Duolingo. It’s everywhere. You see it recommended in every online forum discussing the Irish language, plastered across Facebook groups dedicated to learners, and even listed in resource handouts at Irish language immersion weekends. It seems like everyone is head over heels for Duolingo when it comes to language learning.
A collection of Irish language learning books, representing resources available for those who want to learn Irish
Therefore, it might come as a surprise to discover that I’m not a huge advocate for Duolingo, especially for those aiming to Learn Irish. While it holds a certain appeal and widespread usage, understanding its limitations is crucial, particularly when your goal is to truly master the Irish language.
The Drawbacks of Duolingo for Learning Irish
Let’s be clear: I don’t “hate” Duolingo. For languages with vast resources and a plethora of native speakers—like French or Spanish—Duolingo can be a decent starting point. It can even be somewhat helpful for Irish learners at an intermediate level to reinforce existing knowledge. However, for beginners eager to learn Irish, I believe it falls short. Here’s why:
1. Inaccuracy and Errors
One of the most significant issues is the presence of mistakes. I’ve personally encountered numerous errors originating from Duolingo, spanning both grammatical inaccuracies and pronunciation issues. These concerns are frequently raised by learners on platforms like The Irish Language Forum and various social media groups dedicated to learning Irish. While some errors are eventually corrected, beginners often internalize these mistakes before they are rectified.
Update: The situation regarding pronunciation has actually worsened. Duolingo previously improved their Irish pronunciation by incorporating a native speaker from Connemara. However, as of January 15, 2024, it has been reported that Duolingo dismissed its native speakers and now relies on AI-generated voices for Irish. Users are already reporting inaccuracies and peculiar pronunciations. This makes relying on Duolingo for accurate pronunciation even more problematic.
2. Misinformation and Inexperienced “Experts”
Duolingo’s platform can sometimes become a breeding ground for misinformation. Beginners often find themselves arguing grammatical and pronunciation points with more experienced learners, and even native speakers. Worse still, these beginners often garner support for their incorrect interpretations. Do you really want to base your language learning journey on advice from individuals who lack expertise but are insistent on their flawed understanding? Language learning should be based on accuracy and expert guidance, not on popularity contests or consensus among the uninformed.
3. Unnatural and Bizarre Language
Effective language learning, especially at the beginner stage, should prioritize language as it is genuinely spoken. Unfortunately, many sentences in Duolingo are quite unnatural and contrived. If you aim to make basic Irish phrases automatic, you need to practice phrases that people actually use in real conversations, not nonsensical sentences that serve little practical purpose. While bizarre phrases might be part of Duolingo’s pedagogical approach, it’s not an approach that aligns with effective and practical language acquisition, particularly for learn irish purposes.
4. Lack of Responsiveness to Corrections
Recently, there have been reports of experienced Irish speakers pointing out errors to Duolingo administrators, only to have these corrections ignored and communication attempts rebuffed. This lack of responsiveness is a serious deficiency in any language learning program, especially for a language like Irish where accuracy is paramount.
Unlike widely spoken languages, Irish has a relatively small community of native and fluent speakers. Even fewer of these experts are likely to be actively involved in platforms like Duolingo. This scarcity of expert input, combined with the variable quality of Irish content available online, makes it challenging for programs heavily reliant on user-generated or crowd-sourced input to deliver a robust and reliable learning experience for those wanting to learn Irish.
Once you have achieved a solid foundation in Irish, Duolingo might serve as a supplementary, gamified tool to reinforce your existing knowledge. However, I strongly recommend using it only after you have developed sufficient Irish skills to identify potential mistakes and, ideally, have access to knowledgeable individuals or communities, like The Irish Language Forum, to clarify any doubts.
For a deeper dive into the shortcomings of Duolingo and suggestions for alternative resources, I recommend reading this insightful post by Davis from Gaeilge Chonamara.
Better Alternatives to Learn Irish for Beginners (And They’re Free!)
Every time I express my reservations about beginners using crowd-sourced platforms like Duolingo, the inevitable question arises: “What do you recommend instead?” Often, what people are really asking is, “What’s a better free alternative to learn Irish?”
