Why Is the Irish Language Not Written Like It’s Pronounced?

“When Words Don’t Sound Like They Look”
Welcome to our language series where we explore why some languages are written one way but spoken another. From Irish to French, English to Tibetan, we’ll uncover the history, quirks, and beauty behind confusing spellings around the world.

Have you ever looked at an Irish word like “Mhuirnín” and wondered how it ends up sounding like “WUR-neen”? If so, you’re not alone. Many people are surprised that Irish (Gaeilge) spelling and pronunciation don’t always match the way they would expect—especially if they come from English or other European languages with more phonetic spelling systems.

So, why is Irish not written the way it sounds? Let’s break it down.

1. Irish Uses a Historical Spelling System

Irish spelling reflects how words were pronounced centuries ago. Like many old languages, Irish kept its traditional spelling rules even though pronunciation has changed over time. This means the way a word is spelled often shows its linguistic history, not how it’s said today.

Example:
“Bean” (woman) is pronounced “ban” — the spelling comes from Old Irish.

2. It Follows Its Own Phonetic Rules

Irish does have rules. They’re just different from English. Once you learn the patterns, Irish spelling becomes much more predictable. The alphabet is based on 18 letters, and combinations of consonants and vowels follow specific pronunciation rules.

For example:

• “bh” often sounds like “v” or “w”

• “mh” can sound like “v”, “w”, or even “m” depending on its position

• “ea”, “ai”, or “ui” may look confusing but have set sounds based on nearby letters

3. Consonant Harmony Is Key

Irish uses a system called consonant harmony, or broad and slender consonants. This means consonants change their sound depending on which vowels surround them. This helps preserve the rhythm and flow of the language, but it also makes pronunciation harder for beginners.

• Slender vowels: e, i

• Broad vowels: a, o, u

Example:
“cath” (battle) is pronounced “ka”
“ceath” (from “ceathair” = four) is pronounced “kyah”

4. Spelling Shows Meaning and Grammar

Irish spelling also reflects grammar. Prefixes, suffixes, and mutations (like adding “h” after a consonant) help show how words change depending on case, number, or gender. These changes may not affect pronunciation drastically, but they are crucial for meaning.

Example:

• “Scoil” (school)

• “Mo scoil” (my school)

• “A scoil” (his school)

• “A chuid scoile” (his part of the school)

You’ll notice “scoil” may look the same, but its pronunciation or usage changes with grammar.

5. It Was Standardized Only Recently

The modern spelling system used in schools today—called An Caighdeán Oifigiúil—was introduced in the 20th century to simplify things. But it still respects many older spellings and doesn’t completely erase the historic quirks. This makes the language rich in heritage, but also tricky to read without practice.

Conclusion: It’s Not Broken—It’s Just Different

Irish isn’t spelled “wrong.” It just follows a different logic than English. Once you learn the rules, the spelling actually becomes a guide to correct pronunciation, grammar, and even word origins. That’s why language learners often fall in love with Irish, even though it may seem hard at first.

Stick with it, and you’ll start seeing the beauty behind the complexity.