The Language Corner - Spring 2022

The Language Corner

Multicultural Club The Multicultural Club has been contining this term with lots of new languages showcased. These included Romanian, Japanese, Bangala and Vietnamese. All students are welcome and this club focuses on the cultural and linguistic diversity of all members of our school community.

The Language Corner

January/February 2022

Teaching in the Multicultural Club

s u w o l l Fo r e t t i w on T

This term Roxy Leonte, one of our 1st Year students, spoke to our multicultural club about all things Romanian. Here Roxy shares her story.

I enjoyed presenting at the multicultural club! I was quite nervous before presenting, but I think that’s understandable. In the end it was so fun introducing everyone to my home-country's language; Romanian. Multicultural club is a really fun place to learn some basic words and greetings in many languages! I definitely recommend going to multicultural club, it is always great fun.

Roxy Leonte, 1st Year, Rang Maebh.

If you would like to present about a culture or language make sure to get in touch with us on Twitter @cbMulticultural. Multicultural club takes place every Thursday in T9 at 8.10am.

Elisa presented to the multicultural club about Vietnamese culture and language.

She tells us about her experience.

I was a bit nervous at first but after I got through the first slide I was fine. I really enjoyed sharing information about my culture to others. Vietnamese is really hard to teach but I think everyone was very good. I think this experience was very good because it was my first time teaching others.

Elisa Phan, 1st Year, Rang Bríde.

January/February 2022

A Focus on Culture Life in Zimbabwaen Society Although the Constitution of the country grants equal rights to both men and women, gender-based discrimination in the country is not uncommon. In villages, reed dances or weddings, some young women do not even were tops, just a skirt necklace and headband.

A married woman covers her entire body to indicate that she is spoken for. She wears a thick cowhide skirt that has been softened with animal fat and charcoal.

Traditionally, women covered their bosom with a cloth, but nowadays cotton vests or beaded bras are worn along with beaded necklaces. The most iconic adornment are circular-shaped hats called izicolo, which are worn by married women.

These hats were traditionally made of grass and cotton and measured as much as a metre across to protect the wearer from the sun. Ndebele men traditionally wear animal skins and feathers. Because the Ndebele view leopards as the king of all predators, only royalty are allowed to wear leopard skin. A front apron (isinene) and a rear apron (ibheshu) are worn to cover the private areas. The tufts of a cow’s tail called amashoba are worn on the upper arms and below the knees to give the appearance of greater bulk. Headbands are only worn by married men.

The Language Corner

January/February 2022

A Focus on culture Life in Zimbabwaen Society Married women wear longer aprons made of hardened skin that are lavishly decorated in geometric designs. They also wear isigolwani and copper rings called idzilla around the neck, ankles and arms. Girls and unmarried women traditionally do not cover their breasts, whereas married women cover their upper bodies with blankets in multi-coloured stripes or beaded designs. Ndebele men wear animal skin aprons and beaded breast-plates or iporiyana which hang from the neck. The iporiyana is a symbol of manhood. Animal skin headbands and ankle bands are also worn along with a cape.

A sample of words in Ndebele Hello = Sawubona (two or more people “Sanibonani”) How are you? = Unjani? (two or more “ ninjani”) I’m fine and how are you? = Ngiyaphila wena unjani What are you doing? = Wenzani I'm very happy today= ngaze ngajabula namhlanje Thank you =Ngiyabonga

By Luthando Mbhele, 6th Year, Rang Aodh

The Language Corner

January/February 2022

Festival Celebrations Chinese New Year

Many members of our school community celebrate Chinese New Year.Here, some of our students tell us about the celebrations.

This year Chinese New Year falls in February.

On Chinese New Year usually all families get together to celebrate. On Chinese New Year people sing traditional songs and people sell traditional foods. In the morning some people go to the temple to pray. In the evening the celebrations continue. Children receive red envelopes and watch a dragon dance. At night the children get lanterns which have beautiful designs on them and they go outside. There are fireworks also at this time of year.

Did you know? Chinese New Year 2022 will fall on 1st February, starting from Chinese New Yea's Eve to the Lantern Festival. Each year is represented by a Chinese Zodiac sign and 2022 is the year of the tiger.

Elisa Phan – 1st Year, Rang Bríde.

我叫董薏萱，是一名高三学生。下个月 就是春节，祝大家新年快乐！春节历史 悠久 是每个中国人都会过的传统新年， 大家也来一起过热闹喜庆的新年吧！ 新 年是家人团聚的日子 大家欢声笑语过新 年 灯火可亲 辞旧迎新 期待着新的一年会 顺顺利利，平安喜乐。今年轮到虎年 祝 每一位虎年大吉 学业进步! 我很期待新年 的到来，希望新的一年新气象，万事胜 意。也最后祝大家新春快乐 诸事顺利 岁 岁平安。许下烟花满四城，新年旦降家 家喜。

By Angela Dong, 6th Year, Rang Aodh.

