4 Meán Fómhair
Starting fresh…..School is starting. It is getting cooler (hopefully). September always makes me think of new beginnings. Like many of you I have been trying to learn my language, Irish, for many years, too many to say without feeling shame at my lack of progress.
So it has come to this, I have started a blog.
Tá sé tagtha chun seo, tá blag tosaithe agam.
Is cosúil gurb é náire íon an bealach is fearr chun mé a spreagadh chun Ghaeilge a fhoghlaim í ndáiríre. Mar sin beidh mé anseo, ag foghlaim agus ag déanamh mo bhotúin go léir go poiblí. Tar liom ar an turas náireach seo.
Más í an Ghaeilge do theanga, gabhaim mo leithscéal ó chroí. Más í an Ghaeilge an teanga atá tú ag iarraidh a fhoghlaim, is féidir leat a bhraitheann ar a laghad go bhfuil tú níos fearr ná mise
6 Meán Fómhair
Okay, feeling good. Figured out this whole blog thing-got some stuff up. Not a lot of Irish, but not nothing.
Tá sé an lá deas. Rinne mé blág. D’fhoilsigh mé roinnt rudaí. Ní mórán Gaeilge, ach ní tada.
13 Meán Fómhair
Lacking motivation…….
Ní maith…… Táim ag léamh Manchán Magan. Nascfaidh mé leis nair a bheidh mé ag foghlaim conas é sin a dhéanamh.
14 Meán Fómhair
Bheul, tá sé seo “frustrating”, de réir dealraimh, ag scríobh blag tá sé deacair. Ní aon fhios agam faoi ríomhaire.
19 Meán Fómhiar
Is fauth liom ‘auto-correct’!!!!!!!! An bhfuil bealach ann gan é a úsáid????
20 Meán Fómhair
Goals for today
-listen to a podcast, read an O’Brien book, write a post
XX Meán Fómhair
O’Brien books! These are lovely early reader books that sadly still seem difficult for me. Ugh. Baby steps
21 Meán Fómhair
Starting a book! Who wants to read with me?
The ideal read would be a trashy romance or a “movie” book like Dan Brown. Something fast and interesting. In a minority language these are not really options. It is more read what you can find. What we can find are kid books. The bonus here is that at the lower levels these are generally, in whatever their original language, written to captivate and encourage kids to continue reading. They will use simple works and repeat similar sentence structures. They also have to have a good story–they are competing with playing outside, video games and all the other joys of childhood.
We will be starting our “book club” with “The boy in the dress” by David Walliams. The very serious reasons that this book was chosen are, 1) an English exists in my house 2) it is available in Irish :).
The format will be much like the excellent format that they have over at Clubleabhar. If you are better at Irish than me then you should head directly over to them. Make yourself a logon and jump in. They even have a podcast as Gaeilge discussing each monthly selection. If you are still a beginner then stick with me (we will make it eventually).
22 Meán Fómahir
How to read in a language that you don’t know….
yes, it will be painful. If you actually enjoy reading (do people not?), it will be especially awful. This is finally what gave me empathy for those that don’t enjoy reading. It is a pain to only half understand something and stop and look up words basically every sentence. Fortunately AI exists (did I really say that?). I did–if you are vaguely my age you may remember struggling through languages at school. “reading” assignments were literally painful. I distinctly remember sitting on my floor giving the evil eye to the enormous dictionary and wishing that there was a calculator-thing that I could just type the word into and get the answer. “if I could only have that it would be sooo easy” I clearly remember this. Can you believe it? It actually happened! For once we really do have warp drive:). Online dictionaries are our magical Jetson life made true. In non-minority languages you can even read on an electronic device and just tap the word for even more instant magic. Sometimes technology actually works.
