Learning Scottish gaelic

[Glitterkitten24]

So I have decided that I would like to learn- since deciding this about 2 days ago I have already discovered I have been saying Gaelic wrong my whole life! (I've been saying gay-lic and it's apparently gaaa-lic, great start!)

Has anyone learned from scratch? I can't do a class as I work shifts so can't be at something on the same day each week.
I'm currently looking on YouTube as there don't seem to be a huge amount of resources online.

Any recommendations of resources you have used?

Thank you!

[tabulahrasa]

learngaelic.net/index.jsp

I haven't used it, because I haven't learned as an adult.

[prettybird]

Saw this on Twitter and thought of this thread:

@LearnGaelicScot: Beginners Course Lesson 12:
food basics

Full lesson with audio
t.co/Y3nrBvWJsE

#Gàidhlig #Gaelic t.co/vndbmLqXPr

[JohnLapsleyParlabane]

Old episodes of Speaking Our Language on YouTube or iplayer

[TulipsInAJug]

It's pronounced 'gaylic' in Ireland.

[MsMarvel]

Tulips, Irish Gaelic is pronounced gay-lic, Scottish Gaelic is gah-lic. Although there are similarities, they are two different languages.

[MaybesAye]

Speaking OurLanguage is on a loop on BBC Alba. Radio nan Gàidheal is on from 7.30.-11pm with some good content for learners. Check the listings. Iplayer also good for specific learner content. Try to get to a learned group. Local Gàidhlig school/unit is a good first point of call. Are you in Scotland?

[Glitterkitten24]

Wow thank you for all the replies!
tabulapretty thank you I'll check those out- first glance would say that they will both be great for pronunciation which is what I'm worried about!

'Speaking our language! I knew there was a Gaelic language programme on in my childhood, I couldn't remember the name. Thank you!

maybes yes I'm in Scotland, I was surprised to discover there is a beginners Gaelic course not 10 miles from me! But as I said, I can't get to a course right now so hoping to stat myself, then join a course a bit later. All the usual language websites like Rosetta Stone/ Duolingo etc include Irish Gaelic but not Scottish....I want to write and complain!
I love the sound of radio listings, I'll check those out.

Are all/ many of you Gaelic speakers?

[MaybesAye]

Yes. I am. First language. No English before school.

[tabulahrasa]

Not really grew up in an area where it was taught in primary school and took it as a standard grade, but...I'm very very rusty.

Though I sometimes listen to the radio to see if I can translate the news, lol

[LassWiTheDelicateAir]

Tulips, Irish Gaelic is pronounced gay-lic, Scottish Gaelic is gah-lic. Although there are similarities, they are two different languages

What is the basis for this distinction? I speak English- I occasionally talk in French and German. I don't refer to myself as speaking Francaise or Deutsch.

[Happymac1]

The distinction is that they are two different languages. Good luck op! Start slowly and get a feel.

[LassWiTheDelicateAir]

The distinction is that they are two different languages. Good luck op! Start slowly and get a feel

So are you saying the English word for the language forming part of the Celtic language spoken mainly in the highlands and islands of western Scotland is ga lick?

[tribpot]

Yes, they are both written as Gaelic in English but pronounced differently. They are spelt differently in the respective language (Gaeilge and Gàidhlig). More info here

[user1487175389]

I'd also like to do this. I'm amazed whenever I put on BBC Alba, particularly when people are playing folksongs etc, that I haven't the foggiest idea what's being said/sung, and yet this is my heritage (or part of it) and even more so my children's. I don't live in Scotland, but maybe one day.

[WankersHacksandThieves]

yet this is my heritage (or part of it) and even more so my children's.

I suppose that depends on where in Scotland your heritage is based.

On my mother's side as far as I have been back, they've come from the Orkney/Shetland islands then to central scotland. My Dad's side are lowland Scots all the way. So, Gaelic, however you choose to pronounce it, isn't my heritage.

I think it's good that people who wish to learn it, wherever they are in the country, have the opportunity to do so, but it is a minority language in Scotland and always has been. I don't see anyone chucking money in to save the many Scots dialects spoken around the country.

[DandelionFluff]

Try here: mangolanguages.com/available-languages/learn-scottish-gaelic/

[TinfoilHattie]

I remember my Mum trying to teach herself Gaelic using a BBC course called Can Seo? but that was a long time ago. Probably very dated now.

It's not something I see as my heritage either - going back generations my family is from no further north than Fife, parts of Scotland where nobody ever spoke Gaelic.

[tabulahrasa]

"I don't see anyone chucking money in to save the many Scots dialects spoken around the country."

Well I'm pretty sure bodies like the scots language centre aren't self funding, so you might not have seen it, but it's happening.

[MaybesAye]

Fife was a very Gàidhlig area. Evidence in the place names and charters.

[LassWiTheDelicateAir]

Fife was a very Gàidhlig area. Evidence in the place names and charters

So what? There is evidence of Latin, French, Viking and Pictish influence in place names. Personally I think the decline of teaching Latin in schools is a disgrace especially coupled with the abysmal standards of teaching modern foreign languages that might be some use.

[musicteacheriz]

I am also semi fluent in it - I picked it up in secondary school then did a fluency course in it

[MaybesAye]

Fair enough Lass but you cant legitimately assert that there was no Gàidhlig in Fife.

[MaybesAye]

Nor can the assertion be made in general....

[Happymac1]

What a shame. Someone asks for help learning a language and the thread descends into a Gàidhlig bashing forum. Op I am a native speaker. If you need a hand give me a shout. Best of luck

[user1487175389]

I agree, happymac its enough to put people off. Hopefully it won't though.