Bríd Ní Ghruagáin, Guidelines on the pronunciation of Irish in Twentieth and Twenty-first Century Classical Song (MA, Dublin Institute of Technology, 2013)

This dissertation centres on a study of the correct pronunciation of the Irish language in classical song. It is shown that very few Irish classical singers are performing in Irish today and it can be assumed that their lack of fmailiarity with the language may be the biggest obstacle.

The importance of the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as an invaluable tool for singers approaching material in new languages is illustrated. The main differences in pronunciation between the three main dilects of Irish are highlighted and the Irish alphabet is transcribed giving the relevant IPA symbols and comparative sounds in languages familiar to most singers.

Putting this transcription into practice, songs are chosen from the Appendices and translations and IPA transcriptions are provided, with these texts read aloud on a CD accompanying this study. A newly composed song cycle by Colm Ó Foghlú 'Idir Scáth is Solas' is also translated and transcribed with notes on the importance of performance in the correct dialect supporting and illustrating earlier points. The cycle is read, and sung, on the accompanying CD.

Conversations with composers working through Irish underline the need to undertake such a study and provide the opportunity to test its findings in the field in the future.