For Irish is it a bit trickier, but still so doable. Some people like to write all over their books–writing the English word directly into the book. Sadly my handwriting is not neat enough for that–and I find that when I go back to read then my eyes just jump straight to the English. I also have the public school kid fear of writing in the book–it still just feels wrong even if it is mine. What I have managed to do is underline the word. This also helps with my inherent laziness. Even though the magic of online dictionaries exists it still breaks the flow of reading to stop and look something up once a sentence. I underline the word and move on. Once a chapter I go back, write down all my underlines and look them up. This also forces me to go back through the chapter again. I might even get really motivated and make a Quizlet of my missed words. At the moment though, the most I am hoping for is for the list of unknown words to get shorter with each chapter.
23 Meán Fómhair
Caibidil a haon. So far it is very Roald Dahl–or maybe that is the lovely Quentin Blake illustrations–that man is a genius! And the best (for a language learner) starting sentence ever. “Bhí Dennis difriúil”. I’ve got it! I can do this. Whoops, sentence 2–tenses…..ugh. Wait, don’t go yet-really this will help. Remember in language class when you learned past tense, future tense, subjunctive tense–what? we have that? what is that in English? Exactly, you didn’t learn you native language like that. You just learned. Could I tell you the past participle of “go”? No. Can I speak and read English? Yes. This will help you recognize the root verbs and learn the tenses that I am sure you have done some “Christian Brothers” exercises on, but in a more natural setting. Keep going, just underline the word and try to get the gist of the sentence. If you get totally stuck you can stop and look up something but try to get through an entire page just plowing through.
24 Meán Fómhair
Did you do at least the first page? Yeah! And who cares that it is only half a page. You did it! Now we go back and really figure out what it says. I had 3 words.
an-leamh = very boring. This one emphasizes the importance of the fada. I initially read it as “very-reading”–what?? léamh = read, leamh = uninteresting
áirithe = certainty, surety
gairbhéal = gravel
These two together in the same sentence are what remind you that languages express concepts, not words. Word-by-word translation doesn’t really make sense. “Bhí tarmac os comhair tithe áirithe vagus gairbhéal os comhair tithe eile” does not mean ” was driveway in front of houses sure and gravel in front of houses other”. It essentially means that some houses had smooth “sure” driveways and others had gravel driveways. The original sentence in English is” One had a gravel drive, another had crazy paving.” What is really being described is the slight difference in economic circumstances–some of the houses were ever-so-slightly nicer than the others, but basically they were all the same. The next few sentences make this even more clear. You can get this gist initially without translating. Going back and understanding the meanings of “áirithe” and “gairbhéal” just adds depth.
Don’t worry, it will get easier. I did not read Caibidil a haon all in one sitting. Initially it was page by make myself do another page. ugh!
Focail as Caibidil a haon:
https://quizlet.com/835490331/caibidil-a-haon-ghuna-flash-cards/?i=bhsad&x=1qqt
| cé gur | even though, although |
| áirithe | certain, sure |
| os comhair | in front of |
| a léirigh | that showed |
| cé chomh | how |
| ba chrá croí | it was a pain, heartbreaking |
| cosc | prohibited |
| i dtine chnámh | in a bone fire??? I think this is the concept of “bonfire” |
| d’éirigh | got up |
| d’éalaigh | escaped |
| mín | smooth |
| uirthi féin | on herself |
| cón | cone |
| éiginnteacht | uncertainty |
| é ag iarraidh intinn a mháthair a léamh | wanting to read his mother’s mind |
| ab ansa leis | was his favorite |
| tugadh deis | opportunity was given |
| i gceannas | in charge |
| mífholláin | unhealthy |
| ar chláir gháirsiúla | program obscence/filthy |
| nós | custom |
| nós suí ar éadan | habit of sitting on one’s face |
| faoin tráth seo | by this time |
| faraor, is amhlaigh | unfortunately it is |
| ionann | equal |
| murab ionann agus | if not equal ?? |
| d’aontaigh | agreed |
| a lua | to mention |
| is measa ar fad | worst of all |
| cosc ar | ban on |
| cráite | tormented |
| airím uaim | i miss you |
| sin an méid | that’s the point |
| go dtiocfadh | to come? would come? |
| ag tuile agus ag trá | by flood & ebb |
So wow, that looks like a lot of words–or maybe, you think that is far to few. Your list will be different. And yes, I realize that I have “cosc” basically on there twice. With ClubLeabhar they tend to only define a word the first time that it is used. For me, even though I read the chapter in more than one sitting, if I still didn’t remember that “cosc” meant prohibition, I figure it should still go on the list–hopefully it will not keep appearing in further chapters.
