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The Daltaí Boards » Archive: 2005- » 2007 (March-April) » Archive through March 19, 2007 » Help! I'm TOO new at this! « Previous Next »

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Evie
Member
Username: Evie

Post Number: 1
Registered: 03-2007
Posted on Monday, March 12, 2007 - 11:06 am:   Small TextLarge TextEdit Post Print Post

Hello!
Does anyone have a suggestion for a good book to supplement the CDs I'm using? I suppose it would need to be something along the lines of "Irish for Dummies"...

And I notice that many of the phrases with sound bites on this site are quite different from the audio CDs I have. I guess that to be according to any regional differences - but how do I know which is what?!!

I appreciate any guidance I can get. It's hard being a late-bloomer!!

Evie Bailey

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Do_chinniúint
Member
Username: Do_chinniúint

Post Number: 82
Registered: 01-2007


Posted on Monday, March 12, 2007 - 11:28 am:   Small TextLarge TextEdit Post Print Post

Which CD's are you using?

As for the differences you are hearing, don't worry to much about them. Believe it or not, they are probably saying the same thing but it just sounds a little different because the speakers are coming from different areas.

I find that picking a speaker that you like the sound of and then imitating them is a good approach.

I am not who I think I am, I am not who you think I am, I am who I think you think I am.

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Méabh
Member
Username: Méabh

Post Number: 26
Registered: 02-2005


Posted on Monday, March 12, 2007 - 11:54 am:   Small TextLarge TextEdit Post Print Post

Hi Evie - there are a few nice beginners' books to choose from:

Teach Yourself Irish - this one comes with a book and CDs to listen to. It's readily found in the foreign language section of Borders, Chapters or Barnes & Noble.

Teach Yourself Irish Grammar - this book is a good companion to the above listed pack. The explanations are very clear and there are little exercises at the end of the chapters. This can also be easily ordered in U.S. and Canadian bookstores.

Buntús Cainte - a true classic series to learn Irish. This is a 3 part series with books and CDs. It does go along pretty quickly, but it is very good. You would have to order it through the Daltaí shop here or through an Irish bookseller such as www.litriocht.com

Gaeilge agus Fáilte - a nice series by GaelLinn, an Irish Language promotional organization based in Dublin. The textbook and CDs have to be purchased seperately.

For a computer-based start, you might want to try BeforeYouKnowIt Irish - it's free at www.byki.com . It works like flash cards and has audio as well. It only covers the very basics, but it's perfect for the learner who's feeling a little overwhelmed.

The other CD-ROM course I've used in the past (it was my first Irish course actually) is TeachMe! Irish. It has mini lessons to read and exercises to follow up, along with an interactive dictionary, fill in the blank stories, and a pronunciation practice area. You can adjust the settings according to your level, and it keeps track of your progress like BYKI. I believe the cost of TMI is $29. You can get it at: www.linguashop.com

The most valuable learning aid is a good dictionary, and I'd even recommend getting two. I have the Collins Gem ($7 from Barnes&Noble) for quick reference and a larger dictonary for more detail. I'd recommend the Foclóir Scoile, which you can also order either here from the Daltaí shop or at www.litriocht.com .

Hope this helps - I know it's scary starting out. Also, hang around here - the folks are very nice and know their stuff!

(Message edited by méabh on March 12, 2007)

(Message edited by méabh on March 12, 2007)

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Evie
Member
Username: Evie

Post Number: 2
Registered: 03-2007
Posted on Tuesday, March 13, 2007 - 09:14 am:   Small TextLarge TextEdit Post Print Post

Go raidh maith agat!

Okay, that about sums up what I can write in Irish, and I am completely unused to this web format (I've only ever been on lists), so I don't know how to thank folks individually. SO - to Méabh and Do_chinniúint - those are great suggestions for books, and I'm using the Pimsleur CDs (Irish 1).

I'm getting a lot of bewildered reactions from people when they discover I'm learning Irish - they can't imagine why I want to do this, or where I will use it. Well, I've found this site and a few others (one is far too advanced for me yet), but I'm bewildered by their confusion! I'm doing this because I want to, and it's fun, and it's new (for me!), and isn't that why we're alive? To learn new things?
Besides, my Irish genes have been calling to me for a few years now, and I'd like to answer the call. Preferably in Irish.

