Hi,

I studied Irish until I was 18. I haven't spoken or read a word of it in the 7 years since. I was never particularily good at grammar. I want a website (preferably) or a book which will teach me the grammar using both tables and examples of usage. Also, I do not understand the langauge of grammar (imperative, plu perfect (german) etc) ..is there a website that explains these in a lay persons english? A compreshensive online dictionary would also be useful.

Primarily I am interested in learning Irish again so that I can read newpapers, poems etc. Any help, even outside the guidlines I set above, would be most welcome.

JK,

This site has a wonderful list of tables regarding grammar. You can find them by going to the "home" page and clicking on the "grammar" item found in the left margin of that page.

As far as explaining "grammar-ese" I share your frustration. I find it quite ironic that I have as much frustration trying to comprehend what an autonomous adjectival predicate is as I do trying to decide whether or not to lenite or eclipse. It's like I have to learn one language in order to learn my target language.

At any rate, you might try the "search" item in the margin of this page. Search for "grammar-ese" and you should find a similar request in the not too distant past. I placed that posting and had some very good feedback that was expressed in very straightforward terms. Examples were provide and readily comprehended by this tired, old, southern educated brain. I'm sure this will get you started. For the more complex issues (such as the unlikely jumble I used in my above example) I'm just as lost as you and would welcome a "plain english" guide.

Go n-eirí leat! (Did I miss a fada--it feels like I did)

James