Gaelic

[DavidMn]

This is a language that for whatever reason has always fascinated me, even though I cant speak a word of it. I was first introduced to it when I started listening to the legendary Irish group Clannad, one of my favotire bands. From what I understand, in Ireland now it's being discouraged and is sort of dying out. That's a real shame if it's true. Can anyone speak it?

[irishgrl]

Originally Posted by DavidMn

This is a language that for whatever reason has always fascinated me, even though I cant speak a word of it. I was first introduced to it when I started listening to the legendary Irish group Clannad, one of my favotire bands. From what I understand, in Ireland now it's being discouraged and is sort of dying out. That's a real shame if it's true. Can anyone speak it?

I cant speak it but I pick up a word or a clue on pronunciation here and there.
Listening to Clannad is a good way to get a smattering since you can read the words and hear how its supposed to sound. Its not intuitive tho, so its a slog.....

I was under the impression that there's been a rebirth of Gaelic/Irish/Scot culture since the whole Riverdance phenomenon and that both the dance form and the language are being revived. If anyone knows different could you please pipe up?

[bretonbanquet]

I'm no expert but I think there's a steady interest in the Celtic languages, and particularly the other aspects of Celtic culture like the music / dancing etc. If it was going to die out then it would have done so a few decades back when English culture threatened to snuff it all out completely. I'd be surprised if Ireland was moving away from their language.

I'm not too familiar with Gaelic, but Welsh is strong enough, proved a couple of weeks ago when I travelled to Amlwch in North Wales and a shop assistant spoke to me in Welsh, of which I have not a word. I was slightly ashamed since I am half-Welsh and my mother speaks it, but anyway. Cornish is much like Welsh, but that effectively died out completely many years ago Damn English

[Aisling]

i can speak it conversationally. probably not very well anymore due to lack of use, but there is a saying. . .is fearr gaeilge briste ná béarla cliste, which means "it's better to speak broken irish than clever english". so i guess whatever bits i can still cobble together are acceptable.

generally, the term "gaelic" is used to described the whole group of celtic languages. what's spoken in ireland is either called irish or gaeilge.

irish is the official language of ireland, and it's a compulsory subject in school. for certain governmental jobs, you are required to pass a proficiency exam. despite all that, not a lot of people are fluent. you'd probably have to go to the gaeltacht to find really fluent speakers.

it's a beautiful language, unlike any other in terms of grammar. unfortunately, that makes it very hard to learn. even still, if anyone has the interest, i would definitely say give it a go! you can get books on tape (cd?) that do a good job of covering the basic oral discourse without having to get into reading or writing.

and i'll stop being a walking advert for irish studies now!

[Aisling]

i also wanted to add that another great band to check out is kila. they sing in irish as well, and their work has a real nice flavour to it. a bit of a north african influence, i'd say.

[irishgrl]

Originally Posted by Aisling

i can speak it conversationally. probably not very well anymore due to lack of use, but there is a saying. . .is fearr gaeilge briste ná béarla cliste, which means "it's better to speak broken irish than clever english". so i guess whatever bits i can still cobble together are acceptable.

generally, the term "gaelic" is used to described the whole group of celtic languages. what's spoken in ireland is either called irish or gaeilge.

irish is the official language of ireland, and it's a compulsory subject in school. for certain governmental jobs, you are required to pass a proficiency exam. despite all that, not a lot of people are fluent. you'd probably have to go to the gaeltacht to find really fluent speakers.

it's a beautiful language, unlike any other in terms of grammar. unfortunately, that makes it very hard to learn. even still, if anyone has the interest, i would definitely say give it a go! you can get books on tape (cd?) that do a good job of covering the basic oral discourse without having to get into reading or writing.

and i'll stop being a walking advert for irish studies now!

more I say, MORE!