The Language Corner

The Chinese New Year is the most important festival in China and lasts for 15 days. The day changes every year following the Lunar Calender. It represents the start of Spring and the new year. In 2022, the festival is on the 1st of February- the year of the Tiger. Traditional foods for this day are dumplings, fishes and meat.

People would wear red and families would come together to celebrate and the elderly would give children money in a red envelope. On this day, parents would bring their kids to neighbours and families to send wishes and presents.( ) The neighbours would then give the children money in the red envelopes.( )

拜年

红包

春节快乐，万事如意，心想事成， 身体健康。

By Teresa Dong – 2nd Year, Rang Oisín.

January/February 2022

Festival Celebrations Chinese New Year in Vietnam (Tet in Vietnam) Every year, my family celebrate Chinese New Year, which is often called Tet in Vietnamese together. The traditional cake that is eaten in that day is called “banh trung”. It is often dipped in sugar or honey.

We all wear a traditional dress called “ao dai”, male and female can both wear it but just with slight differences in the designs.

We go to our relatives’ houses and wish them “Happy New Year”, in Vietnamese we say “Chuc Mung Nam Moi”, and to wish someone good luck in their career you say “Chuc lam an may man”. After the wishes exchange, the kids are given “lucky money” from older people in the family.

The money is given in a red envelope.

Vietnamese culture is heavily influenced by Chinese culture. Vietnam adopted many of Chinese culture and holidays because China colonised Vietnam for so many years therefore Tet and Chinese New Year is quite similar, but some of the ways we celebrate it is quite different.

1.

In the zodiac system we have cat instead of rabbit like Chinese zodiac system.

2. The food is different too, as Vietnamese people have their traditional cake ( bánh chưng) and other traditional food (nem, xôi, canh măng, giò,…). And of course, you can’t celebrate Tet holiday’s feast without boiled chicken.

3.

Vietnamese decorate their house with hoa đào (peach blossom tree) or hoa mai (a type of tree with yellow flowers). They don’t usually use red latterns or paper cuttings like Chinese do.

4. On the first day of Tet, we have a tradition called “xông nhà”. We believe that the first visitor of the year will determine the fortune and luck for the entire year, so this person must be selected carefully. Chinese people don’t have this custom.

5.

Also, in China, the lucky money is given to kids by adults. In Vietnam, I’ve seen people giving lucky money to the elderly as well.

6. Chinese people light the firecrackers on New Year. Vietnamese people can’t do that because of the ban on private purchase of firecrackers and fireworks.

By Quyen Nguyen, TYA.

The Language Corner

January/February 2022

Festival Celebrations Sinulog - The Santa Nino Festival Sinulog, also known as the Santo Nino festival is a big religious celebration that takes place every year on the third Sunday of January. This means that Sinulog will take place on Sunday 16th of January 2022. It’s celebrated throughout The Philippines however, the main events usually take place in Cebu.

The festival is celebrated in honour of the Santo Niño (Child Jesus) and is expressed through a ritual dance. The word “Sinulog” is derived from the word “Sulog” which roughly means a movement that is similar to that of a water current and this depicts the forward- backward stepping of the Sinulog dance. In addition, the dance tells a story of the Pagan past of the Filipinos and their acceptance of Christianity.

During the early hours of the morning (around 6am), the fluvial parade takes place. This is a parade which is done with boats.

In the afternoon, there is a solemn procession which is followed by Kaplag.

Kaplag is a smaller festival but is part of the Sinulog celebration. In Kaplag, actors, actresses and students re-enact the historical scene of when the Santo Nino was given to Queen Juana and Raja Humabon in addition to the moment when they were both baptized as Catholics.

The festival is known especially for its colourful costumes and parades but there is so much more that takes place such as various contests like beauty pageants and competitions for dancing or singing! Not only that, but there are also various festival activities such as concerts, cultural shows and street fairs! There is always something for everyone during Sinulog!

Did you know that there is a Santo Niño parade in Dublin too? This parade takes place in Philsborough every year. During the festival, a solemn outdoor procession, a ceremonial Mass and traditional dances take place. People from around the country come to celebrate the nine-day festival in Berkley Road and everyone is welcomed!

By Hailey Palacat, TYD..

The Language Corner

January/Fenruary 2022

Festival Celebrations Winter Solstice

Saint Valentine

The Winter Solstice is the day we have our shortest day and longest night. It usually falls on December 21st or December 22nd just a couple days before Christmas. In December it happens in the Northern Hemisphere and in June in the Southern Hemisphere. Last year Winter Solstice will take place on Tuesday , December 21stat 15:59pm Irish time .

Saint Valentine was born 175 A.D. and died February 14th 269 A.D. Saint Valentine had the power of healing. He is the patron saint of lovers, epileptics, and beekeepers. By some accounts, St. Valentine was a Roman priest and physician who suffered martyrdom during the persecution of Christians by the emperor Claudius II Gothicus about 270 A.D. Saint Valentine was a priest or bishop in Rome, who lived during the third century after Christ.

He was allegedly jailed by Roman emperor Claudius II for his deceit and unwillingness to obey the emperor's orders to stop performing Christian marriages. He was also said to be guilty of helping persecuted Christians.