Fortunately, there are excellent, free resources available. Instead of constantly repeating these recommendations, I’ve compiled them here as a readily accessible guide that I and others can easily link to and update as needed.
So, without further ado, here is:
GG’s Guide to Excellent (and Free!) Irish Language Learning Programs
FutureLearn
FutureLearn offers structured, four-week courses created by education professionals from Dublin City University. These courses are well-produced, incorporating audio for every Irish word and providing introductions to various aspects of Irish culture. They offer different levels of participation, with the free tier granting access to your chosen course for its duration plus an additional 14 days. This is an excellent structured approach to learn Irish online from reputable educators.
FutureLearn Irish Language Courses
The Philo-Celtic Society
This long-standing organization provides free online classes ranging from beginner to intermediate levels, along with workshops for advanced learners. For courses beyond the introductory level, they do require the purchase of certain textbooks, such as Progress in Irish. However, these are valuable resources you’ll likely want to acquire as you advance in your learn irish journey anyway.
Free On-line Classes from the Philo-Celtic Society
Now You’re Talking/Irish on Your Own*
Originally published in the mid-1990s, “Now You’re Talking” (in Ireland) or “Irish on Your Own” (in the U.S.) was a comprehensive self-teaching course that included a textbook, audio tapes, and a weekly BBC television program to reinforce lessons.
While now out of print, the good news is that the video components are still accessible on YouTube. Furthermore, much of the course material is freely available through the webpage of the Dallas-Fort Worth Gaelic League, the Dallas-Fort Worth chapter of Conradh na Gaeilge. Although the website may not be actively maintained, the links to the “Irish on Your Own” lessons remain functional.
This course is frequently recommended for beginners. It’s well-designed for adult learners and very accessible. The pronunciation primarily features the Ulster dialect, but other dialects are also represented. All recordings are by native Irish speakers, making it a reliable resource to learn Irish pronunciation.
Note: This course was originally released as “Now You’re Talking” in Ireland and “Irish on Your Own” in the United States.
Buntús Cainte
“Buntús Cainte” is another highly respected and widely used self-teaching method for learn irish beginners. Lessons based on “Buntús Cainte,” including accompanying audio, are freely available online through Raidió Fáilte.
Buntús Cainte via Raidió Fáilte
Begin with the first “Cúpla Focal” podcast (the introduction is in Irish and then repeated in English) and progress through the podcasts systematically as you learn. While these audio lessons are intended as a supplement to the “Buntús Cainte” books, they can also be effectively used independently to learn Irish basics. If you wish to acquire the books, they have been recently re-released, both individually and as a set, complete with CDs: Buntús Cainte Books and CDs.
Other Invaluable Free Resources to Enhance Your Irish Learning
Teanglann (www.teanglann.ie)
Teanglann is a free, online compilation of some of the most authoritative Irish-English dictionaries available. It’s searchable and provides pronunciation for most words (though not for inflected forms). Crucially, it also includes a grammar database, which becomes incredibly useful as you tackle more complex sentence structures in Irish. Furthermore, it provides usage examples, which are invaluable when you start constructing your own Irish sentences and want to ensure you are using words correctly as you learn Irish.
Forvo (http://forvo.com/languages/ga/)
Forvo is a pronunciation database. It is a useful tool, but use it with caution. When using Forvo to check Irish pronunciation, I strongly recommend selecting recordings featuring native speakers or very advanced and meticulous learners. Remember, simply being from Ireland does not guarantee accurate Irish pronunciation! If in doubt about a pronunciation, always seek verification from a trusted source when you learn Irish.
Free Listening Resources: Immersing Yourself in Spoken Irish
Even as a complete beginner, listening to naturally spoken Irish (as opposed to the often slow and overly clear diction of language learning audio) is extremely beneficial. Initially, you might only understand a word like “agus” (and), but consistent listening trains your ear to the rhythm and sounds of the language. It’s also enjoyable and provides a break from more structured study methods. Here are my top free listening resources:
TG4 (www.tg4.com/en)
TG4 is Ireland’s Irish language television channel. By clicking on “Player” (or Seinnteoir in the Irish interface), you can access a vast archive of diverse programs, including dramas, documentaries, game shows, and more. Most programs are subtitled, except for news broadcasts and children’s programming. You can also often customize subtitles on TG4’s online programming. The default is English subtitles, but by clicking “cc” at the bottom of the screen, you can switch to Irish subtitles (when available) or turn subtitles off entirely.
