Is fearr Gaeilge bhriste, ná Béarla cliste.
Is fearr Gaeilge bhriste, ná Béarla cliste.
Broken Irish is better than clever English.
Note: Although somewhat chauvinistic, this seanfhocal is acceptable in polite company because it rhymes so nicely.
Note also: The Irish word for the English Language is Béarla. Unlike most other cases, the name of the language (Béarla) is not based on the name of the country (Sasana). It is said that the word ‘Béarla’ was originally ‘béalra’ meaning literally ‘mouth speak’ or gibberish. But, that’s enough said on the subject.
