learning gaelic

[Nick the DSM]

well, since my family and I plan on going to lewis next summer, i would like to know a good bit of gaelic. ive tried from a couple of books but i cant seem to learn it that way. can anyone help me out? one problem i had besides the book was that no one else speaks it that i know of, so its hard. like i can learn spanish because my mom speaks it.

what do i need to do?

[JS Sanders]

Hey Nick,

I've been to Lewis and they speak pretty good English....

Slainte,
steve

[drobin]

Here are two site to get you started. I was using the first two sites for a good while, with some positive results (see the signature).

http://www.airsplaoid.co.uk/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/alba/f...id/index.shtml
http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/alba/f...ic/index.shtml

Have fun on you trip.

[sharpdressedscot]

Hey Nick,

I've been to Lewis and they speak pretty good English....

Slainte,
steve

He wants to learn it, because it would seem like he isn't a regular tourist and did some research, plus I guess it would be pretty cool.

[JS Sanders]

<< I've been to Lewis and they speak pretty good English.... >>

<Sigh> The young folk have such an undeveloped sense of humor these days. </sigh>

Addendum... The Isle of Lewis & the Outer Hebrides are quite different from mainland Scotland. I tried speaking rudimentary Gaelic to them and was given a courteous cold shoulder.

Slainte,
steve

[Oldhiker]

I have a couple of books that come with a CD to listen and practice. I started in Janurary and made my head hurt. Need to get started again. In Seattle http://www.slighe.com/index.php Slighe nan Gaidheal is a non-profit educational society that teaches and promotes the Scottish Gaelic language and culture in the Pacific Northwest. They have reasonable prices classes but I missed the starting class and have to wait for lesson 1 in November to start again in sequence.

[Nick the DSM]

<< I've been to Lewis and they speak pretty good English.... >>

<Sigh> The young folk have such an undeveloped sense of humor these days. </sigh>

Addendum... The Isle of Lewis & the Outer Hebrides are quite different from mainland Scotland. I tried speaking rudimentary Gaelic to them and was given a courteous cold shoulder.

Slainte,
steve

sarcasm is a bit hard on the internet.

you didn't say something stupid like "hi, mr. duck" or something like that did you? LOL.

i would still like to learn it.

[JS Sanders]

<< i would still like to learn it. >>

Then I wouldn't let anything or anyone stand in my way to so do.

From firsthand experience I can add that a native speaker is almost essential to assist in learning all the nuances of this very unique lingo. I wish you every success.

Slainte,
steve

P.S. That wasn't sarcasm.

[highlander_Daz]

Its good that you want to learn it, but dont just learn it because you want to converse with people on Lewis, the Island folk are a breed apart, I went with my mate from Glasgow and he was like "Hey everyones English here!!, wheres the damn Scots??" Nope thats how they speak man theyre island folk!

like Steve says your unlikely to get the time of day never mind converse with them, dont take it personally its just how they are quite insular.
Its a bit like the Japanese not wanting you to bow to them, they like to shake westerners hands not bow.

Good luck

[JS Sanders]

Hey Daz,
Wee wifie & I spent a number of days on Lewis/Harris as consummate tourists. The CalMac ferry ride was a real hoot.

Saw the sights, drove on some of the most deserted highways I've ever seen, and did a bit of hiking. Very striking terrain too - much like the moon, only moister and with the occasional sheep.

You couldn't see the end of the world from where we stood, but a short walk across the scorrie and up a short rise, you sure could.

All that and we flew back to the mainland days earlier than planned. The locals just weren't anything like the inhabitants of the Scottish mainland.

Yep - that's just the way they are. Ain't no changing 'em.

Slainte,
steve