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The Daltaí Boards » Archive: 1999-2004 » 2003 (July-September) » 2003 (July-September) » Talk Now? « Previous Next »

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Marie
Posted on Wednesday, September 03, 2003 - 03:40 am:   Edit Post Print Post

Hi :)
I'm using a program called "Talk Now" to learn some Irish. The thing is that I have now used it for 2 weeks and already know everything that it's supposed to learn you. Do any one know if it's some other programs that isn't so easy? And a bit more to do? cause it's quiet boring when you paid £35 for it and you're finish with it after 2 weeks.

Marie

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Jonas
Posted on Wednesday, September 03, 2003 - 04:05 am:   Edit Post Print Post

Hi Marie!

I fully understand your frustration. I once had a look at the "Talk Now" series and I find it quite baffling that they dare to offer so little for so much money.

The best thing do to it is to buy a book and cd's/tapes. In my opinion the best course is Learning Irish (which I described here yesterday, you can have a look at it). It's definitely a book for those who really want to learn Irish. That's the book I used myself and I found it excellent (I speak almost fluent Irish).

I can promise you that you won't finnish Learning Irish in two weeks, nor in two months I guess, but when you have finnished it you can be quite confident that you'll speak Irish.

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Marie
Posted on Wednesday, September 03, 2003 - 04:27 am:   Edit Post Print Post

Hi Jonas!

Thank you so much for the advice. I will try and look after it when I'm in town. Then I might get a real change to learn irish not just a bit.

It's kinda weird that they recomend the "Talk Now" series to adults when I'm only 13 and thought it was easy. And like you said, so little for so much money.

Marie

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Al Evans
Posted on Wednesday, September 03, 2003 - 10:55 am:   Edit Post Print Post

Marie -- not so weird -- most adults aren't as good at learning as most 13-year-olds:-)

I agree with Jonas's suggestion. _Learning Irish_ is a superb textbook. You NEED the cassettes that go with it. And you need the worksheets at http://nexus.brocku.ca/rogawa/gaelic/stensn00.html.

If you want to REALLY understand Irish, and you can't go to Ireland, _Learning Irish_ is the best resource available. I was able to read my first "real" Irish book after less than a year of studying this text.

--Al Evans

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Somhairle
Posted on Wednesday, September 03, 2003 - 11:11 am:   Edit Post Print Post

Hi Marie,
I've used the Talk Now program, it's a good bit of fun but not a progressive learning aid..
Come on over to -http://www.irishgaelictranslator.com
We have a great forum going with plenty of beginners there assisted by some experienced speakers. Most of us have recently aquired TeachMe Irish! which is a software program and cd's and books - read about this program at the site.. Ádh mór ort . Somhairle

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Jonas
Posted on Wednesday, September 03, 2003 - 01:54 pm:   Edit Post Print Post

Well...
I know next to nothing about the TeachMe Irish course, I have to admit. The only thing I know is that it is made by Sain, I company that I have deep respect for. Still, from what I've seen of the course, I would never recommend it over Learning Irish.

Considering the http://www.irishgaelictranslator.com I'm somewhat confused. It's a good thing to have phrases with sound-files but why on earth did they not have a native speaker pronounce the phrases?? The pronunciation on the site is that of a learner with a strong English accent. That is NOT the way native speaker speaks Irish, take my word for it.

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Somhairle
Posted on Wednesday, September 03, 2003 - 09:12 pm:   Edit Post Print Post

Marie,
I've learnt bucket loads since becoming a regular at irishgaelictranslator.com, quite often there are 20 people on the board at the same time. It's become a very friendly place for beginners to bounce ideas off each other..

(I don't intend in anyway to take anything away from this brilliant site)

Learning Irish is a fantastic nuts and bolts course but it can be a bit weighty for your average enthusiast. Try you're local library, they might be able to get you a copy to peruse at your leisure..

The truth is Marie, you'll need numerous resources like a good dictionary and grammer book as well as a couple of courses... The dialect thing can be a real pain when starting out but don't worry, Make it fun to learn !

Now Jonas, not that the spoken phrases on the afore mentioned site is the reason I invited Marie to pop over but I will defend the 'speaker' anyway.
The voice you hear is the site administrator's, is name is Eoin and he lives in Ireland.
Unfortunately, like the mass majority of Ireland he speaks English a large part of his working life but he is not a learner (even though we all are to some extent) and he does not have a strong english accent... I've a English accent so I'd have noticed..

Ádh mór oraibh go léir
Le meas
Somhairle

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Jonas
Posted on Thursday, September 04, 2003 - 04:25 am:   Edit Post Print Post

A couple of points:

First, I agree with Somhairle in saying that you'll need a dictionary. Perhaps not immediately, but very soon. On the other hand, I don't see the need for many courses or a grammar book. It can't hurt, of course, but it does seem like a waste of money. The grammar in _Learning Irish_ is by far complete enough; you won't need any specific grammar book beside it. The course is also so extensive that there is no real need for a second course. But if you want to buy more, just do it.

By the way, the best place to buy Irish resources is at http://www.litriocht.com (I'm in no way involved with them, just a very satisfied customer).

Somhairle, I hope you did not take my comments about irishgaelictranslator as criticism against the site as such. I think it is great that someone keeps sites like these available, and my full respect to Eoin for that. Still, the pronunciation is not good, natural Irish; no matter how much I would to say it is. When I said "a strong English accent" I meant it compared to how Irish is spoken in the Irish-speaking areas. Of course I've heard much stronger English accents from non-speakers or learners. Still, it is obvious to anyone who is used to Irish that the pronunciation is not what you would expect. That is a minor point and does not diminish the usefullness of the site.

Slán go fóill,
Jonas

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Maidhc Ó G.
Posted on Thursday, September 04, 2003 - 05:48 pm:   Edit Post Print Post

Some time ago, a while back, someone mentioned that Eoin lives in Dublin and he's speaking the Munster dialect.
I myself, if you haven't already guessed, am taking the "Learning Irish" course. 'Sé go hiontach é!
I got mine off E-bay for $20 including shipping and it was in brand new condition. You might want to try there first. Then, if no luck, go to litriocht, definately. "Learning Irish" has everything.
-Maidhc.

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Maidhc Ó G.
Posted on Thursday, September 04, 2003 - 05:53 pm:   Edit Post Print Post

Oh, yeah, in case you're wondering - Yes. I did get the four tapes in that deal. Everything was like brand new.
-Maidhc

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