Milis an Teanga
To the Student
This website contains a set of chapters and exercises on topics of Irish grammar and syntax - how to express ideas in the Irish language, and hopefully, how to think in Irish.
Keys to learning
*Know the basics thoroughly. The rest will follow.
[In school, it is impossible to stop and work at your own pace; but if you sweep along with the material only half digested, you will never master the subject.]
*Know the reasons for the points of grammar, and the actual meanings of unfamiliar idioms.
*There is no substitute for learning! Do spend time learning word lists, phrases, idioms.
It would be wonderful if we never had to think of Exams! But most of us need some spur to keep us focussed. Most of these pages are from my own teaching notes. There are certain issues that keep on cropping up for the student, and I hope that these notes will help.
With the internet and globalisation, not to mention emigration, Irish is increasingly being used outside our borders. I have tried to convey some of the real pleasure in acquiring our and reviving our national tongue. Irish is definitely not just 'any old language...'
Many textbooks designed for teaching Irish are written entirely in that language. I do not see that this is helpful. Many pupils cannot read their textbook properly because they are still learning the language...
The grammar of Irish is very different in many ways from English, French, or German, as it is descended from a different branch of the ancient “Indo-European’ language that was spoken by a now-forgotten civilisation thousands of years ago, before the invention of writing. Nearly all modern European languages are descended from this ancestor.
Nonetheless, the grammar of Irish is very logical and consistent. The Irish people have had thousands of years to develop their culture, protected by the Irish Sea from being overwhelmed by waves of barbarians, much more so than many other nations. Our language is not a hodge-podge of random words and phrases, but was developed by a thoughtful and intelligent people over time, loved and cultivated by the leaders of our civilisation, fostered by the High Kings. Therefore, phrases which seem strange to the native English speaker do have reasons for being the way they are, reasons that are integrated with the language as a whole. It has seemed to me a pity that more explanations, in English, for these things, are not given in most books. Once you have mastered these things, you will be well on the way to truly thinking in the wonderful Irish language, not simply repeating half-meaningless phrases, or trying to fit the Irish into an English mould – the dreaded ‘Béarlachas’.
Another grumble I have is that the gender of nouns is too often not taught from the very beginning. If you are learning any other European language you will find this done as a matter of course. I have felt that this handicaps the student cruelly. ‘Tosach Maith leath na hoibre’ – ‘A Good Start is half the work.’
For the really keen student, I have included some sections on the older literary language that is not yet extinct, and in some cases gives a very concise and pleasing turn to the language. It will also introduce you to the dialect of many traditional songs and poetry. It seems a pity that they are hardly touched upon at all by modern books. These sections may be skipped, however, if you have neither the time nor the inclination.
Finally, most books do not seem to give enough Exercises on any one point. I am trying to remedy this.
Tá súil agam go mbainfidh tú taitneamh is sult as na leathanaigh seo a leanas.
I hope you will take enjoyment and pleasure from these pages.
M. O’Fearghail
numealinesimpetar@gmail.com
Milis an Teanga -i-