Conference tallis::celt

Sigh.  A dream come true...but 2500 miles to far...sigh.

Randy

> <<< Note 523.1 by MTWAIN::WARD "Is Spring REALLY coming?" >>>

>Sigh.  A dream come true...but 2500 miles to far...sigh.
What's distance when you have notes? :-)

You might enjoy reading the following note that I typed in earlier today 
to give folks an introduction to Scots Gaelic...

            <<< MARVIN::DISK$ROBIN:[NOTES$LIBRARY]SCOTLAND.NOTE;1 >>>
                          -< The Scotland conference >-
================================================================================
Note 40.24                       Info on Gaelic                         24 of 24
MARVIN::COCKBURN "Aye, it's a sair fecht"         169 lines  Fri 13-Apr-90 18:54
                              -< Gaelic guide... >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By popular request, a guide to pronouncing Gaelic (pronounced 'Gallic') !

This guide is only approximate however, for two reasons. Firstly, there
a dialectal variations of considerable importance and secondly there are
many sounds in Gaelic which are not present in English and which are 
difficult to get exactly without talking to a native speaker. I also
have trouble underlining letters here to show exactly where the stress
should go! For those who wish to know more, I can send them photocopies
of the pronouncing guide from my dictionary which is too long to type in
here. This guide has been adapted from 'Everyday Gaelic' by Morag MacNeill,
published by Gairm and Gaelic is fun! (Gaelic through cartoons) by Acair.


Pronunciation
=============

The Gaelic alphabet consists of only 18 letters, there is no J,K,Q,V,W,X,
Y or Z. However, there are sounds in Gaelic quite different from English,
which are made up of combinations of letters. Once these are mastered,
Gaelic pronounciation is very consistent. Gaelic is more or less phonetically
spelt, but the actual spelling system is quite complex. This is because 18
letters have to be manipulated to cover 60-odd sounds.

As in English, there are five vowels  A,E,I,O,U
E and I are considered slender vowels, while A, O and U are broad. Gaelic
observes a spelling balance - where a slender vowel comes before a 
consonant or consonant group in the middle of a word, then a slender
vowel will come after also, and likewise with a broad vowel. A consonant
occurring beside a broad vowel is called a broad consonant, and one
beside a slender vowel is called a slender consonant.

The accent, always over a vowel, denotes that the vowel is long. eg bata
(a stick) = battuh (like the 'a' in 'batter') but b�ta (a boat) =
bah-tuh (like the 'a' in 'calm'), except in the cases of � (out of)
and �s (out of the), where the a is short.

At first sight to the English speaker (and second and third!.... -CC),
written Gaelic looks impossible to pronounce. But once it is understood
that the letter 'h' is never sounded as such, and is there only to
influence the sound of the consonants, then the picture clears. (When
followed by an 'h', the letters d,f,s and t can become totally silent!)

However, one of the most confusing things for learners of Gaelic is
the way the beginnings of words change by a process called lenition
(s�imheachadh). This involves putting an 'h' after the consonant and
thus changing its sound. The rules for when a word should be lenited
are complicated, and riddled with exceptions! 


Consonants

c		: always a k-sound, never an s-sound
d broad		: (a thick d, see below)
d slender	: (a j sound like the d in duke)
ll slender and l slender at the beginning of a word  : ly sound, like 'l' in 
							value
nn slender, and n slender at the beginning of a word : ny as in new
r slender	: impossible to describe! a cross between 'r' and 'y'
s slender	: like English 'sh'
t broad		: (a thick t, see below)
t slender	: 'tch' sound as in 'tune'

Lenited Consonants

bh, mh		: like 'v'
ch		: as in 'loch', (nb: this is loch, not lock!!)
dh, gh (broad)  : as gh below
dh, gh (slender): like 'y'
fh		: no sound
sh		: like 'h'
th		: like h; but sometimes silent when between two vowels

Sounds not common in English

'eu' should be said as in French 'fleur' (or as an Englishman (not a Scot!)
would say bird, her, burn etc.)

ch as in Bach, loch (a gutteral sound as if trying to clear a fish-bone from
the back of the mouth!)

gh a blown-through hard 'g' (the same sort of sound as in 'ch' above, but
slightly voiced, and acheived by placing the bridge of the toungue in
the roof of the mouth - it can't be too difficult - most babies achieve this
'ghh' sound before proper speech!)

l,t,d,n said basically the same as in English but 'thickened', not spat out.
This is achieved by placing the tip of the tongue behind the top front teeth
while sounding the l,t,d or n. 

