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Language The Irish Republic's first official language is Irish Gaelic (Gaelige) - referred to as 'Irish' - member of the Celtic language family. The last ten years have seen a resurgence of interest in Irish, now promoted by Bord na Gaelige (the Irish Language Board) and taught at several Dublin universities. Irish children are taught Irish throughout their schooling career and must sit (but not necessarily pass) Irish during their leaving certificate. While only 35% of adults in Ireland profess a knowledge of Irish, the language spills over into Dubliners' English. The eighteen-letter Irish alphabet has no 'th' sound; thus 'three' becomes 'tree'. Dublin accents vary from that of a gurrier (said to have derived from 'guerrier' or 'fighter') to the Dortspeak (from the area served by the DART trains) - the 'refined' drawl of Trinity College students. Phrases Yes - Sea No - Ní hea Hello - Dia dhuit Goodbye - Slán agat / Slán leat Please - Más é do thoil é / Le do thoil Thank you - Go raibh maith agat My name is... - is ainm dom How are you? - Conas tá tú? / Cén chaoi a bfhuil tú? / Caidé mar atá tú? I'm very well - Tá mé go hanmhaith I feel ill - Tá tinneas orm How much does it cost? - An mó atá air? / Cé mhéid air seo? Do you speak English? - An labhrann tú Béarla? I don't understand - Ní thuigim Where is ...? - Cá bfhuil ...? Entrance - Bealach isteach Exit - Éalú Danger - Baol Open - Oscailte Closed - Dúnta Toilets - Seomra folctha Doctor - Dochtúir Hotel - Óstan Restaurant - Bialann Beer - Beoir Wine - Fíon Menu - Biachlár Today - Inniu Tomorrow -Amárach Monday - Dé Luain Tuesday - Dé Máirt Wednesday - Dé Céadaoin Thursday - Dé Déardaoin Friday - Dé hAoine Saturday - Dé Sathairn Sunday - Dé Domhnaigh One - Aon Two - Dó Three - Trí Four - Ceathair Five - Cúig Six - Sé Seven - Seacht Eight - Ocht Nine - Naoi Ten - Deich Twenty - Fiche Thirty - Triocha Forty - Daichead Fifty - Caoga Sixty - Seasca Seventy - Seachtó Eighty - Ochtó Ninety - Naocha One Hundred - Céad One Thousand - Míle |