Teach yourself: Scottish Gaelic

[Delbáeth]

Teach yourself: Scottish Gaelic
By Boyd Robertson & Iain Taylor

INTRODUCTION

Fàilte chun na Gàidhlig
Welcome to Gaelic

Scottish Gaelic is one of the six modern Celtic languages. The Celtic languages fall into two groups: Goìdelic and Brythonic. Scottish Gaelic, Irish, and Manx belong to the Goìdelic group and Welsh, Breton, and Cornish to the Brythonic group. Cornish and Manx, however, have come close to extinction this century. Like most other European languages including French, English and Russian, the Celtic languages belong to the Indo-European family of languages, and older versions of the modern Celtic languages were spoken in a large part of Europe at the highest of Celtic civilisation.

Who is this course for?

This course is designed for the absolute beginner, working alone or part of a group, who wishes to communicate with other speakers of the language in everyday situations using functional, practical language. You will learn, among other things, how to give information, carry out a transaction in a shop or a restaurant, ask for directions, express likes and dislikes, make requests or suggestions, express agreement or disagreement, report what someone said and so on. Back ground information about the language and culture of Gaelic-speaking areas is also provided.

There are many reasons for wanting to learn Gaelic. It may be that you want to learn the language out of a general interest in languages. Perhaps you already speak a Celtic language and want to learn another. Your reasons might be to do with family background: you may have been born and brought up over seas but have family roots in Scotland. In some cases Gaelic may be part of your immediate family background, spoken by parents or grandparents or other close relatives and you may have a desire to regain your ancestral language. On the other hand, you may be aware of the importance of the Gaelic element in Scottish history and life and may want to get an insight into the language and its background.

Some will have special interests such as music, literature, hill-walking and sailing and be aware that knowledge of Gaelic would enhance their appreciation of these experiences. The recent growth in Gaelic-speaking television programmes may have aroused your interest and your desire to gain more immediate access to the language rather than rely on subtitles. Or you may have a more practical purpose if you have moved into a Gaelic-speaking area; have a Gaelic-speaking partner or a job in which knowledge of the language would be an advantage.

Whatever your reason for learning the language, this course will equip you with the skills that will make you proficient in the language.

How to use this course

Start with a careful study of the alphabet and pronunciation. Gaelic is very different from English in both terms of sound and written word. It is, therefore, important to devote some time to studying the guidance offered in this section.

Each unit of the course follows the same pattern and has the following elements:

· A summary of what you will learn in the unit.
· Còmhradh (Dialogue): These are based on realistic everyday situations and introduce the main expressions and language structures that you are going to use.
· Faclair (Vocabulary): This gives you all the new words and phrases that occur in the Còmhradh.
· Mìneachadh (Explanation): Certain linguistic points that are featured in Còmhradh are explained in this section. This does not appear in every section.
· Obair (Exercise): Two or three exercises appear in this section. The exercises are normally of the true/false and question/answer variety and are based on the Còmhradh. The exercises are designed to help you find out if you have understood the Còmhradh.
· Abairtean cudromach (Key expressions): The language points listed at the beginning of each unit are expanded on in this section that highlights the key expressions arising in the unit.
· Gràmar (Grammar): Using real examples, this section explains the main grammatical structures used in the Còmhradh. Grammatical terms, although kept to a minimum, are used and explained as clearly as possible.
· Obair eile (Further exercises): These exercises help you practice the vocabulary and grammar in the unit. In this way you can test your own progress and see how to use the words, phrases and language patterns you have learnt. The exercises are a selection of gap-filling, matching, true/false, multiple choice, question/answer, rearranging text and other reading and writing tasks. The correct answers are given in Na Freagairtean (Key to the exercise) at the end of the course.
· Fiosrachadh (Background information): This section (included in Units 1-12 only) provides information about Gaelic language and culture, and about life in the Gaelic-speaking areas. Some new vocabulary is introduced in these sections.

Working through each unit

· Read the list of language points to find out the purpose of the unit.
· Study the Còmhradh and the vocabulary in Faclair.
· Read the explanations given in the Mìneachadh section, where such a section is included.
· Read the Còmhradh again and try to understand it.
· Test your understanding of the Còmhradh by completing Obair. (Check your answers in Na Freagairtean).
· Study the key phrases and expressions given in Abairtean cudromach and try to memorise them.
· Read through the points raised in the Gràmar section.
· Read the Còmhradh again and make sure you understand it.
· Do the exercises in Obair eile. Try to work out the meaning of new words from the context before consulting the vocabulary provided at the end of passages.
· Check your answers in Na Freagairtean and make sure you understand why they are correct.
· If you have difficulty with any of the exercises consult the appropriate part of the Gràmar section and try that exercise again.
· Read the information given in the Fiosrachadh section and note any new vocabulary.

Using the recording

Listening to the recording that is structured in parallel to the units will help your pronunciation and understanding of spoken Gaelic. It contains recordings of the pronunciation guide, the Còmhradh and some additional dialogues.
Start the units by listening to the Còmhradh as you read it. When you have the general meaning listen to it again without looking at the book. Note the pronunciation and intonation of the speakers and try to imitate them sentence by sentence. When you understand the gist of what has been said, read the text and study the new language forms.
Use the recordings as much as possible. Imitating the voices is one of the best ways to develop your pronunciation.

How to learn Gaelic

The following are suggestions for making the most effective use of the course:

· Study new items of vocabulary carefully and make up your own personal dictionary. Arrange the vocabulary by topics such as travel, weather, food and the home.
· Say the new words and phrases aloud and try to use them in meaningful sentences.
· Try to memorise key expressions and constructions.
· Test your learning of new words and expressions repeatedly. You could make up slips of paper or card with each new word or expression on a white slip and its English equivalent (or an appropriate drawing) on a separate coloured slip. Place the slips face down and mix them up. Turn one slip over and think of its English equivalent. Then turn your coloured slip over until you find the correct one. Remove the matching pair and start again.
· Listen to the dialogue and extended passage on the cassette as much as possible, such as on a personal stereo, in the car or working around the house.
· Try not to think in English or your mother tongue, first and then translate into Gaelic. Think in Gaelic from the outset and express yourself with the vocabulary and constructions you have already learnt.

Gaelic websites

The websites given below give information about various matters relating to the language and culture.

www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/alba
www.cli.org.uk
www.ccg.org.uk
www.cnag.org.uk
www.parant.org.uk
www.gaelicbooks.net
www.Feisean.org
www.gaelic-arts.com
www.smo.uhi.ac.uk
www.storlann.co.uk
www.acgamerica.org
www.gaelic.net/novascotia
www.gaeliccollege.edu

Notes: I would appreciate if no one posts until I have gotten round to typing up Lesson 1. Yes, I am typing everything up from a book, so it takes time. I will be acting as Na Freagairtean, so PM when checking your answers etc. Each recording will be given at the end of the appropriate post. A helpful study tip is to have a designated Word Pad set aside for studying the language. Exercises etc.