Some vowels

ea	: usually like a short 'eh'
�	: usually like 'aw'
ao	: like posh English 'ur' in 'curve'

Here's some useful phrases in English, and Gaelic with phonetic pronounciation
to give you an idea! Remember also that adjectives go after the noun they
describe, as in French.

English				Gaelic			Phonetic
(a great) storm			stoirm (mh�r)		stirrim voer
							(stress the t)

I am soaked			Tha mi bog fliuch	ha mee boek flooch

My hands are frozen		Tha mo l�mhan re�dht'   ha mo lahvun rawt
							stress^^   and ^^

The midges are bad tonight	Tha a'mheanbh-chuileag  ha venna choolack
				dona a-nochd		donnuh unnochk
							^	^^ stress

You can't see the hills		Chan fhaic thu na	chan echk oo nuh	
for mist			beanntan leis a'che�    byaoontun lish uh
							     ^^ stress
							chyaw

It was so wet that the		Bha e cho fliuch 's	va eh choe flooch skoon
grass turned to mud		gun deach am feur 'na	jach um feear na fowl
				pholl					   ^^

glen(s)				gleann (glinn)		glaoon	(glee�)

hill(s)				cnoc (cnuic)		crochk (creechk)

corry(corries)			coire (coireachan)	corruh (corrochun)

island(s)			eilean(an)		illan(un)

moor				monadh			monnugh

mountain(s)			beinn (beanntan)	behee� (byaoontun)
								     ^^
peak				sg�rr or sg�rr		skawr/skoor

pool				l�n or linne		lawn/lyee�uh

river				abhainn			avee�

rock(s)				creag(an)		crick(un)

stone(s)			clach(an)		clach(un)
							 ^
stream/burn			allt or sruthan		aoolt/sroohan
							   ^^ 
rocky				creagach		crickoch

welcome				f�ilte			faaltche

how are you?			ciamar a tha hu?	kimara ha oo

very well, thank you		tha gu math, tapadh	ha gu mah, tapa let
				leat

not bad, thank you		chan eil dona, tapadh   cha nyel donna, tapa let
				leat

please give me a pint		an toir thu dhomh	an tor oo gho peench
				pinnt

please give me another pint	an toir thu dhomh	 ....   el-e
				pinte eile

the beer's very good		tha an leann gl� mhath	 han lyown glay vah

ha ha! he's drunk		ha h�! Tha e air mhisg	 ha ay er vishk

I am learning (Gaelic)		tha mi ag ionnsachadh	ha mee a gewn-sacha
				(G�idhlig)		(gahl-ig)

I thought anyone interested in learning Scottish Gaelic might find the
following two books useful (one of them has tapes with it)

Can Seo   - Gaelic for Beginners

Published by the BBC, price �4

Available from:

BBC Publications
Queen Margaret Drive
Glasgow
G12 1DG

They also have two LP's or casettes to accompany the book, although
the book can be used on its own if necessary.

(from Marvin::Scotland)
			-< The Scotland conference >-
================================================================================
Note 40.13                       Info on Gaelic                         13 of 49
MARVIN::COCKBURN "Promoting International Unity"   26 lines  Sun 11-Mar-90 17:19
                   -< Recommended book for Gaelic beginners >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have come across an excellent book for anyone wishing to learn Gaelic,
I'm using myself and consider it very good value for money (324 pages
for �4.95).

It is part of the 'teach yourself' series, and is called 'teach yourself
Gaelic' funnily enough. The author is Roderick Mackinnon.

Teach yourself is printed by Hodder and Stoughton, who may be reached
at:
 Hodder and Stoughton Ltd,  Mill Road, Dunton Green, Sevenoaks, Kent, England

their books are also available in the US from

Random House Inc, 201 East 50th St, NY, NY, 10022

ISBN in USA is 0-679-10217-5

The book also includes Exam papers from the Scottish Educational department
Gaelic learners exam as well as a dictionary.

The review on the back by The Scotsman reads 

'Extremely competently done, having the virtues of Scottish thoroughness
 and systematic teaching.'

Craig

Courses in Gaelic in the London area:

There's a course being run in Scottish Gaelic at Wansfell College (near Epping)
if anyone's interested. It will run between Fri 16 and Sun 18 November.