Did I make a quizlet/Anki*? Not yet, hopefully that is coming.
*Anki–oh, anki. You are a lovely tool. Spaced repition is the real deal in the science of learning. Sadly I am using all of my motivation to try and learn Irish–I am out of bandwidth to learn you too. There are lovely youtube videos explaining how to use it XXXXX. There is even a cheater iphone app that you can input like quizlet. XXXXXX Any of you true computer literate folks should use anki–and then use Forvo to input the sounds of the words as well—and then make a deck for the rest of us –ha ha–and then come over to my house and put it on my phone for me :).
XX Meán Fómhair
I suck today—didn’t even listen to Irish news
XX Meán Fómhar
Caibidil a Dó
https://quizlet.com/835492707/caibidil-a-do-ghuna-flash-cards/?i=bhsad&x=1jqt
| ceadaithe | approved |
| a luaithe | as soon |
| maidir le cosc | in relation to prohibition |
| i bhfeidhm | in force |
| boise | palm |
| d’airigh | felt |
| i ngreim inti | in her grip |
| i mbaclainn | in barriers |
| ba mhó | most |
| a cholainn | his body |
| fonn ort a meáchan a chailleadh | desire weight to lose |
| ar mhaithe le faoiseamh a fháil | for the purpose of getting relief |
| tuiscint | understanding |
| dar leis siúd | according to those |
| ré | era |
| ná gurbh eisean | nor was he |
| imeartha | playing |
| thar | over |
| a thugadh | was given |
| síob dó | ride (was given) to him |
| le sruth | downstream |
| dúr | stupid |
| go géar | sharply |
| go gearr | shortly |
| go gairid | shortly |
| go himpíoch | persuasively |
| ag casachtach | coughing |
| ag sraothartach | sneezing |
| sraoth | series |
| go n-iompódh | that would turn |
| thathail | happened |
| amhail is go | as if |
| bolgam | stomach |
| údar náire | disgraceful |
| ag teastáil go gear | urgently needed |
| fág seo | leave this |
| bíodh foighne | have patience |
| go stadach | steadily |
| a shroich | which arrived |
| ní hamháin | not only |
| ar fónamh | serving |
| imeartha | playing |
| náirithe | humiliated |
| báire | goal keeper |
| ciasúr | scissors |
| de thimpiste | by accident |
| impím ort fanacht | i beg you to stay |
| go dtarlóidh | that will happen |
| mo náire thú | (my) shame on you |
| ar mhuin na muice | on the pig’s back |
| tríd chuige | through to him |
Well that list seems even longer….. To be fair, the chapter was longer. An hear is the beauty of reading a kid book. Did you think that you would learn the word for “fart”? The fabulous sentence “Tá boladh bréan ó bhromanna mo dhearthár” is just not in a lot of grammar exercises. Or how about the sentence with “the snot exploded”? It certainly helps me remember both “snot” and “exploded”
XX
Tá mo pháistí tinn. Beidh mé tinn freisin. Ach, anois tá fhios agam na focail “ag casachtach” agus “ag sraothartach”.
XX
Ní a lán obair le mo Gheailge. Inniu leigh mé beagan Manchán Magan. Is é an údar go léamh mé nuair taestíonn inspiration do mo Ghaeilge a dhéanamh.
XX Déireadh Fómhar
Tá sé “déireadh” fómhar ach anseo tá sé te fós. Ach cúpla doleog ag titim. Tá an aimsir meabhar aige.
