* It's not a single, unified dialect: Anglo-Irish encompasses a range of features, some found in various Irish English dialects, some unique, and some influenced by the Irish language. It's more like a collection of features than a distinct dialect.
* It's not purely "non-standard": Some Anglo-Irish features are considered non-standard by some, but others are simply regional variations.
* It's influenced by social factors: The term often applies to the speech of the Anglo-Irish elite, reflecting historical and cultural influences.
Here's a breakdown:
* Regional variations: Many Anglo-Irish features are simply regional variations of English, like the use of "a" for "on" ("I'm a the bus") or the pronunciation of "th" as "f" ("fink" for "think"). These are also common in other parts of Ireland and the UK.
* Irish language influence: Some features, like the use of certain grammatical structures or vocabulary, directly reflect Irish language influence.
* Sociolinguistic factors: Anglo-Irish is associated with a specific social group, and its use can mark social class or identity.
Conclusion:
"Anglo-Irish" is a complex linguistic phenomenon that reflects the rich history of English in Ireland. It's not simply a non-standard dialect, but rather a collection of features influenced by regional, historical, and social factors. It's important to note that language variation is natural and that there's no single "correct" way to speak English.