Do People Speak English In Ireland? – 5 Reasons Why

A lot of people ask me, do people speak English in Ireland? The answer is yes, but it can be slightly different than the English you’re used to hearing in America.

Yes, people in Ireland do speak English. It is the predominant language spoken throughout the country. Let’s explore this in detail.

Do People Speak English In Ireland?

Official Language Of Ireland

However, while English is the predominant language spoken in Ireland. Several other languages are also used in the country.

According to the 2016 census, 70,473 people speak Polish as their main language. While 36,132 people reported speaking Lithuanian.

There are also significant numbers of people who speak French (19,155). Other languages include German (14,662), Spanish (13,636), and Russian (9,696).

5 Reasons Why English Is Spoken In Ireland

Although English is the predominant language spoken in Ireland. There are several reasons why this may be the case.

There are several reasons why people speak English in Ireland.

First, English became the dominant language due to the British colonization of Ireland.

Second, since Ireland is part of the British Isles. There has been a strong influence from the English language.

Irish people have been migrating to England and other English-speaking countries for centuries.

As a result, many have become fluent in English.

More people from non-English speaking countries are moving to Ireland in recent years. As a result, English has become more prevalent.

1. Ireland Has Been A British Colony:

Since Ireland has been a colony of England, the English language has been widely spoken there.

Consequently, English is the official language of Ireland.

However, that does not mean that everyone in Ireland speaks English. Two other languages spoken in Ireland are also official: Irish and Gaelic.

2. Ireland Is A Part Of The British Isles:

The British Isles is an archipelago with Great Britain. And Ireland islands and over six thousand smaller isles.

Together, these islands comprise the sovereign states of the United Kingdom. Including Ireland, several Crown dependencies, and British Overseas Territories.

3. Irish People Migrating To England:

The Irish have been migrating to England for centuries. Language has been significant in these movements.

Until the 17th century, most people from Ireland spoke Irish as their first language.

By the early 21st century, a small minority of people in Ireland spoke Irish as their first language.

4. Immigrants Moving To Ireland:

Since 2002, with Ireland’s entry into the European Union. There has been an increase in the number of immigrants living in Ireland.

While most of these new residents come from other EU countries. Many immigrants are also from non-EU countries.

In 2006, over half a million immigrants were living in Ireland. And the number increased of over 150% since 2002.

If current trends continue, immigrants will make up 20% of the Irish population by 2025.

Many immigrants living in Ireland are from countries where English is the predominant language. Such as the UK, USA, Canada, and Australia.

As a result, many people assume that most immigrants are fluent in English.

However, this is not always the case. While most immigrants have some English proficiency level. Many still learn the language and may not be completely fluent.

This can sometimes lead to difficulties when trying to communicate with Irish people. As they may not be able to understand everything that is being said.

5. Globalization:

With the globalization of the world economy. The English language has become increasingly important.

As a result, Ireland’s English speakers have increased dramatically in recent years.

Role Of English In The Education System Of Ireland

In Ireland, all schools teach English as a first language.

However, the method and amount of time spent on teaching English may differ from school to school.

In some schools, for example, more time gets spent teaching English in the junior years. While in others, more time is spent in the senior years.

The primary aim of the education system is. To provide each child with the opportunity to develop their fullest potential.

Also, to equip each child with the skills and knowledge. Especially the attitudes necessary for living in society.

In recent years, a second aim got added that equips students with the skills. Those are necessary to gain employment to participate in a competitive workplace.

For those skills, learning the English language is important. As English is becoming a global lingua franca.

What Percentage Of Irish People Speak English?

In recent years, English has become the main language spoken in Ireland.

According to a study by Trinity College Dublin. 62 percent of people in the Republic of Ireland say they use English as their first language.

That is up from 50 percent in 2006. In Northern Ireland, 96 percent of people surveyed said. They used English as their first language.

How Widely Spoken Is English In Ireland?

English is the main language spoken in Ireland.

In the 2006 census, 1.56 million people in the Republic of Ireland (92%) could speak English.

While 75,000 (4.2%) indicated that they could not speak English.

A significant number of people living in Ireland have some ability to speak English. But their first language is not English, totaling 111,273 people or 6% of the population.

Tips For English Speakers While Traveling To Ireland

1. Don’t Assume Everyone Speaks English:

Finally, remember that even though most Irish people speak English. There is still a chance that they may also know another language.

The languages spoken in Ireland include Irish (Gaelic), Welsh, and Scottish Gaelic. So if you know any of these languages, don’t be afraid to use them!

Final Thoughts:

So, if you plan on visiting Ireland and wonder. Do people speak English in Ireland? Yes, people in Ireland do indeed speak English!

However, as we have seen, there is much more to it. The English language spoken in Ireland is the influence of hundreds of years of history.

As a result, it has developed into something unique.

So next time you find yourself in Ireland. Don’t get surprised if you hear some words and phrases that you’ve never heard before. They’re just a part of the local dialect!