Go raidh maith agat, again! Lovely to be here!

Evie

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Mac_léinn
Member
Username: Mac_léinn

Post Number: 363
Registered: 01-2007


Posted on Tuesday, March 13, 2007 - 09:37 am:   Small TextLarge TextEdit Post Print Post

A Evie, a chara,

Fáilte! Here's a link to a thread that contains a list of websites that you may find handy.

http://www.gaeilge.org/yahoogroups.html

It also contains links to those websites that are related to course books as mentioned by Méabh above. Although you'll find the courses are already underway, there's always accomodations made for new arrivals.

I would like to second Méabh's recommendation of getting a dictionary and Foclóir Scoile (school dictionary)or it's little sibling Foclóir Póca (pocket dictionary - for those with eagle-eye vision) are excellent for beginners since, unlike other dictionaries, these dictionaries contain pronunciations for each entry in the Irish-English sections.

Fáilte Roimh Ceartúcháin - Go Raibh Maith Agaibh
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/teachyourselfirish
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/irishlinguistics

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Riona
Member
Username: Riona

Post Number: 1043
Registered: 01-2006


Posted on Tuesday, March 13, 2007 - 11:58 am:   Small TextLarge TextEdit Post Print Post

A Evie a chara,

Go raibh maith agat as do teachtaireacht (thanks for your message). Being on a new forum can be a little confusing at first, but we are all nice people here and we were all new once too. If you want to address someone individually you can just do what I did above, a X a chara. Some people's names will need lenition or an h added after the first letter and and fewer require softening at the end by adding an i after the last vowel but you have plenty of time to learn these things. If you want you can just write their name at the top of a message and call it a day. :)

I'm happy to have another new beginner around. I hope you enjoy posting here as much as we do.

Failte.

Beir bua agus beannacht

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Wee_falorie_man
Member
Username: Wee_falorie_man

Post Number: 127
Registered: 04-2006
Posted on Tuesday, March 13, 2007 - 12:54 pm:   Small TextLarge TextEdit Post Print Post

Hello Evie,

I started learning Irish with the Pimsleur CD's last summer; I wanted to stick to the same dialect (Munster) so I then moved on to "Gaeltalk" which is an on-line course. Here's the link:

http://www.gaeltalk.net/

Here are a couple of links to Yahoo study groups that are studying Munster Gaelic:

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

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

By the way, me and my girlfriend (who is also learning Irish) are in
New Mexico, too

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Evie
Member
Username: Evie

Post Number: 3
Registered: 03-2007
Posted on Tuesday, March 13, 2007 - 01:31 pm:   Small TextLarge TextEdit Post Print Post

A Mac_léinn a chara, agus a Riona a chara,
(Heaven help us all - did I do that right?)!

Go raidh maith agat for the welcome and the links! I will check those out as soon as I get some minutes (I am due outside at the barn to body clip my poor, overheated Icelandic horse). I love the way they look after a good clip, but the job itself is beyond yucky, and I am likely to have consumed several ounces of dirt and hair before it's done. :-O

And to you, Wee_falorie_man - whereabouts in NM are you? I can only hope you'll be feasting come Saturday on *green* chile!!! I suppose we all have to create our own ways to celebrate holidays; I am not disposed to attend masses, but I think some quiet reflection on my enormous good fortune (I like my life!) is not inappropriate. Besides, green has become, over the last few years, my new favorite color and is supposed to be very healing. Isn't it nice, then, to have everyone thinking of wearing it for at least one day?!
And green chile was always my own choice, anyway!

I'm thinking my good husband did me a grand favor when he located this site...

So now tell me - how does one say "Vaya con Dios" in Irish? ("Go with God")

Evie

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Riona
Member
Username: Riona

Post Number: 1045
Registered: 01-2006


Posted on Tuesday, March 13, 2007 - 01:40 pm:   Small TextLarge TextEdit Post Print Post

A Evie a chara,

Sure and you did a grand job. The only thing is that you lenite Mac Leinn by adding an h after the M. I hope your horse cooperates for you. Go raibh maith agat for telling us a little about yourself. Weefalloryman and his girlfriend are nice people so if you and they should meet it will no doubt be pleasant.

