Greetings

Dia Dhuit!

From time to time, I may stop and write a personal to all of you, however many or none (lol), there are. This is just to acquaint those who are just finding this page or don't know what this site is about.

Why Irish?

First of all, I have to say I don't speak Irish.

We are all just learning on this page. I have been interested in learning the language for some time now. It started out as a part - time hobby. I wanted the experience of learning a language that I didn't have exposure to, and this was because I wanted to relate to newer immigrants who were first coming here. I wanted to know what it must feel like to be thrown into another culture entirely without knowing what any of the people were saying, reading, or writing.

Well, so far so good!

I know the task seems daunting at this point.

I am also interested in Irish culture and history. This was imparted upon me as I was researching Jackie Kennedy's pursuits and desires to become a reclusive historian of sorts many years ago on regions including Ireland and Scotland. I also read some time back, that her Serene Royal Highness, Grace Kelly of Monaco, established a library focusing on Irish Studies. That is another area we may want to address when researching in this area.


I asked myself, why not write about this experience online? See what it takes to learn Irish, the problems and successes of it all.

Some of us probably want to give up. Some of us are going to go along with this fine carriage of Irish-speak, and hope that I don't make nearly as many errors as anyone else.

There are those of you who may want specific Irish training, for example, the language as spoken in alternative regions and not in Munster. If you are thoroughly interested, try asking Rosetta Stone or an alternative language institute for suggestions or references.

http://www.rosettastone.com

I try to attend cultural fests and find out information there. I attended Irish fests and purchased books on Irish several times before. We also have access to libraries everywhere, and there are also bookstores available to us to glean material about Irish.

God bless for keeping up with this site, if you are a secret follower.
Don't worry if you have to review or take notes on previous material, as that is what learning is all about.

If this is your first visit, scroll down to previous entries, and see what this site has to offer.

I am as always open to suggestions and comments.

Thanks.

Sincerely,

Ms. A.!

Basic Conversation

Dia Dhuit. (Hello)

Dia's Muire duit. (your answer when addressed by someone saying hello to you)


How are you?

Conas tá tú?: (Munster)

How are you?



How are you? (elsewhere in Ireland)


Cén chaoi a bhfuil tú?: How are you? (Connemara)

Caidé mar tá tú?: How are you? (Ulster)



Answers:


Tá mé go maith:

I am good, well.


Tá mé go dona:

I am (feeling) badly.



Nice phrases to say and to be polite:


Go raibh maith agat: Thank you.

Tá fáilte romhat: You're welcome.

Celtic Fest Chicago 2010

www.celticfestchicago.us




Reminder: Don't forget to try out some of the words!
Even if you don't know how to pronounce them yet,
put your word recognition skills to the test.
If there are other groups present, visually glance
over the words. How is Irish compared to another language?
Are there similarities in the way they appear?

If you happen to meet any officials or vendors who speak
Irish, you can also practice your mistakes on them. Let
them laugh at you and correct you.

Print literacy is what you are most after at this point.
So focus on that.

Irish is a language that is rarely spoken, even by the Irish. Even in the old
country, they say there are just a handful who even speak it. The most common
feature it has with other languages is that it is more common in print. So, our aim
is to learn it by visual means.

As the time approaches, we will go to sites where you will hear it more.
Then we will practice repeating sounds, phrases and sentences.

Barnes and Nobles is one place where they have the audio along with visual lessons.
Nowadays, most lessons are in CD format. A text is usually provided.
Dictionaries may not be provided in the set, but you can either buy them separately or check for a glossary at the back of the text that is provided.

What I can also recommend is that if the cost is hefty, return another time to buy items a little at a time. If you have a budget worked out, you should be able to handle any purchase. Check around with new internet friends if they have items they are not using, or if you may find items you need at smaller bookstores.

Look for books at other book stores as well.

If you like to use the internet, try a site like Amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/Irish-Your-Own-Eamon-Donaill/dp/084422619X

Celtic Fest usually has a handful of bookstores that come with other interesting
things that are sold. I bought some books in Irish there years ago.

Walk around and you will stumble upon one of them.

Don't forget to have some extra funds in the event you see something else you may want to purchase.

Lots of fun!!! Music, jewelry, posters, clothing...etc.!