seachtain na gaeilge

[Blackrose87]

Just reminding everyone that's it's Seachtain na Gaeilge ( Irish week), so use all the Gaeilge you have.
Even if it's just a cúpla focail, try and use it as much as you can!

[Singlemalt]

I wish I had more to use, I am afraid I only know the same few phrases everyone else does from pub culture.

My father had much more and could sing songs and hymns in Scots Gaelic. My grandfather was fluent and could and actually did conduct church services and give sermons in Gaelic. He was a Presbyterian minister and a couple of times a year through the 1950's and 60's provided a Gaelic service for the old people in the rural Ontario community I grew up in.

I know from both my Native and French-Canadian friends that much of a culture is lost when you loose the language. Sadly my family is a typical example.

[Mickey]

I'm afraid that the bulk of my Irish language involves demanding whisky with threats of violence, with a lot of profanity thrown in, followed by singing along with the standard drinking songs.

I would love to learn the language, though I fear I'm getting beyond the age of learning it. I've known other languages but lost them all (use it or lose it) and am currently having a bear of a time with learning ASL. Be fun to try though, just to see if it clicks.

[Blackrose87]

To be honest my Irish has slipped a lot since I was at school. The fact that it's not a language I can used every day means I just can't practice it, so it's gotten very rusty.
I think if I was still living in Ireland I would make more of an effort with it, and there would be a lot more opportunity to learn and practice it.
It does sometimes annoy me that I can't speak my national language fluently, so maybe I'll look into Irish classes or meetings here in Scotland.

[Singlemalt]

I agree, I wish I had paid more attention as a boy when my grandfather was still alive. However to honour this Gaelic Week the best I can do is tell a family story, in English.

My mother's family is from Cape Breton in Nova Scotia where there is still lots of Scot's Gaelic spoken, even radio broadcasts. Her maternal grandmother (a Cameron) learned Gaelic as her first language and only started speaking English when she went to school. When she reached her 70's, whether due to dementia or determination she lost, or refused to use, English. It was a major controversy in the family if she was genuinely afflicted or just being stubborn. In any case, in her last ten years she never was heard to speak a word of English.

It was a challenge to the family who had to seek medical attention and services for her only from Gaelic speakers. Fortunately in the 1950's in Cape Breton it was available.

[Finn]

Wow. I had no idea that I missed the week. I had used a few phrases in the lead up to St. Patrick's Day.

I have found it difficult to learn it. That's on me though. LOL!

[Blackrose87]

Wow. I had no idea that I missed the week. I had used a few phrases in the lead up to St. Patrick's Day.

I have found it difficult to learn it. That's on me though. LOL!

It was set up by Conradh an Gaelige in 1903, but in the last 10-15 years there's been a huge increase in marketing for it.

The organisation running it try o promote th language in schools and everyday life. They also release an album every year with popular Irish bands singing thier songs as Gaelige. It's called Ceol If anyone's interested.

[denmcdough]

I have found it difficult to learn it. That's on me though. LOL!

Ditto! I know a few phrases, but find it to be a terribly difficult language. I do have all the tapes and books, but still have problems. I need to, actually, have someone who speaks it and can answer questions that I might have.

[Blackrose87]

It must be quite hard learning it outside of Ireland. Although its not widely spoken, it still is very present in every day life, with road signs, government buildings, schools, churchs etc all having their name in English and Irish.

Then there's the Irish language programmes on TV. So it seems a lot easier to learn when you've grown up with that around you.

The last time I saw in Belfast, I saw there was a cafe opened in the Gaelteact an Bheal Feirste down the Falls Road. The idea is to have a place where people can meet and converse solely in Irish, whether theyre fluent or only beginners.

Perhaps if enough people were interested, similiar events could be started in America. It's a great way to learn the language.

[Nick the DSM]

In fact, there is. Arizona has Gaidhlig immersion week and Grandfather mountain hosts a similar event as well.

Of course, Canada has events as well.

I've been trying myself to get a hold of the language. Slowly rising out of beginner with help from a native speaker and another friend who is learning as well. Helps to have a group and try to use a few phrases each time.