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Connecting Through Music

Donal_McConnan

GIFT OF THE GAB

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Ireland is indeed a nation of talkers. The “gift of the gab” is considered the highest virtue and anyone with a talent for storytelling, competitive banter or clever wordplay is bound to be very popular. In fact, those who refuse to participate in the never-ending conversation are often accused of being eccentric or anti-social.

Your First Day 

THE IRISH PUB

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If conversation is the number one sport in Ireland, then the Irish pub is the official playing field. In any traditional Irish pub, you will find great opportunities to participate in the craic even if you are an introvert.

One of the best opportunities presents itself during a traditional Irish music session. During these sessions, often shy individuals communicate in ways most of us, who aren’t familiar with the nuanced vernacular of the tunes, will never fully understand. They are communicating on a level beyond language.

Applauded and welcomed by everyone in the room, their music adds depth and vibrancy to conversations. Unfortunately, not everyone has the technical skills to participate in this wonderful tradition of musical conversation.

Musicians often train from a very young age. Those struggling to make a sweet sound on their instrument will only be tolerated for a while. So what can we do?

 CONNECTING WITH OTHERS

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One of our primary objectives as language learners is strengthening our bonds within a new community and hopefully the wider world. No doubt, gaining an appropriate level of proficiency at speaking can open up a vast universe of experience and insights which would not have been accessible if you hadn’t been able to converse with native speakers.

I am always fascinated to observe how some students with only a few words of English manage to achieve a higher level of connectivity with other students and teachers than fellow students with an impressively wide vocabulary.

Some even overcome cultural and linguistic boundaries in bold and creative ways, forging deeper connections than native speakers.

As an English teacher at Atlantic Language, loving the English language is a prerequisite. I am always in awe of effective non-verbal communication or connection incorporating words, movement, and music.

MUSICAL CONVERSATION

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In the video “Do You Speak Bell?” I open this musical conversation with everyone. I show that we do not need to focus so heavily on our command of the language to make connections with people.

Though neither of us says a word, and neither is an impressive bell player, the exchange between myself and the stranger bears all the characteristics of effective communication; fluidity, patience, responsiveness and fun.

Yes, we are here to learn English, but I believe it is equally important to become aware of the resources we have inside to be heard, understood and appreciated.

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Donal McConnan