The Miracle of Words

Most everybody remembers the classic story of the Miracle Worker and her young pupil.
Although she was deprived of the senses that most of us rely upon, she had a never - ceasing yearning to learn and to learn more. This story has inspired countless people over the years. Of course, I am talking about Annie Sullivan and Helen Keller.

Helen writes in her books that Annie's hand was the one that propelled her in the right direction. Some of us have had a valuable interaction with an amazing teacher, and the effects have lasted for a lifetime. For Helen, it was the connection she made to the word, "water."

All in all, she was learning words, fast and furiously. The more her teacher would spell the words to her, the more she wanted to learn and remember. There was one thing missing, however, and that is what the miracle was all about. When Annie took her to water and let Helen feel it as she spelled the word, something amazing started to happen. The mind of her eyes opened, and she knew what "water" was.

So, I want to encourage you today as you pursue the study of Irish. When you learn the words, make it a point to really connect with them and what they mean. This may be done in self study or using a brilliant person that facilitates the process for you. That essentially is the duty of a teacher. This person fosters the ability in you to learn and retain it for a lifetime. When you teach yourself, do the same.

I challenge you to make a list of words first. If you are up for learning phrases or proverbs, go ahead. Slow down as you need to. Choose a category that you are comfortable with. If it is something that involves living in your house, then choose a space: kitchen, dining area, chambers, etc. If you like a general or broad topic, choose: cars, objects in an office, computer words, basically anything that will motivate you to investigate and study words. The categories are important, because you will be the one using them in the future.

Years ago, I asked a Polish student to purchase some index cards. At the time, she was learning English. I asked her to write words in English and using scotch tape, label objects around the house. She said she really enjoyed the process. It was fun, and it felt like a game. She said she had been afraid of making mistakes in learning English. I reminded her that we do learn from making mistakes, but what is fun for you usually doesn't intimidate you at first. She said, she would also remove the cards and test herself from time to time. Then when she was too busy to tutor, she had a safe and secure way to learn while she was at the home site.

I saw her some time later at a library, and she was brimming full of confidence and cheer. She was not afraid to articulate in English, and she even showed me a translation site she had found on the internet. A lot of the time, people are afraid to talk to new immigrants, because they are afraid to face the anxiety of a new learner. I find, however, for both parties to escape that fear is of utmost necessity. Life cannot be lived in a full or rich way without interaction.

If some of you would like to label parts of your homes, offices, or cars, or the like, then go ahead and do so. Be careful with the cats and dogs, though. They make give you the run around. :) Inanimate objects cooperate best!

Use the translator that I gave you in a previous post, or use an alternative site.
You can choose the words you want to use in the event you use a translator. An example of site that lists words for you is helpful, but then you are forced to use those words. Here is one page with a list of Irish words. Choose the particular categories you want.

http://www.irishlanguage.net/irish/words.asp

You may omit the phrases for now. Words are your first lesson in learning Irish. Children in their basic literacy also start with words. There may be those of you who choose to learn by cassettes or by auditory sound. I suggest using a text in this case, and follow the words with your fingers. Also helpful, is to write out the words and sounds you hear. That is crucial for you to connect to the language.

As usual, happy studying!

We'll meet here again, next month!

Please have a collection of words ready. Practice all the while. :)