Beir bua agus beannacht

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Evie
Member
Username: Evie

Post Number: 4
Registered: 03-2007
Posted on Tuesday, March 13, 2007 - 03:28 pm:   Small TextLarge TextEdit Post Print Post

A Riona a chara,
Go raidh maith agat!

The Iceys are generally quite well-mannered, and these boys have had haircuts before. Besides, they know they will feel TONS cooler once the job is done. Of course, I'm in a bit of trouble with them - lunch is late!!
As for me - well! Have you ever had a few hairs drop down your shirt collar when you're getting a haircut? Okay, at this moment (I'm letting the clippers cool off) I'm like that ALL OVER. I have horse hair in my eyes! I feel disgusting, but I'm two-thirds done (with one horse, but that's as ambitious as I'm getting today) and I'll have a nice hot bubble bath at the end of it!

So tell me - how long have you been at this learning Irish? Or are you just a teacher for those of us who need one?! Where are you located? What is your signature line saying?

Evie

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Riona
Member
Username: Riona

Post Number: 1047
Registered: 01-2006


Posted on Tuesday, March 13, 2007 - 05:59 pm:   Small TextLarge TextEdit Post Print Post

A Evie a chara,

Can I just say one quick little thing? It is spelled Go raibh maith agat not go raidh maith agat. Thank you for letting me help you with these things. I'm not a teacher and I'm not even very good at Irish. I'm a mere beginner as you are. I have wanted to learn Irish since I was 12, so that makes 9 years, sure and that is a long time, I feel old now. I've been on this site for a year and a couple of months now. I've gotten smarter since I started so I guess you could say I'm progressing ... slowly.

I live in Portland OR so we are not near each other.

As to animals, I like them in the wild and that is all. I just find them irritating especially when their hair is everywhere as you describe. But most people love horses and they are quite unique among animals.

Beir bua agus beannacht means roughly I send you my best blessings.

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Do_chinniúint
Member
Username: Do_chinniúint

Post Number: 83
Registered: 01-2007


Posted on Tuesday, March 13, 2007 - 11:01 pm:   Small TextLarge TextEdit Post Print Post

A Evie...

Like Riona and yourself, I am a newbie also but if I had to say "Go with God." I might first try a literal translation here.

The "go" concept is a little trickier because there are two verbs that mean "to go". (Imigh, Téigh)

I will assume that when you mean say "Go with God," you mean like at the end of a mass or when someone is leaving from you...

I would go with the verb "imigh" because it means to depart/go.

My first guess would be, "Imigh le Dia." (imee leh jee-uh) would be my first attempt at pronunciating it...

As always I would wait to see what the more advanced speakers have to say about this.

I am not who I think I am, I am not who you think I am, I am who I think you think I am.

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Dennis
Member
Username: Dennis

Post Number: 2864
Registered: 02-2005


Posted on Tuesday, March 13, 2007 - 11:34 pm:   Small TextLarge TextEdit Post Print Post

quote:

"Imigh le Dia." (imee leh jee-uh)

Tá an abairt seo 100% gramadúil, agus tá an fuaimniú ceart agat, ach... níor chuala mé riamh é. I mBéarla: you've got the grammar and pronunciation right. The only problem is that it's not a phrase that anyone uses, as far as I've ever heard. The simplest, more natural expression is:

Slán leat!

Dia leat! This is more or less equivalent "God bless you!" and also can mean "Well done!" You can also say it when someone sneezes, although I usually say Dia linn! in that case.

Cén Ghaeilge a chuirfeá-sa ar "vaya con Dios", a Chaitríona?

"An seanchas gearr,
an seanchas is fearr."


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shoshana (Unregistered Guest)
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Posted From:
Posted on Tuesday, March 13, 2007 - 11:41 pm:   Small TextLarge TextEdit Post Print Post

Evie a Chara!