The cost is �50 if you pay Essex poll tax, �52 if you don't. There's also
a supplement of �4 a night if you don't want a shared room.

There will be four tutors, who will cover the following:

Dr Kenneth MacKinnon will give the beginners course. This will cover
the first 10 chapters of the BBC Can Seo book.

John Angus MacLeod will be giving the intermediate course. This course
emphasises conversation and spoken language and is suitable for people
working towards an O-grade.

Alasdair MacInnes will run the advanced group. This will be conducted
through the medium of Gaelic. The tuition emphasises vocabulary extension
and confidence in language use.

Christine Kennedy will cover the singing workshop. This will be for those
with an interest in the study and appreciation of Gaelic song, as well as
those who actively perform and participate in solo and choral singing.

There will also be a ceilidh on the Saturday night !!!

There's also a non denominational Sunday morning Gaelic service. Both 
the service and the ceilidh are voluntary.

On the tutors:

Kenneth MacKinnon presently lives in the Black Isle and has researched 
and written on the sociology of the language.

John Angus MacLeod (from Tarbert, Harris and now running the Gaelic in
the South (GAD) group) and Alasdair MacInnes (from Glencoe, and one
of my former teachers in Perthshire!) are both crowned bards, noted for
their poetry, songs and technical writings in Gaelic and long experience
in teaching Gaelic in adult education. Christine Kennedy is well known as
a Gaelic traditional singer and was last year's Mod traditional gold
medalist. She is currently based in Inverness working with CnaG in 
Gaelic youth and community education.

There's a follow up course planned for 23-25 February. The intermediate
course then will consist of lessons 11-20 of Can Seo.

For more details, contact:

Wansfell College
Theydon Bois
Epping
Essex
CM16 7LF

Tel: (037 881) 3027


Or Comann an Luchd-ionnsachaidh Ltd (CLI), at:

109 Sraid na h-eaglaise		109 Church Street 
Inbhirnis			Inverness
IV1 1EY				IV1 1EY		Tel: 0463 711792


	Craig.


p.s. I'm going !!

Here's a longish posting to help all those Scottish Gaelic learners out there,
and a few bits of news I've picked up in the last week or so. There is a
mailing list (GAELIC-L) for learners of Gaelic (both Irish and Scottish). 
Let me know if you're interested and I'll send you details.

Just before Hogmany, it was announced that Gaelic television in Scotland
is to receive another 1.5 million pounds (attempted G�idling translation:
aon muillion c�ig m�le not).

The Scotsman newspaper is now running a Gaelic column every Saturday.
(attempted translation:  sin G�idhlig san Albannach a-huile Di-Sathairne)
The columns covers current affairs in the Gaedhealtachd. There's also
a weekly Gaelic competition to come up with Gaelic expressions for English
phrases. 

Last weeks was 'D� Ghaidhlig a th'agaibh air (what is the Gaelic for)
"considering his future" '

The winner came up with the phrase 'ag amharc a chombaiste'

This weeks is 'Sell-by date'. D� Ghaidhlig a th'agaibh air ? (what's the
Gaelic for that?)

Note: Sell by dates were made illegal in the UK on 1-Jan-91, so perhaps 
'use by' might be more appropriate. Does anyone want to try and put
Gaelic on that? The Scotsman competition by the way, gives 'fichead not'
(twenty pounds) to the winner!

Here is the news from G�idhlig aig deas (Gaelic in the south). This covers
Gaelic events happening in England and Wales, however the newsletter is
partially bilingual, so if you aren't interested in the events, it still
gives you some Gaelic and English translation to practice with! The chairman
is John Angus Macleod, who won the Bardic Crown at the Mod in 1971.
His address is :

Iain Aonghas MacLeoid
5 Berkeley Crescent
Lydney
Glos
GL15 5SH
England

Tel: 0594-842750. 

GAD is tr� not (three pounds) a year for four issues. 

The latest issue has just been published. In it is details of Gaelic
classes in: London, Manchester, Tyneside (Durham), Cambridge, Cardiff.
There's also details of weekend courses in London (Epping forest) and
Abergavenny (Gwent). In Scotland, one of my former teachers teaches
weekend and week long Gaelic courses in Glencoe. The levels catered
for are: Beginners/Hillwalkers, Elementary, and Intermediate/Advanced.
Also details of Gaelic church services in London, Gaelic orientated
ceilidh's in London, the London Gaelic society (the oldest Gaelic
society in the world) and the London Gaelic choir. Let me know if
you're interested in any of these and I'll post details.
 

