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Topical words that aren't in the books

Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2015 1:23 am
by CeitidhR
Please pardon my writing in English. I am just not adept enough yet to ask these questions writing them in Gàidhlig.

As I mentioned in my introduction, I am getting ready to take my fourth trip to Scotland in a month, and will be in the Western Isles for half the time. I appreciate any help any of you can give me with these questions, tapadh leibh:

I feel confident enough to order my leth pinnit lagair, but how would I ask the bartender for a recommendation for a local brew?

I can order my cupa cofaidh le bainne, but ciammar a chanas mi "decaf"?

And, ciammar a chanas mi "I am a vegetarian"?

Again, tapadh leibh!!

Re: Topical words that aren't in the books

Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2015 8:48 am
by Níall Beag
Chan eil facal ann air "decaf". You could say "gun caffeine", I suppose, but I'd stick with "decaf" personally.

There are two words for vegetarian in the ductionaries -- glasraichear and feòil-sheachnair (meat-shunner). However, they're not that common, so you might be better saying "I don't eat meat" -- "chan ith mi an fheòil"/"Chan ith mi feòil." (The first is literally "the meat", and this is a conservative form -- as I understand it, traditionally, Gaelic used the article when talking about a category like this, much as many mainland European languages do. However, the English-like pattern has become so common these days that I should have just written the second one. I'm just in a mood for giving complete (too much?) information.)

(Edited fro Akerbeltz's correction below.)

Re: Topical words that aren't in the books

Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2015 3:00 pm
by CeitidhR
Thanks so much!!

(Sorry, I had to step away.)
Thank you, I appreciate your depth of information.
I am hoping that "decaf" is an international word! ;)

Re: Topical words that aren't in the books

Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2015 6:05 pm
by akerbeltz
an fheòil, feòil is feminine, grammatically

Re: Topical words that aren't in the books

Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2015 6:19 pm
by CeitidhR
I am sorry that I don't have enough grammar yet to be certain of this...
would the full sentence then be:
"Chan ith an fheòil." ?

Re: Topical words that aren't in the books

Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2015 7:16 pm
by poor_mouse
Chan ith mi an fheòil.

Re: Topical words that aren't in the books

Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2015 7:27 pm
by CeitidhR
Tapadh leibh!
Chan ith mi an fheòil. (this will be my new mantra ;))

Re: Topical words that aren't in the books

Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2015 9:54 pm
by GunChleoc
Ad don't forget the lenition: gun chaffeine ;)

Re: Topical words that aren't in the books

Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2015 10:29 pm
by CeitidhR
Yes! That one I was aware of, and thanks for the reminder!
Being aware of it doesn't mean I'd remember it "in the moment"

Re: Topical words that aren't in the books

Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2015 5:31 pm
by GunChleoc
That's completely natural - there is too much to remember at the same time ;)

Re: Topical words that aren't in the books

Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2015 7:33 pm
by CeitidhR
The hardest part of learning is that I have no one with whom to speak it. Practice makes perfect. Sigh.

Re: Topical words that aren't in the books

Posted: Tue Aug 11, 2015 11:13 pm
by faoileag
That's what Skype is for. 8-)

There's a quietish thread on here with Skype contact names - just send of a few messages to them and see what that throws up: http://www.foramnagaidhlig.net/foram/vi ... =33&t=2262

As you are in US, try to make contact with other Gaelic speakers and learners via the ACGA forum and resources section. http://www.acgamerica.org/

There's a Michael McIntyre at Phoenix Uni, California, who does Gaelic classes, Skype etc.

There are short online/Skype courses with Caroline Root and Cam Macrae, US-based: http://www.gaidhliggachlatha.com/classes.html

There are long-term online (+Skype/phone) courses with the AGA (based in Canada) http://www.gaelicacademy.ca/
and SMO in Scotland. http://www.smo.uhi.ac.uk/en/cursaichean ... air-astar/

Gur math a thèid leat!
Good luck!
:D

Re: Topical words that aren't in the books

Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2015 4:38 pm
by CeitidhR
Gun robh mìle math agad!

I will check these sites out as soon as I can!