XX
Caibidil a trí
| Bhí an olá shúil ag at ina cheann fearg | were both eyes swelling in his head with anger |
| ag gclúdach leis | the cover with it |
| rósanna fuaite air | roses sewn on it |
| B’éigean | had to, it was necessary |
| cé gur | although, even though |
| suáilleach | beautiful |
| go díreach | directly |
| Bhí an olá shúil ag at ina cheann fearg | were both eyes swelling in his head with anger |
| náire | shame |
| go hiondúil | normally |
| tríd an scipéad | through the script |
| tharraing D anáil dhomhain isteach | drew D a breath deep in |
| ag teastáil | traveling |
| ar ndóigh | of course |
| a chlúdach | to cover |
| éiríonn leis thú a mhealladh | rises only to seduce you, he manages to seduce you |
| ar fad thall ansin | all over there |
| anonn | over-to the other side |
| ag drogallach | reluctantly |
| cuideoidh mise leat | I will help you |
| go díocasach | eagerly |
| a réimse | his field |
| caoineacháin | mourning |
| iontas air | surprise (on) him |
| deoir a shileadh | to shed a tear |
| a bhí cumtha aige | which he had |
| a chlaonadh chun aontú leis | inclined to agree with him |
| in ann bogadh | able to move |
| ag síneadh | signing |
| go muiníneach | confiding |
| tá mé ag ceapadh go bhfágfaidh mé é | I’m thinking I’ll leave it |
| ag teastáil uaidh | he needs |
| as do mheabhair | out of your mind |
| maith go leor | very good |
| bíodh ceann agat | have one |
| an lug ar an lag | the weak on the weak |
| teastóidh | will need |
| go múinte | politely |
| B’fhada | it was long |
| bhrostaigh | hurry up, hurried up |
| a shroich | which arrived |
| luigh | lie down |
| ar a éadan | on his face |
| fógraí | advertisements |
| ar an gcéad céad | on the first |
| faoi na híomhánna | about the images |
| d’ailt | your articles |
| an-chosúil | very similar |
| a raibh cuma beagán cantalach orthu | who seemed a little irritable |
| de chumhráin | of perfume |
| sáite | stuck |
| a raibh siad gearrtha | which they had cut |
| an ghalántacht | the elegance |
| an áilleacht | the beauty |
| an fhoirfeacht | the perfection |
| i bhfolach | hidden |
| d’fhógair go soineanta | announced vaguely |
| fad a bhí siad ag imirt | while they were playing |
| ag lonrú | shinning |
| mar a bheadh ór ann ó íochtar na leapa | as if there were gold from under the bed |
| go grinn | wittily |
| fáithim | i get |
| greim | bite |
| deis | opportunity |
| nach raibh aon leon cainteach ann arbh é Íosa é i ndáiríre | that there was no talking lion that was really Jesus |
| na turais | the trips |
| cé go ndúirt | though said |
| bhí an oiread sin feirge | there was the amount (so much) anger |
| cumhachta | power |
| ar aon nós | anyway |
| B’in an uair | it was the time |
| ar an gcúdach | an the cover |
| faic | nothing |
| bhí an chuma | it seemed |
| greim a choinneáil | grip to keep (hold on) |
| é náirithe | it is embarrassing |
| níl sé ceart | it is not right |
| ar an gceád dul síos | firstly |
| gáirsiúla | obscene |
| díomá | disappointment |
| ar aon nós | anyway |
| ar iasacht | fishing |
| tógadh | take, taken, raised |
| sa chás seo | in this case |
| ná fíneáil dá mbeifeá mall á tabhairt ar ais | or a fine if you were slow in returning it |
| go hiondúil | normally |
| amú arís | normally |
| an lá áirithe | the particular day |
| bhí cuma mhíshuaimhneach | looked/appeared uneasy |
| nuair atá fios maith acu gur ag seafóid chainte atá siad | when they know very well that they are talking nonsense |
| de do leithéidse | of your land?? |
| amhail | such as |
| eachtrannach | a foreigner |
| faoina anáil | under his breath |
| go tromchosach | heavily |
| go bun | to the bottom |
| dúirt mé leat gan do bhéal a oscailt faoi | I told you not to open your mouth about it |
| go dian | hard |
https://quizlet.com/837978030/caibidil-a-tri-ghuna-flash-cards/?i=bhsad&x=1qqt
This is Fiona nit Jamie or Finn