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Profs and Pints Philadelphia presents: “An Introduction to Irish Gaelic,” with Jonathan O’Neill, assistant professor in the Center for Irish Studies and the Global Interdisciplinary Studies Department at Villanova University, where he teaches Irish language and related courses.
Prepare yourself to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day like a pro. Feel at ease in parts of Ireland where the Irish language, Gaeilge, is still spoken.
Come to Fishtown’s Black Squirrel Club for an introduction to the Irish language that promises to be both educational and, as the Irish would say, “good craic,” or loads of fun.
Dr. Jonathan O’Neill, a native of County Clare and veteran instructor of the Irish language, will be on hand to give you a crash course on its history and basics and show you how understanding it is key to unlocking aspects of Ireland’s history, names, literature, and culture.
He’ll explore the origins of this Celtic language and discuss how it has evolved through three different scripts, withstood three sets of invading languages, and amassed Western Europe’s oldest vernacular literature. He’ll discuss some of the political and social issues that have contributed to it becoming a minority language on the island of Ireland and tackle the question of whether there is a contemporary resurgence.
Turning to the basics of the language itself, he’ll demystify its spelling system and discuss some of its unique grammatical features. Pay attention and he’ll have you leaving the talk with an ability to read Irish road signs, pronounce many Irish words, and utter several choice Irish expressions. (Advance tickets: $13.50 plus processing fees. Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Guests are welcome to arrive any time after 5:30. Talk starts at 6:30.)
