Friday, October 22, 2010

Fluid Speaking

Listening to Irish Being Spoken


Listen to how Irish is spoken and pronounced in the following videos from
You Tube.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlJxahSMJaE&feature=related


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wwjgQuiy9k&feature=related

Do not worry about the memorization for now. If you feel like jotting down notes or copying the words, go ahead.

Right now, just listen and repeat the words.

Get used to the sounds and then work in writing them down first.

I want you to get familiarized with this for now, and so later, when we do work on
learning concepts and memorizing the elements we need, you will have a better understanding.

You will also find out ways that the language is structured in order to be able to read and write in it for the future.

Enjoy listening to the sounds.


Here's a gal who is talking about her Irish heritage in American English.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVA1T7uCUno&feature=related

What Irish Sounds Like --- Discussions

Ladies explaining the Irish Pronunciation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIp4aeCHU9s&feature=related


Irish Dialects (informative)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMvSc3FsXGQ&feature=related


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akA10c8V3no&feature=related

Monday, October 18, 2010

Colors

A creative exercise:


Look up the words for colours mentioned in this song.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUCVBhAgfdE

In Irish, of course. :)


The words that are not exactly colors, you can skip, of course, unless you
want to look them up. ;)


Let's compare notes, next time.


You can use anything that we have previously covered here on this learning blog.

It can be a translator or site with a glossary, or the like.

You can also phone a friend.


Best of Luck!


:)

Saturday, October 2, 2010

Increase your Word Power

Word Power! (A gift or talent of the Irish)

If anyone recalls reading "The Reader's Digest," you will remember a page called, "Increase Your Word Power." I believe that's what the title was. I found the magazine by chance as a child, and then my family had been ordering it. I read that section excitedly, because the knowledge of words in English were new and fascinating at the time. I would read and study those words, although they appeared very difficult to me as a youngster.

As immigrants to the USA, we were all cognizant that we were not actively using the English (British) that we knew. Furthermore, we were being corrected all the time, not only in spelling, but in the way we would pronounce and even write.

American English seemed like such a brand new animal! :) How many of you can remember that exact feeling, or remember stories from your forebears?

Similarly, as we approach Irish, we can begin to increase our word power. I have to recommend this site that I located recently. Take a look and choose categories that draw you the most. Unlike "word power," these categories afford you a choice as to what you will study first.


http://www.byki.com/category/Irish/a/


Words are like little beads to me. (Even letters within words) :)
Every word bears nuances of our past and has a history or origin. Words are like little poems and images of things that bring light before our eyes, not to mention understanding. People who don't have word power are people who are blind to the beauty and power of language and communication. They cannot empathize or understand another. This is a sad thing, and we must counter it eventually.

These are the people that we often find ourselves in conflict with, or people who cannot stand up to foreign invasions and dictators. Simply because there are no words or dialogue with which to communicate! This is a frightening thing, but it must be addressed. Instead of turning to war, we must use the missing link that we all have as cultures: expression & communication. Of course, we must move slowly, and we will stumble, but we must move forward on in freedom and not live under a subjugated demise.

We need to have enough of a lexicon to actually do something with words in languages we need to learn.

Have you ever tried to string beads with a young child or with young children? They find the activity so fascinating that they will sit there for hours. Once the initial threading and finding of materials is done for them.. :)

Learning new words is like that. We put words together all the time to make sentences. We assign meanings to them. We visualise images or associate imageries to them.

How can we not be fascinated?

Learning Irish reminds me of when everything was new in English. I remember immigrants with bright & shining faces teaching me to say "hi." Communication was our first welcome - wagon.

I look at an Irish word like it is a tiny bead that I haven't yet connected to a larger whole. Although, I don't have my necklace or bracelet yet, I feel as if I have more tools.

If we are to be word smiths, it is important to start developing a list of words with which to proceed. If you look at it this way, your strategy will change, and this whole task less intimidating.

Beading is taxing work and teaches patience. It teaches the child to be patient, really finger the items, gain a true grasp of it, and then contemplate on where it goes, and how it holds together. It is also wonderful exercise to improve their dexterity. I would recommend beading with kids who are old enough to do the work. (Younger ones will either lose the beads or stub their fingers. :( )

Look at the wonder on their faces as they are creating something for the first time.
Then look at the satisfaction they experience as they present their handiwork.

This parallel may seem silly at first to you, but really the accumulation of words may seem tedious at first. Using them and working with them, though, will eventually be entrancing enough for you to continue.

Wax nostaligic today as you pursue your study of IRISH!

Word power will increase your knowledge and ability to focus and actively use the language today!

Only then, can we truly be victorious as a people everywhere.