laize-faire examiner ever.
She just let me come in, sit down and talk about whatever the hell I wanted.
And so the next 15 minutes were spent with tales of radio, beards and David Duchovny.
But this wasn't my usual stumbly-mumbly, piss-poor Irish.
No. For the first time in my life I was having a conversation.
Everything just seemed to flow. I was talking, very few pauses.
I even made her laugh a couple of times (derived from intentional humour, before you ask)
I actually exceeded my expectations and exiting the room I felt a profound sense of achievement.
I had accomplished what I had once thought impossible, I actually felt comfortable speaking Irish.
In a way, I felt redeemed.
And now I never want to speak that smurfing language ever again!