A chairde,

A new Yahoo! Group has been started for the study of Irish linguistics. Its purpose is to provide both complete beginners and advanced practitioners a forum for the unlimited study and discussion of any and all aspects of the linguistics of the Irish language. Folks not familiar with the term linguistics may benefit from this definition at www.dictionary.com

Linguistics: The study of the nature, structure, and variation of language, including phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, sociolinguistics, and pragmatics.

Please don't expect to find anything available yet at this site, except for a picture of a famous Irish poet's tower (any guesses on who that famous Irish poet is?) and a link to Daltai na Gaeilge of course. :) But it's a start, and hopefully over the ensuing weeks and months we can build this site into something that will provide an online resource for this very important topic to Irish speakers.

The cardinal rule for all members wishing to join this group is toleration towards all other members in regards to how little or how much of a discussion of the Irish language is pursued. Those who feel compelled to place limits on others' rights to discuss any aspect of the Irish language need not apply. All others are welcome and encouraged to join - beginners and advanced linguists alike!

To join this Yahoo! Group please vist:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/irishlinguistics/

Sure and I suspect that you are the one who invented this group. I have a mind to think that you wanted to do it in light of our recent discussions about the forum and it's nature and what is allowed and so forth. You'll have to be writing me back and telling me if indeed it is yourself who's starting this new group. It is quite a nice idea. Beir bua agus beannacht.

A Riona, a chara,

Sure and I confess to having started this Yahoo! Group. I did not mean to deceive anyone, but as an engineer I have developed the (bad?) habit of writing in the passive mood, e.g., the bridge was built, the equation was solved, the pocket protector was worn. :) The good news is that the group's membership has increased by 100 percent in less than one day's time. Ok, I know the number of members only went from 2 to 4, but if that trend continues, there will be over 1 million members within a month! :)

It is hoped, or putting it non-passively, I hope that this new Yahoo! Group will augment the efforts of such fine groups as Daltaí na Gaeilge by providing a centralized and unconstrained online resource for those interested in the study of Irish linguistics including:

1. Morphology
2. Phonology
3. Syntax
4. Phonetics

In addition to these major areas of study, other topics will undoubtedly be addressed to everyone's heart's content. Who knows, maybe the group will even be fortunate enough to attract a leading expert in the linguistics of tatoos!

I had gotten the idea of starting such a group on linguistics from my son's current collegiate studies in linguistics. Before that, I had only a vague idea of what the term "linguistics" meant. So, along with my son's involvement in this new group and the group's two most-recent members who are very active and knowledgeable in the study of the Irish language, I think that we're off to a good start.

I want to thank you very much for your compliment of this being quite a nice idea. I would like to extend an invitation to you, and for that matter anyone who has even the slightest interest in the study of Irish linguistics and isn't susceptible to IOS (Information Overload Syndrome), to join by visiting:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/irishlinguistics/

Slán go fóill,

Student of Irish Linguistics
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/irishlinguistics/

A chara,

To truth you're too funny to be an engineer, I thought that all that unattached writing would dry up one's sense of humor. Not really, but it surprises me at any rate. I just find it amusing that you wrote so objectively when it seems that the all of us would figure it was yourself. As to joining this newly established group I don't know that I'd be of the mind to do so. Being here is enough for me. Go raibh maith agat for asking though.

Beir bua agus beannacht.