Now that's what I call an understatement! After all that, I hope you found what you were looking for! If you have any questions, please come back and we'll try not to fight in front of the visitors!!!!

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This relates only to suggestions for translations, not to banter in Irish, etc., of course.

I agree with Redwolf that it is rather impolite of people to go around just dropping in an alternative translation without any explanation. More often than not advanced learners can see that this is a dialect variation but beginners and learners may not.

Adding the codes can have an explanatory effect as to why an alternative translation may have been offered. It helps beginners and learners to sort out the variations if they can see that one is standard and another is dialect, etc.

Dialect awareness is an important step in avoiding the confusion that arises from, say, mixing Ulster-based standard grammar with Connemara-based standard grammar. It is not about dividing the language. It is about increasing awareness of the richness of Irish, so that fewer school-Irish learners go around saying "that's wrong" simply because it wasn't what they learned at school.

A good teacher should be able to explain why two variants exist, not just expound the variant they had beaten into them at school (or home) as the only "correct" form.

As a rule of thumb, if anyone is "not interested in dialect", then it is a pretty fair bet that they are trying to learn or use the "standard" and not a specific dialect. When making a suggestion for a translation such people should put (CO) after the suggestion or indicate that they speak or are learning standard in their signature.

I say "should", but this is a forum, we can only make suggestions. People will no doubt do as they please anyway.

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Múinteoir Gaeilge - Irish Teacher
My "specialty" is Connemara Irish, particularly Cois Fhairrge dialect, but I can also speak Ulster and Munster Irish with native-level pronunciation.
Is fearr Gaeilge ḃriste ná Béarla cliste, cinnte, aċ i ḃfad níos fearr aríst í Gaeilge ḃinn ḃeo na nGaeltaċtaí.
Gaeilge Chonnacht (GC), go háraid Gaeilge Chois Fhairrge (GCF), Gaeilic Uladh (GU), Gaelainn na Mumhan (GM), agus Gaeilge an Chaighdeáin Oifigiúil (CO).

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Íosa Chríost ar neamh a Bhreandáin, but your the finest politician that Ireland never had. Jesus bai, but you can bring all sides to the table with the knowledge that you agree with everyone and everyone agrees with you. You chastise mildly and excoriate invisibly. Nonetheless, your moderation has the great touch of a humanist arbitration. I wish I were so politic. Alas, I am absent of the breadth required. God bless you for putting back together the fire of the raggle taggle gypsies oh! In a world gone mad, are you Foucault? dea-mhéin R

What Rossaí said!

So you do in fact want to change the rules. Let's just be clear about that. At present, the rules do apply to everyone. The rule is that if you diverge from the standard in giving a translation you should say so. I can't see how anything could be clearer than that.

Why do you want 'standard translations' labelled? Fairness - I don't think so. No, because those who offer dialectal translations are asked to label them. i.e. If I have to put up with a perceived inconvenience then everyone should have to. If I break my leg, then everyone should have a broken leg.

The reason I posted the forum rules was to reassert what others had said before about giving extra translations of any kind without comment, following other already agreed translations.

I'll give WeeFalorieMan the last word without reply from me as I've said enough - and I know I've convinced him.

I agree that Breandán has the makings of a great politician. I don't! I enjoy a good argument though - no more and no less.

Yes, unfair rules should be changed. I've said that all along.
I am being clear about that. That's the point that I've been making this whole time.
At present, the rules impose a burden on people who post their answers in an Irish dialect that is not imposed on people who use "standard".
You "can't see how anything could be clearer", but I can – if every post is treated equally and all translations are marked, that is clearer and fairer for everybody.
So now you are accusing me of being dishonest. Shame on you! I think all posts should be treated the same, regardless of whether a suggestion is in an Irish dialect or in "standard"; this should be done for reasons of fairness and clarity.
You certainly don't have a problem with imposing "a broken leg" (to use your analogy) on everyone else who doesn't use "standard". It's amusing that you argue so strongly against having to abide by the same rules that are imposed on speakers of Irish dialects.
And in doing so, you unwittingly pointed out the inherent unfairness of rules that say everyone has to label a suggestion except people who use "standard".
Yes, you have convinced me that YOU think Gaeltacht Irish should be treated as though it is subordinate to "standard". Well, all dialects of Irish are of equal status and are not inferior nor subordinate to "standard".
I sure don't enjoy arguing at all, but I will stand up for Gaeltacht Irish.
[that was pretty dramatic, eh? ]

Simple moderation cannot resolve this discussion. WeeFalorieMan and Scooby must enter mortal combat in the Thunderdrome to determine the victor!

EDIT: I support WeeFalorieMan!

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The dialect I use is Cork Irish.
Ar sgáth a chéile a mhairid na daoine, lag agus láidir, uasal is íseal

I take no side in this debate. Fortunately, I have been with the forum (both this one and the former) long enough to have it sorted who uses what!

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Táim ag foghlaim Gaelainn na Mumhan

Tá fáilte roim nach aon cheartú!
I am a learner. Any translations offered are practice and should not be used unless confirmed.

Finally, a constructive,realistic suggestion!

Go raibh maith agat, a chara!

Well, on behalf of all of us who have chosen to learn Gaeltacht Irish:
Are we not human?
If you prick us, do we not bleed?
If you tickle us, do we not laugh?