Saint Valentine's Power of Healing.

One Saint Valentine was supposedly a Roman priest who performed secret weddings against the wishes of the authorities in the third century.

Imprisoned in the home of a noble, he healed his captor's blind daughter, causing the whole household to convert to Christianity and sealing his fate.

By Isabelle Rose O Reilly, 1st Year, Rang Bríde.

The meaning behind the name The term Solstice comes from the Latin word (sol) Sun and (sistere) to stand still because , during the solstice the angle between the Sun rays and the Earth’s equator appears to stand still . Upon the winter solstice, the sun appears at its very lowest point in the sky and continues like this for multiple days .The sun’s gradual decrease in the sky upon winter solstice is marked by many cultures as the re-birth of the Sun ...

By Jore Viliaityte, TYD.

The Language Corner

January/February 2022

Festival Celebrations

St Brigids Day and St Brigids Well, Clondalkin

St Brigid’s Day, or Lá Fhéile Bhríde, takes place on the 1st February each year in Ireland and is one of the quarter festivals celebrated in Irish calendar custom. This quarter day is also known as Imbolc, a word that originates from the ancient term Oímelg, However, Brigid is always connected with farming and the arrival of more clement weather in the form of activities marking the new agricultural season, regrowth and regeneration. For St. Brigid’s day, Christians make crosses because it was believed that they gave blessings and protection to homes, families and farmlands St. Brigid's Well St Brigid’s Well is believed to have been established in the 5th century to baptize Pagans, and was believed to hold healing powers. One belief was that if a young girl dipped a rag or clootie in the water, it would heal any eye ailments. The gates were donated by workers in the paper mills of the 1950’s and the statue was given by Mary O’Toole. In the 1950’s four local men, Paddy Lyons, Jimmy Gallaher, Paddy Mathis and Paddy Kelly, restored the well and made the grotto that encloses the statue. When they were cleaning out the well they found various objects and unusual items.

They found; Medals hammered into the hawthorn tree.

Many coins, one dating back to 1014.

Relics that had been tossed into the waters below.

After the renovation, the community took lots more pride in the well. On St. Brigid’s Days people gathered by the well after dark, sang hymns, and recited the rosary. Many people believed that the water cured ailments, especially eye ones, but also anything including warts. Curing Properties are associated with the well in Clondalkin. The belief is that the water heals eyes and waters was believed by many people.It was believed that you had to put a soaked rag in the shape of a cross, rest it over the ailment area and then hang it on the Hawthorn tree.7 Hail Mary’s, 7 Our Father’s and 7 Glory be to the Father’s will then be recited each for 7 days.

St Brigid' s Well Clondalkin and the rag tree at the well.

The Language Corner

January/February 2022

Festival Celebrations

Visiting St Brigid's Well, Clondalkin

Holy Wells are very common in Ireland with approximately 3,000 present throughout the country. Holy Wells were a place of pilgrimage and many Holy Wells were curative in nature. Worship at Holy Wells was twofold; private devotion for intercession and the more organised pattern days that involved ‘doing the rounds’ Many Holy Wells were located near Rag Trees. A Rag Tree is a tree (often a hawthorn tree) that many people attached ribbons or other personal objects to for curative reasons and private intersessions. St Brigid's Well in Clondalkin has a Rag in close proximity to the well. Here one of our First Year students, Katie Wiliams, tells us about her visit to the well and Rag Tree, with members of the Multicultural Club and Rang Bríde on 1st February, St Brigid;s Day this year.

My Trip to St.Brigid's Well

On February 1st, Saint Brigid’s Day, my tutor group (Rang Bríde) and I visited Saint Brigid’s well on the Boot Road, Clondalkin. We walked down from the school with our tutor, Ms.O’Gorman, and one of our three mentors, Sarah. Saint Brigid’s well is enclosed with a small fence and has beautiful shrines and prayers to her all around the well. We all had a sheet of paper with a Mass reading and a prayer on it to Saint Brigid.

There is a small sign of the well’s history which I read out to the class. It also had the fascinating story of Saint Brigid’s life on the sign too.

Saint Brigid was born in Kildare, and was named after the Pagan goddess, Brid, the god of fire. It is said that the house saint Brigid was born in, burst into flames after she, as a newborn baby, left it. She was brought up well educated and they also said that as a child she was very saint-like.

We had a look around the well which has a beautiful grass part which flowers are planted in regularly. It is said that years ago, babies that had passed without being baptised were buried by the well. The exact location is unknown but people believe it could be the part of the well with the well with the grass. These babies were buried here because one of the thing Saint Brigid is patron saint of is children with unmarried parents and unbaptised babies.

After a little while we decided to head back to school as it started to rain. Our trip to Saint Brigid’s well was very special and we were so privileged we got to go.

Rang Bríde visiting St. Brigid's Well, Clondalkin on St.Brigid's Day.

The Language Corner

By Katie Williams, 1st Year, Rang Bríde.