Motherfoclir: Dispatches from a not so dead language

(Paperback)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

Bestseller & Winner of the Popular Non-Fiction Irish Book Award. 'Thought-provoking, irreverent and often laugh-out-loud hilarious' Irish Independent. "Motherfoclir" [focloir means 'dictionary' and is pronounced like a rather more vulgar English epithet] is a book based on the popular Twitter account @theirishfor. As the title suggests, Motherfoclir takes an irreverent, pun-friendly and contemporary approach to the Irish language. The translations are expanded on and arranged into broad categories that allow interesting connections to be made, and sprinkled with anecdotes and observations about Irish and Ireland itself, as well as language in general. The author includes stories about his own relationship with Irish, and how it fits in with the most important events in his life. This is a book for all lovers of the quirks of language.

Reviews

A completely fresh take on the Irish language * Irish Examiner *
Full of familiarity, of nostalgia, of humour and warmth. The author's voice really brings the book and the language to life - he somehow manages to remove all the boring aspects, and replaces them in with rich stories, with quirks, with colour and poignancy... I'll be recommending it heartily' -- Sara Baume, author of Spill Simmer Falter Wither and A Line Made By Walking
Saghdha picked an opportune time for his gr for Gaeilge to flower among a receptive readership * Irish Examiner *
A fun book on a great subject * Sunday Business Post *
It's thought-provoking, irreverent and often laugh-out-loud hilarious * Irish Independent *
A lot of fun if you're a bit of a nerd for etymology. It sneakily teaches you Irish in a big-hearted way * Irish Independent, Books of the Year *
It takes an irreverent, pun friendly and contemporary approach to the Irish language and it's a book for all lovers of the quirks of the Irish language * Tullamore Tribune *

Author Bio

Darach O'Saghdha is the author of popular twitter account @theirishfor whose followers include Dara O'Briain, Ed Byrne, Marian Keyes, Colm Toibin, and Gerry Adams.