Why Is the Irish Language Not Written Like It’s Pronounced-2 It’s Not Broken—It’s Just Different
Irish spelling isn’t broken. It simply works differently than English. Because it follows its own rules, it can feel confusing at first. However, once you learn the patterns, the spelling becomes helpful. It shows you how to pronounce words, use correct grammar, and understand where words come from. For this reason, many learners grow to love the language. Yes, it feels unfamiliar at the start—but with time, it begins to make sense.
To get you started, here is a pronunciation chart.
It explains common Irish letter combinations using English-like sounds.
Irish Pronunciation Quick Guide
| Irish Letters | Approximate Sound | Example (Irish) | Sounds Like (English) |
|---|---|---|---|
| bh (initial) | v or w | bhfuil | “will” or “vwill” |
| mh (initial) | v or w | mo mháthair | “voh WA-heer” |
| ch | hard “kh” (like German “Bach”) | oíche | “EE-kheh” |
| dh / gh | soft “y” or throaty “gh” | mo dhoras | “muh YUR-us” or “muh GHR-us” |
| ea (before slender) | short a as in “cat” | bean | “ban” |
| ai (varies) | short i or long i | aimsir | “AM-sher” |
| io | short i or “uh” | fios | “fiss” |
| ua | oo-uh or “oo-a” | duais | “DOO-ish” |
| eo | like “o” in “note” | beo | “byoh” |
| aigh / oigh | pronounced like “ee” | oíche | “EE-heh” |
| th | like English “h” | áthas | “AW-hus” |
| fh | silent | fhear | “ar” (not “far”) |
Vowel Harmony (Broad vs. Slender)
Slender vowels: e, i
Broad vowels: a, o, u
Consonants surrounded by:
-
Slender vowels = slender consonant (palatalized, like adding a ‘y’ sound)
→ ceol = “kyohl” -
Broad vowels = broad consonant (velarized, fuller or ‘harder’ sound)
→ cath = “kah”Sample Words
-
Dia duit – “DEE-uh gwit” (Hello)
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Go raibh maith agat – “Guh rev mah a-gut” (Thank you)
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Slán – “Slawn” (Goodbye)
-
Máthair – “MAW-her” (Mother)
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Oíche mhaith – “EE-heh wah” (Good night)
Conclusion
Irish spelling follows its own rules. That’s why it looks so different from how it sounds. However, this system is consistent. Each letter group has a purpose. For example, vowel pairs often shape the sound of nearby consonants. As you learn these rules, pronunciation becomes easier. So instead of guessing, you start recognizing clear patterns. This makes reading and speaking Irish more reliable over time.