It's about fairness and clarity. If everyone identifies which form of Irish is being used, that would certainly clarify things, don't you think? When a person doesn't identify which form of Irish they are using, you don't know if they are using "standard" or if they just forgot to mention which dialect they're using. I'm sure it would not be an undue burden for users of "standard" to abide by the same rules as everyone else.
I was under the impression that all dialects of Irish are of equal merit, and "standard" was not considered to be "superior" nor was it ever intended to replace Gaeltacht Irish.

And of course, if all forms of Irish are of equal merit, they should be treated equally, I think.

I posted "Comhghairdeachas leat" the other day, and I noticed that Bríd Mhór also said "Comhghairdeachas". Then I saw Redwolf's post and noticed that she said "Comhghairdeas", so I looked it up in the dictionary and found out that Redwolf is using the "standard" version of that word. I certainly wouldn't want to research everything that I post and check if it matches "standard". Of course, I could put a little note at the bottom of all of my posts that says I'm learning/using Munster irish, but of course, everyone else should do the same for the purpose of clarity, right?

As a group, we should use the fairest and clearest method to communicate. If it is the policy of this forum that everyone should say which form of Irish they are using, then that rule should apply to everyone, I think. This would prevent any confusion and satisfy the requirements of fairness and clarity. What do you think, Breandán?

I think there are enough rules already without you proposing more!

Domhnall

_________________
Ultach mé agus Gaeilg Uladh a labhraim go measardha maith!

I'm not proposing more rules, I'm proposing that everyone should abide by the existing rules – without giving a special exception for "standard".

Firstly, this is not a huge issue for me and if there is a consensus agreeing with WeeFalorieMan then so be it. I stick by my opinion as outlined before and won't bother restating it.

I too would like to abide by the existing rules. The CO is not an exception - it is the standard here and elsewhere for the written language. That's not saying it's superior to anything - far from it. If it's about people forgetting to label their translations properly, then adding another label won't help.

Yes, you would like to abide by the existing rules because the rule that says we should state which form of Irish we are using, does not apply to you. It's easy to support rules that you are exempt from following. Why shouldn't the rules apply to everyone?

Hey wait a minute, I thought your main concern was clarity? If every person attaches a comment that identifies which form of Irish they are using (with no exceptions), that would clarify things nicely for everyone.

As I've said before, I think people should state what form of Irish their suggestions are intended to be in.

I agree with WFM that this should also apply to CO suggestions, though in my case I would say it is more for clarity, as Scooby said.

It might also make a few people think about whether what they are offering is "standard" or dialect, rather than assuming anything goes. And if it is stated to be in standard, then it can be corrected as such, and if in dialect then it can be left for those skilled in that dialect to discuss.

I try (admittedly not perfectly) to mark my own suggestions as either CO or dialect, mainly because I have stated in my signature that I may give either or both, and I like to make it clear which I am giving.

_________________
Múinteoir Gaeilge - Irish Teacher
My "specialty" is Connemara Irish, particularly Cois Fhairrge dialect, but I can also speak Ulster and Munster Irish with native-level pronunciation.
Is fearr Gaeilge ḃriste ná Béarla cliste, cinnte, aċ i ḃfad níos fearr aríst í Gaeilge ḃinn ḃeo na nGaeltaċtaí.
Gaeilge Chonnacht (GC), go háraid Gaeilge Chois Fhairrge (GCF), Gaeilic Uladh (GU), Gaelainn na Mumhan (GM), agus Gaeilge an Chaighdeáin Oifigiúil (CO).

How about I simply add something to my signature saying "I have no idea what dialect I'm using; I'm just using Irish as I learned it"? I've heard that word pronounced both ways, but I've only ever seen it spelled "Comhghairdeas," so that's what I wrote. I seriously do NOT want to have to get involved in dialect wars every time I offer someone congratulations (or, for that matter, when I offer a translation). If a poster wants a particular dialect that's one thing, but if a particular dialect isn't requested, I really don't think we need to make a huge deal about it. I DO think it's a good idea, when offering an alternative to what someone else has posted, to explain what makes yours different (for example "what X posted would be what is usually used in Connemara; what I'm offering is typical of Donegal" or "X used a modern spelling; what I'm offering is an older form")...not only for the sake of clarity, but out of respect for the person who offered the previous translation (otherwise posting something new reads like a correction).

Most people who come here for translations are not going to be too worried about dialect, frankly. And, to be honest, I don't think we're doing the language any favors by getting too worked up about it ourselves.

Redwolf

Well, this is certainly not a burning issue to me. The only reason I even said anything at all about this, was because someone posted the "Forum Rules" and then said (in accordance with those rules) that everyone, except for the people who use "standard", has to post which dialect is being used. That's when I disagreed and then defended my position. I don't think that anyone should get involved in dialect wars every time something is posted. All I've been saying on this thread is that everyone should be treated the same way, regardless of which dialect they are using. What's wrong with that?

Fair play to ye all I missed the craic that only passionate learners and speakers of our language can engage in. I'll tag my further entries with GM if it helps although to be fair Gaelainn na Mumhan is the standard in Munster Universities as well as Munster Gaeltachtaí. The Caighdeán is like a retarded third cousin found in the fifties after too much poitín, forever trying to become a spoken language and only succeeding In Vodafone adds. I mean whoever says..."Conas atá tú?" Should I tag further the dialectic differences between Blasket Irish, Dúnchaoin Irish, Paróiste Mórach Irish, Déise Irish, Muscraí Irish etc? Only kidding!!! (This message was brought to ye in Cork English)

Many thanks for all your replies - one thing for sure I've certainly got you talking!!!

Tks for help