Something for beginners:
 

Days of the week and months of the year in Gaelic with meanings - these
were given to me by Angus Nicol, former conductor of the London Gaelic
choir.

Di-luain         Monday	        (from Lunar)
Di-m�irt         Tuesday        (from 'a suitable time in the week to	
                                 start farmwork' ! - see also 'March')
Di-ciadaoin      Wednesday      (from A'cheud aoine - the first day of the fast)
Diardaoin        Thursday       (from Eardar da aoine - between two fasts, 
                                 note: no hyphen in this one)
Di-haoine        Friday         (from h-aoine, the day of the fast)
Di-sathuirne     Saturday       (no particular meaning)

Di-Domnhnaich    Sunday		which of these you use depends on the area
Latha na S�baid  Sunday	        (day of the Sabbath)

Don't miss off the grave in S�baid, otherwise you get sabaid which means
'fighting' !

na miosan    /  the months

am Faoilteach           January	        (the month of the wolf ravaging)
an Gearran              February        (the month of the horse)
am M�rt                 March           (a suitable time in the year to
                                         start farmwork - sowing time)
an Giblean              April
an Ceitein              May             (does this have it's origins in
                                         ceithir for four I wonder?)
an t-og mhios           June            (the young month, I dunno what
                                         animal has its young in June though!)
an t-iuchar             July            (the month of spawn)
an lunasdal             August          (from a Celtic sun God)
an Sultuine             September
an Damhar               October         (from Damh, a stag)
an t-Samhainn           November 
an Dudlachd             December        (from a word meaning the depths of 
                                         Winter. Note: This word is very 
                                         frequently mis-spelled Dubh at the
                                         start. I am assured that Dud.. is the
                                         more 'correct' spelling).

The Gaelic months corresponded more to times of the year, rather than the
fixed length months which we have in English. This is silimar to English,
when the seasons change length depending on the weather!

A short guide to pronouncing Gaidhlig for those who already know Irish....

Craig

 ------ Forwarded mail received on 30-MAY-1991 at 23:54:44 ------

From:	DECWRL::"GAELIC-L%[email protected]" "GAELIC Language Bulletin Board"
To:	Craig Cockburn <SYSTEM::cockburn> 
Subj:	Re: Pronounciation Guide 

Rob asks:
 
> How does Scottish Gaelic compare to the guidelines given by Marion?
> What is different?
 
At the level of the beginners guide presented by Marion, Scottish Gaelic
is pronounced near enough exactly the same as Irish Gaelic (whereas the
spelling systems for Welsh and Manx, for example, are very different).
 
A few minor differences:
"Mh" and "bh" can be pronounced like English "w" or "v" in Ireland, but
in Scotland they are always prnounced like English "v".
 
"Dh" and "gh" are normally not pronounced at the ends of words in Ireland.
In Scotland they are normally pronounced the same at the ends of words as
at the beginnings of words.
 
Long "a" (written "a/" in Ireland and "a\" in Scotland) is as Marion says
pronounced like the vowel in English "drawl" in most of Ireland.  In Scotland
it normally has the same quality as a short "a".
 
Trying to teach pronounciation via an ASCII terminal is a pretty thankless
task, though.  Anyone who is interested should get some tapes - this is much
more fun too than trying to work through written explanations.  Write to
Gairm, 29 Waterloo Street, Glasgow G2 6BZ, Scotland, if you don't know of any
local source - they will probably be able to recommend one.  The "Can Seo"
book and tape will do fine to start with for Scottish Gaelic.
 
   Kevin

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Received: by enet-gw.pa.dec.com; id AA01701; Thu, 30 May 91 15:08:47 -0700
Received: from UGA.CC.UGA.EDU by uga.cc.uga.edu (IBM VM SMTP R1.2.2MX) with BSMTP id 4799; Thu, 30 May 91 18:08:22 EDT
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Date:         Thu, 30 May 91 18:15:50 bst
Reply-To: GAELIC Language Bulletin Board <GAELIC-L%[email protected]>
Sender: GAELIC Language Bulletin Board <GAELIC-L%[email protected]>
From: C.P.ODonnaile%[email protected]
Subject:      Re: Pronounciation Guide
To: Craig Cockburn <SYSTEM::cockburn>
In-Reply-To:  Your message <sent 30 May 91 12:02:00 EDT via EARN>

A' cruinneachadh nan caorach

I got this story in Gaidhlig recently, unfortunately there's no
translation, but I hope it's interesting to those who have fluent
Gaidhlig, and useful for beginners. It's 27 paragraphs, and is written 
using old style spellings (eg. 'so' instead of 'seo').