This is Shoshana, Wee Falorie Man's girlfriend (he probably won't be back on-line till tomorrow). We live in Albuquerque near the University. We are pretty urban. Sounds like you live on a ranch? Or maybe you live in the city and just have horses? We eat chile with almost every meal and I usually make red during this time of year, but now that you mention it, we will probably be having green this Saturday :)

Dála an scéil, cá bhfuil cónaí ort? (By the way, where do you live?)

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Tríona (Unregistered Guest)
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Posted on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 - 12:02 am:   Small TextLarge TextEdit Post Print Post

'Go dté tú slán'
a bheadh agamsa ag smaoineamh ar an mbrí agus beannacht coitianta.

Maidir le 'Imigh le Dia,'
caithfidh mé a rá nár chuala mé é ariamh.
Ach cuireann sé i gcuimhne dom dhá frása atá i bhfad ó 'Vaya con Dios' leis an mbrí atá acu:
1. 'duine le Dia' (othar meabhrach) agus
2. 'imithe ar shlí na fírinne' (marbh).

Tá beannachtaí againn le Dia iontu cosúil le
Go soirbhí Dia duit
Go ngnóthaí Dia duit
Go dtuga Dia slán abhaile thú

Freisin tá 'Dia leat' againn ach de gnáth úsáidimid é chun daoine a mholadh nó a spreagadh.

Vaya con Dios:
1. Go dté tú slán
2. Go soirbhí Dia duit
3. Go dtuga Dia slán abhaile thú
4. Go ngnóthaí Dia duit

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Tríona (Unregistered Guest)
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Posted From:
Posted on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 - 12:04 am:   Small TextLarge TextEdit Post Print Post

Hola Shoshana y Wee falorie man, ¿cómo están?

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Dennis
Member
Username: Dennis

Post Number: 2865
Registered: 02-2005


Posted on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 - 01:00 am:   Small TextLarge TextEdit Post Print Post

GRMA, a Ch.

Go dté tú slán

An ceann is ansa liom, tóisc gur maith liom an t-amhrán. Ach ní minic a déarfainn é. "Farewell" a chiallaíonn sé, nach ea? So solemn and serious, cosúil le "vaya con Dios". Spot on.

Go ngnóthaí Dia duit

An-Chonamarach! :-) Go núí Dia dhuit!

Go dtuga Dia slán abhaile thú

Deirim "slán abhaile" go minic, ach gan an chuid eile de.

"An seanchas gearr,
an seanchas is fearr."


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Evie
Member
Username: Evie

Post Number: 5
Registered: 03-2007
Posted on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 - 09:53 am:   Small TextLarge TextEdit Post Print Post

Oh, my! So many responses!!

Go raibh maith agat for all the information - and corrections are gratefully received!! I have made a list of the books and links to sites - I am going to have to do something about not understanding any of what's being written in Irish!! As to the "Go with God" phrase - ahh, well, perhaps something more traditional would be more appropriate in any case. (As far as my own personal beliefs run - "May the Force be with you" would be closer to the mark, anyway, and even that doesn't quite say it right. Puckies. It isn't easy being a star-shaped peg aiming for a round hole...)

Shoshana a chara! Henry and I lived in Albuquerque for about 18 years, sold the kids to the gypsies and moved to Los Lunas. We've only got two acres, but it serves well enough for keeping a couple of horses, with a wee piece of pasture for them in the growing season.

To everyone - thank you so much for the warmth and kindness you're showing! It's a big help toward relaxing and learning.
If I don't post much for the next few days, I'm not being rude (not deliberately, anyway!), but I've got a truckload of things to get done in the next few days - not the least of which is to fetch my ever-spreading to the bookstore!!

Slán leat, y'all!!

Evie

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Wee_falorie_man
Member
Username: Wee_falorie_man

Post Number: 129
Registered: 04-2006
Posted on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 - 03:11 pm:   Small TextLarge TextEdit Post Print Post

quote:

Hola Shoshana y Wee falorie man, ¿cómo están?


Táimíd ana-mhaith, ar fad!

Conas taoi féin, a Chaitríona?

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Tríona (Unregistered Guest)
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Posted on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 - 05:06 pm:   Small TextLarge TextEdit Post Print Post

Iontach mar tá pictiúr deas agam in aice le mo riamhaire agus coinníonn sé i dea-humour mé i gcónaí :)



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