While Irish subtitles are not yet available for all programs, their increasing availability is a significant advantage for learners. Start by watching with English subtitles, and as your Irish improves, switch to Irish subtitles. Eventually, challenge yourself to watch without subtitles, using the Irish or English subtitles to check your comprehension afterward.
Even better, if you have a smart TV, you can download the TG4 app and watch via devices like Amazon Firestick or Google Chromecast. Enjoying shows like Ros na Rún on a larger screen can be a fantastic and immersive way to learn Irish through exposure.
Raidió na Gaeltachta (www.rte.ie/rnag/)
Raidió na Gaeltachta is Irish language radio. While several radio stations feature Irish content, Raidió na Gaeltachta is particularly valuable because a large portion of its programming is in native Irish. Tune in and listen as you go about your daily activities. Like with TG4, you won’t understand everything initially, but your brain will begin to absorb the unique rhythm, structure, and sounds of the Irish language. This passive listening is a powerful tool in your journey to learn Irish.
Investing a Little: Affordable Resources That Greatly Enhance Your Irish Learning
If you are willing to invest a small amount of money, these self-teaching programs offer exceptional value and can significantly enhance your learn irish efforts right from the start.
Enjoy Irish!
“Enjoy Irish!” is a self-teaching program developed by Oideas Gael, a reputable Irish language and culture organization. It includes a user-friendly textbook and accompanying audio on CD, all for around €15 (approximately $17 USD at the time of writing), plus shipping. While it focuses on the Ulster dialect, most of the grammatical information is applicable across dialects. This is an excellent, affordable resource to learn Irish fundamentals.
Enjoy Irish! at An Siopa Gaeilge
Progress In Irish
“Progress In Irish” is considered an essential resource for any serious student of the Irish language. While it can be used as a self-study course, it is particularly effective for reinforcing and reviewing foundational concepts. It provides a structured and thorough approach to solidify your understanding as you learn Irish.
Progress In Irish at An Siopa Gaeilge
Final Thoughts on Your Journey to Learn Irish
As mentioned at the beginning, Duolingo has its merits and can be beneficial for learners of more widely spoken languages, especially if your goal is basic communication. However, even for these languages, the recent implementation of AI-generated voices raises concerns about accuracy.
For endangered minority languages like Irish, I cannot recommend Duolingo as a primary resource, especially for beginners. The goal when you learn Irish extends beyond mere communication. While practical communication is a benefit, learning Irish is deeply connected to preserving a vital part of Ireland’s cultural heritage and history (tír gan teanga tír gan anam – a land without a language is a land without a soul).
Establishing a strong foundation is crucial when you begin to learn Irish. Investing in quality resources and methods from the outset will pay dividends as you progress, preventing the frustration of unlearning bad habits later. Tús maith leath na hoibre (A good start is half the work).
Slán go fóill,
GG
P.S. Mini Irish Lesson: Understanding “Free” in Irish
A common error among beginners is using the word “saor” to mean “free of charge.” However, “saor” actually means “free” as in “free from bondage” or “cheap” when describing a product.
To accurately say that something costs no money, you must use the term “saor in aisce,” which literally translates to “free of cost/obligation.” This distinction is important to remember as you learn Irish and navigate everyday vocabulary.
In addition to being “The Geeky Gaeilgeoir,” Audrey Nickel is the author of “The Irish Gaelic Tattoo Handbook,” published by Bradan Press. For more information about the book, please visit http://www.bradanpress.com/irish-tattoo-handbook/.
PLEASE NOTE: I am unable to provide translations via this website or email. For translation requests, please visit the Irish Language Forum: WWW.IRISHLANGUAGEFORUM.COM.