Craig

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A' cruinneachadh nan caorach

Dh'�irich sinn trath anns a' mhaduinn oir bhitheadh moran ri
dh�anamh an latha sin, agus bha againn ri dhol thairis m�le no dh�
do'n ealean mus toisicheamaid gnothaichean an latha. Bha sinn uile 
toilichte 'nuair a chunnaic sinn gu'm b'e latha math a bha ann.

B'e Si�na an t-eilean chon a bha sinn a' dol, far an do dh'fhuirich
cairdean againn. B'e turus a rinn sinn gach bliadhna airson cuideachd a
thoirt dhaibh a' cruinneachadh nan caorach.

Cha'n e eilean m�r a tha ann. Tha e mu dh� mh�le air fad, agus beagan
c�rr is m�le air leathad. Tha ceithir tighean ann: tigh m�r, a chaidh
a thogail, mu naoi ceud deug 's a dh� dheug, gu bhith coltach ri
chaisteal; agus tr� tighean na's lugha eile.

Cha'n eil rathad air an eilean, no cha'n eil f�or rathad ann. Ach tha
fr�th-rathad m�r 'na ruith bho ceann tuath gu ceann deas an eilein - ris 
an abrar, gu n�durrach, an M1 (!). Is math gu leoir airson tractar e,
agus airson an t-seann ch�ir a tha aig mo chairdean.

Is e eilean torrach a tha ann. Tha coilltean air, agus fraoch, agus mu
thimchioll an tighe mh�ir tha lios. O chionn mu leth cheud bliadhna,
gun teagamh b'e lios b�idheach a bha ann. Ach an latha an diugh cha'n
eil t�de gu leoir aig duine sam bith a bhith c�ram a ghabhail dha.

Tha cuimhne agam gu'n d'thubhairt piuthar athair m'athar gu'n cuireadh
i seachad, comhla ris a parantan agus a braithrean agus a piuthar, an
t-samhradh gach bliadhna 'nuair a bha iad 'nan leanaban anns an eilean
Si�na, agus e leis mo shinseanair an uair sin. B'e mu ochd ceud deug is
ceithir fichead a bha sin.

'S annn roimhe bha an caisteal air a thogail a bha sin. Dh'fhuirich iad
aig a' bhaile fearainn teann air an �ite far am bheil an caisteal an
dr�sda. Corra uair, dh'fhuirich iad fad' latha no dh� anns an tigh na's
lugha aig ceann deas an eilein.

Bha an treas tigh (agus e ann fhathast) teann air a' ch�dhe: tigh geal
cearnach. Sud far an do dh'fhuirich (ceud bliadhna air ais) feadhainn de
na seirbhisich taobh a muigh: fear a' bh�ta, an t-iasgair agus an
gairnealair. An latha an diugh, tha na tighean beaga air an toirt air
gabhail airson laithean saora.

Chaidh an caisteal a thogail le mullach comhnard - air oirthir
Earraghaidheil! Abair amaideas! Mar sin, tha an t-s�de fad' tr�
fichead bliadhna 's a deich air cur m�ran cr�in air a' chaisteal,
agus e an dr�sda a' toiseachadh a thuiteam sios.

Co dhiubh, dh'fh�g sinn an tigh mu leth uair an d�idh sia uairean,
agus chaidh sinn bho Ard Fhearna gu Ard Uaine leis a' ch�r. B'e ceithrear
a bha annainn, le d� ch�, agus bha c�ignear c�obairean 'nam f�itheamh
ruinn aig Ard Uaine, agus naoi c�in 'nam measg. Cha b'fhada mus do 
thoisich d� no tr� de na c�in a shabaid.

R�inig b�ta bho Shi�na, agus th�inig ri taobh a' ch�de i. Chaidh
sinn agus na c�obairean agus na c�in uile a steach do'n bh�ta. Air
dhuinn am post agus treallaich eile a' t�onail, chuir sinn aodann air
S�una, mu dh� mh�le air falbh.

