Social networking, as Gaeilge arrives

A new social network catering to Irish speakers has just gone online. The world’s first social network exclusively dedicated to a minority language, Abair Leat! aims to promote the Irish language but providing a forum for users to network, generate and share user generated content as Gaeilge.

Abair Leat! uses custom software that checks the percentage of Irish language content in all updates and posts. The network will be extremely useful for student with built in translation and spell check support. The site is also intended to be a way for students to interact with each other in Irish in preparation for their Leaving Cert or college examinations.

The idea was developed by Irish college Coláiste Lurgan in Galway, where the teaching staff wished to work with enable students to prepare for a cúrsa Gaeilge on their home PCs. From there it was taken on by Web designers Block 5 Design.

Abair Leat! aims to have up to 50,000 users by the end of 2012.

TechCentral Reporters

Read More: Social networks