[DavidMn]

Originally Posted by Aisling

i can speak it conversationally. probably not very well anymore due to lack of use, but there is a saying. . .is fearr gaeilge briste ná béarla cliste, which means "it's better to speak broken irish than clever english". so i guess whatever bits i can still cobble together are acceptable.

generally, the term "gaelic" is used to described the whole group of celtic languages. what's spoken in ireland is either called irish or gaeilge.

irish is the official language of ireland, and it's a compulsory subject in school. for certain governmental jobs, you are required to pass a proficiency exam. despite all that, not a lot of people are fluent. you'd probably have to go to the gaeltacht to find really fluent speakers.

it's a beautiful language, unlike any other in terms of grammar. unfortunately, that makes it very hard to learn. even still, if anyone has the interest, i would definitely say give it a go! you can get books on tape (cd?) that do a good job of covering the basic oral discourse without having to get into reading or writing.

and i'll stop being a walking advert for irish studies now!

That's true. I appreciat you correcting me a bit there. It is fascinating.

[Aisling]

another thing that's fun about the language is the cursing. there are words that have been made up to represent english profanities, but traditionally, a curse is a phrase. my favourite is go n-ithe an cat thú is go n-ithe an diabhal an cat: may the cat eat you and may the devil eat that cat.

There is still a strong culture of the language on the East Coast of Canada..although most say it is slowly disappearing.But thanks to some great East coast singers and musicans they are trying to keep it alive...May I suggest other than Clanadad you might want to check out Mary Jane Lamond and also the Rankin Family ,both hail from Cape Breton Island Nova Scotia..and there are many many talented folks from there..David McIssac,Ashley McIssac.Natalie McMaster..all are great fiddle ,guitar players and speak the language also....There is a Galeic (Celtic) college in Nova Scotia also..so there is still great interest ...Hope you enjoy the Music http://www.maryjanelamond.com/bio.html

[irishgrl]

Originally Posted by MoonChilde

There is still a strong culture of the language on the East Coast of Canada..although most say it is slowly disappearing.But thanks to some great East coast singers and musicans they are trying to keep it alive...May I suggest other than Clanadad you might want to check out Mary Jane Lamond and also the Rankin Family ,both hail from Cape Breton Island Nova Scotia..and there are many many talented folks from there..David McIssac,Ashley McIssac.Natalie McMaster..all are great fiddle ,guitar players and speak the language also....There is a Galeic (Celtic) college in Nova Scotia also..so there is still great interest ...Hope you enjoy the Music http://www.maryjanelamond.com/bio.html

Ive heard of Natalie McMaster, and the Rankins (they are awesome!) in fact, I have this CD called "Fire in the Kitchen" that was produced by Paddy Maloney of the Chieftans and features Leahy, Natalie McMaster, the Rankins, Ashley MacIsaac, the Ennis Sisters, Mary Jane Lamond, and others...it is a rollicking GOOD CD and I highly recommend it NOTE: if you scroll down to the bottom of the page, you will see song samples that you can listen to. My first favorite was Lukey

ps: the Rankins and Leahy have been to Chico State to perform....I heard they sold out almost immediately

Ive heard of Natalie McMaster, and the Rankins (they are awesome!) in fact, I have this CD called "Fire in the Kitchen" that was produced by Paddy Maloney of the Chieftans and features Leahy, Natalie McMaster, the Rankins, Ashley MacIsaac, the Ennis Sisters, Mary Jane Lamond, and others...it is a rollicking GOOD CD and I highly recommend it

Yes Fire in the Kitchen is pretty good cd..gives the listener a sample of each artist...and the title is perfect.cause here we have here what we call kitchen parties..Seems everyone gathers in the kitchen and the next thing you know the musical instruments are brought out (fiddles guitars spoons etc) and the dancing and fun begin...

[irishgrl]

Methinks I should move to Canada! If things here get much worse.....

[DavidMn]

Originally Posted by irishgrl

Methinks I should move to Canada! If things here get much worse.....

1 more week until the takeover.