Fòram na Gàidhlig

GunChleoc wrote: I recommend that you don't mix the two languages as a beginner - it will only confuse you. You wouldn't try learning French and Spanish at the same time, now would you? Don't let the similarity of the languages' names fool you.

Best join http://www.daltai.com/, they will be in a much better position to help you

Thanks for the suggestion!

Halò everyone,

Is mise Tom Lee, tha mi à Atlanta, Georgia. Tha mi toilichte ur coinneachadh.

I am a beginner still struggling with where to start. There are few opportunities to learn here in Georgia. Although Skype and other internet options exist, I learn best speaking in-person. There are no opportunities to speak with fluent speakers here.

The starting point I've chosen is "Scottish Gaelic in Twelve Weeks," by Ian MacAonghuis and Roibeard ' Maolalaigh. But retention is an issue.

Has anyone found learning the phonetics of Scottish Gaelic helpful as an early step to achieve fluency? I've found with German and Japanese that once I understand how words and sentences sound, learning how to speak is easier.

Does anyone have any tips for beginners (with no access to fluent speakers)?

It is a pleasure to meet others interested in learning the language. I love the sound of ghaidhlig, its history, and the idea of keeping a beautiful and important language alive.

Tioraidh,
Tom

Fàilte chridheil ort!

Yes, starting with the sounds is an excellent idea. Understanding how they are organized is very important for understanding the grammar and orthography. Have a look at http://akerbeltz.org/index.php?title=Pr ... _dhuilleag for a description of the sound system. The same author has also written a book that is a lot more in-depth with exercises http://www.akerbeltz.eu/books.html.

For native speaker access, you could try a long-distance course with http://gaelicacademy.ca/ or http://smo.uhi.ac.uk/. There is also an American ogranization that might be able to help you http://www.acgamerica.org/.

Tapadh leibh! I think "Blas na Gàidhlig" will be my next investment. Very good reviews online, and includes sound files. And it merits your attention.

Torn b/w Sabhal Mòr Ostaig and AGA. On one hand, AGA appears to be less expensive, but on the other Sabhal Mòr Ostaig is based in the Highlands as opposed to Canada. Is there a dialect difference b/w ghaidhlig taught at a Canadian institution and Skye? I wouldn't know. Inclined towards Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, but suspect a negligible difference b/w the two.

In any case, mòran taing!

Tom

You will always be faced with different dialects, and which one you get always depends on your particular teacher. So, pick what's more convenient for you

"S mise Seumas. Tha mi a' fuireach ann an Kentucky anns na S. A. Agus tha mi toilichte a bheil an fòram sin againn.

Fàilte, a Sheumais!

Tha sinn toilichte d' fhaicinn an seo.

Nach sgrìobh thu rudeigin anns na fòraman?

We're happy to see you here. Won't you write something in the forums?

Fàilte chridheil ort!

Hi all, to my shame I’ve sorta kinda almost lost my spoken Gaelic ... long story but in essence was actively discouraged from speaking it by my parents ... That said when I was with my grandparents that is all I spoke ...
I have enjoyed reading the posts on here as it does make me think “how would I say that” if that “ I hope that makes sense
Anyways I can sympathise with some of the learners from here as to pronunciation and dialects as I do have a dialect lol and where I am now they know as soon as I speak I’m not from here lol... the older folks usually can place me and it make me smile ... as they usually say he speaks funny Gaelic lol ...
sorry for the ramble but I have noticed that there are a few post on dialect etc ... I did at first get very confused until my ear got in tune with the different pronunciation lol
Anyways to all learners keep plugging away and don’t get hung up on which is right and which is wrong as there is no right and wrong (ok in grammar there is lol) just remember that very many native speakers are that speakers and might not read or write Gaelic ...

Fàilte, a Ghreum66!

Great that you're finding your way back to what you had in your early years.

And that's a good reminder, about native-speakers not always being very confident with reading and writing - that does indeed make them understandably wary of eager learners, as some on here have noted.

Cum ort!

Fàilte chridheil ort is mòran taing airson a' bhrosnachaidh

Halo a h-uile duine,

Is mise Mairead. Tha mi ag ionnasachadh Gaidhlig ann an Dun Eideann. Chan eil ach beagan Gaidhlig agam.

I will work out how to add the accents later

Fàilte chridheil ort!

For the accents, look here: http://www.igaidhlig.net/en/category/accented-letters/

You might also enjoy the bothan events: http://duneideann.net/Bothan.html

Mòran taing!

'S e do bheatha