While not a fluent Gaelgoir it is my ambition to become fluent in the near future. I think the key to learning any language is that you can't learn it in isolation. you need to have someone to speak it to on a regular basis. And as I'm living in England its difficult to find anyone. But I am determined to do something. Having lived abroad for a few years I've begun to understand just how precious and vital to our identity our language and cultural past-times are.

I didnt like learning it in school but I can seperate the language from that experience and I think people need to do the same. I have a feeling people also know more than they let on, its just some people suffer from this 'backwards pride' in about a lack of knowledge, almost say it with a smile on their face how little they know. And then there are those that love to blame their teachers. Its rarely the teachers fault i find.

So anyway, if someone knows a good way of learning the language while in exile let me know,

Go raibh maith agaibh.

LoyalRoyal (None) - Posts: 465 - 27/04/2010 17:49:30    631440

Skype Gaelgoirs at home!!!

dammon (Meath) - Posts: 1291 - 27/04/2010 19:46:24    631601

LoyalRoyal,

Just use it as much as you can. Throw in random words here and there as Gaeilge. If there's any way you can listen to it, tapes or tv shows or anything they'd really help. There has to be books out there about using it as well. :)

Royal_Girl2k9 (Meath) - Posts: 2107 - 27/04/2010 20:25:18    631654

Tg4 does help i think, and also at night on raideo na Gaeltachta, theres a programme on most nights with rock, pop and alternative music.

rossielassie (Roscommon) - Posts: 672 - 27/04/2010 21:42:10    631774

I can assure you that the language is growing rapidly in Belfast and so will never go extinct in our lifetimes.

Suas Sios (None) - Posts: 1558 - 04/05/2010 15:21:40    637406

I turned against it in school because a lunatic teacher tried to beat it into us with the use of his stick. Now i am trying to learn it again through the use of a "Cupla Focail" club which is held every few weeks in a local pub and i enjoy it. If you don't know the Irish word then just say it in English and someone tells you the correct word in Irish. A very enjoyable way to learn but i have great difficulty with the tenses !!

Cavan_Slasher (Cavan) - Posts: 10253 - 04/05/2010 16:15:38    637488

Anyone hear Diarmaid Lyng's speech as gaeilge after the NHL Roinn 2 final? We need action now at government level to completely reform the way Irish is taught in our schools or speeches like Lyng's will be even more of a rarity in 20years time.

nocky (Wexford) - Posts: 2059 - 04/05/2010 16:18:28    637492

I love it when a captain gives his/her speech as gaeilge

Suas Sios (None) - Posts: 1558 - 08/05/2010 18:05:57    641389

suas sios

Joe Connolly 1980

dammon (Meath) - Posts: 1291 - 08/05/2010 19:29:13    641447

Suas Sios
County: All
Posts: 547

637406
I can assure you that the language is growing rapidly in Belfast and so will never go extinct in our lifetimes.


Yes, even Gusty Spence was running a class on the Shankhill Road before he was intimidated out of the area.

The language is indeed thriving, but is poory taught in schools.

patrique (Antrim) - Posts: 13709 - 08/05/2010 19:39:24    641457

Is maith liom gaelige

Orlaith (Derry) - Posts: 4282 - 08/05/2010 19:44:19    641462

speaking as a secondary school student...
i love speaking irish and would speak a good bit of it at home. but i can't stand irish class at school.

rebelsrock (Cork) - Posts: 550 - 09/05/2010 14:57:35    641768

Comhartas is in Belmullet this year - Looking forward to it - One of my favourite weekends of the year
Never thought I'd say this about Belmullet but it will be civilisation compared to last year - Rosmuc was still a great weekend though - The pub and shop did a roaring trade !.

madasbutter (Mayo) - Posts: 872 - 09/05/2010 17:11:12    641843