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Dictionary of sport

Aims

The principal objective of this project is to create an English-Irish/Irish-English dictionary of sports terms.

This dictionary will serve the needs of a large number of both Irish language learners and speakers. Listed below are some of the groups and organisations that regularly use Irish when discussing sporting events:

  • Players and sports events coordinators for different clubs and associations, especially in the Gaeltacht, Gaelscoileanna and Irish colleges.
  • TG4, RnaG, RTÉ, independent broadcasters and the print and online media who discuss sports such as hurling, tennis, motor racing, horse racing, greyhound racing, cycling, soccer and snooker.
  • GAA and other organisations.
  • Writers and translators of textbooks or of Irish primary and secondary school syllabuses. Those responsible for the provision of signs and notices in schools, universities and other locations.

Results

The purpose of this dictionary is to supply contemporary sports terminology for popular sports. Research is being carried out on the terminology that is already available in these different areas and new terms are, of course, also being coined.

The aim of the dictionary is to create wide-ranging terminology resources that will provide suitable terms for sports discussions or commentaries. The main focus will be on the following sports: archery; athletics (combined events); athletics (jumping events); athletics (throwing events); athletics (track events); badminton; baseball; basketball; bowls; bowling; boxing; caving; cricket; cue sports (billiards); cycling; diving; equestrian sport; fencing; field hockey; fishing; Gaelic football and international rules football; golf; greyhound racing; gymnastics; handball; horse racing; hurling and camogie; ice hockey; kayaking / canoeing; martial arts; motor racing; mountaineering; Olympic handball; orienteering; polo; rock climbing; rugby; shooting; skiing; snorkelling; soccer; squash; surfing; swimming; table tennis; tennis; volleyball; water polo; weightlifting.

The following areas will be included for every sport: facilities and equipment; international competitions; national competitions; governing bodies; rules and refereeing; techniques and tactics.

There are many terms that are common to the area of sport as a whole. The main areas included here are: health and common injuries; drug testing; regulations; types of stretches and exercises; sports recognised by the International Olympic Committee as well as other high profile and important sports; names of the main sports organisations, international and national governing bodies and the major national and international competitions.

Organisations involved

Fiontar are managing the project in conjunction with an Coiste Téarmaíochta (Terminology Committee). We are also extremely grateful to the following people and organisations that have helped out with the project:

Methodology

The following stages are involved in the development of the sports terminology:

  • Gathering and organising English terms.
  • Research on the Irish resources.
  • Discussion with experts.
  • Approval by an Coiste Téarmaíochta (Terminology Committee).
  • As the terms are approved, they will be inputted into the Focal database.

Take Part!

If you would like to get in contact with us regarding sports terminology, write to us at focloirspoirt@dcu.ie. We would also love to hear from you if you have any expert knowledge about Irish terms for particular sports.

Sonraí téarmaíochta: © 2006 Foras na Gaeilge
Réiteach teicniúil: © 2006 Fiontar