Nuair a r�inig sinn, choisich sinn bho'n ch�de gus a' chaisteal. Bha
c�r ann cuideachd, seann ch�r buailte, le d� dhorus. Ach cha robh ach
d� chathair ann, cha robh pleat �ireimh no cead air, agus cha mh�r
gu'n deachaidh aige air an turus bho'n ch�dhe gu ruige a' chaisteal
a dh�anamh le aon neach agus pasgan no dh� ann. Co dhiubh, b'e na bu
chomhfhurtaile a bha a' coiseachd.

An d�idh dhuinn c�pan m�r c�faidh a dh'�l, thog sinn oirnn airson
nan caorach a chruinneachadh. Tha an M1 'na ruith sios meadhon an eilein,
agus bhitheamaid a' bhuachailleachd nan caorach sios an dara taobh de'n
rathad, choisicheamaid uile suas an rathad a rithist, agus an sin 
dh�anamaid an t-aon rud air taobh eile de'n eilean. Air dh�ireadh,
bheireamaid na caoraich uile suas an M1.

Thoisich sinn. Choisich sinn gu mall, gach fear mu leth cheud sl�t bho'n
ath fhear. Ruith na c�in thall 's a bhos, agus bha �praid m�r leis na
c�obairean a' glaodhadh ris na c�in aca, agus a h-uile duine ag 
�igheachd ris na caoraich.

Fhuair sinn caoraich: so othaisg, sin caora, mult no dh� an sud, crogachan,
fi� uan anmoch. Thionail sinn iad t� air t�, agus dh'iomain sinn iad gu
ceann an eilein. Nuair a r�inig sinn ann, agus chuir sinn na caoraich uile
comhla, bha mu sia fichead caora ann, 'nan ruith mu thimchioll gun r�n.

Nach g�rach a tha na caoraich? Chaidh ceithir no c�ig aca a mach air
c�dhe beag caol a bha ann, agus nuair a r�inig a' cheud t� ceann a'
ch�dhe, leum i anns a' mhuir. Agus mar sin b' fheudar do fhear-eigin
a shn�mh  a mach anns a' mhuir airson a tearnadh, oir dh'fh�n i far
an robh i, gun ghluasad, agus a sr�n fo'n uisge.

'S e rud doirbh a tha a' sn�mh agus caora a' tarruing. Tha an cl�imh
aice a' f�s gu luath l�n de uisge; cha tog i a ceann, agus mar sin 
feumaidh thu fh�in a bhith 'ga thogail; agus breabaidh i leis na
h-ingnean bheaga gheura thu.

Dh'fh�g sinn an treud an sin, agus choisich sinn suas an rathad airson
taobh eile an eilein a chruinneachadh. Bha sin fada na bu dorra, oir tha
gleann dhomhainn le cliathaich gu math cas ann (an creideadh tu: 's e
ainm ionadal air "A' Ghleann Mh�r"!)

Nuair a bha sinn ag iomain nan caorach sios taobh eile, chunnaic mi
(barrachd air na caoraich) d� earba, agus tr� cearcan-fhraoich (=grouse);
agus bha pailteas easagan ann, oir tha iad a togail nan easagan airson
a' sealg na's anmoiche anns a' bhliadhna.

Nach eibhinn na thachair (=a funny thing happened) o chionn geamhradh no
dh�, geamhradh gu math fuar nuair a bha a talamh reoidhte bho Nollaig gu
ceann M�irt. Dh'ordaich an Riaghaltas nach feumtadh eoin fiadhaich (mar
coilleach coille agus lach) a bhith air an sealg, oir bha an talamh ro
fhuar agus cha b'urrainn dhaibh biadh gu leoir fhaotainn. Agus iad - gu
h-�raidh na coilich-coille - na h-eoin leis is fh�arr s�de fhuar; ann an
geamhradh bl�th, dh'fhalbhadh iad na b'fhaide mu tuath do bad na
b'fhuaire.

Dh'fhoighnich am B.B.C. do fhear-labhairt (=spokesman) an Riaghaltais: d�
mu dh�idhinn easagan agus eun eile mar sin, agus fiadh, earba, altais agus
maighich cuideachd. "Oh," fhreagair fear-labhairt an Riaghaltais, "cha'n
eil duine sam bith 'gan sealg aig an �m so de'n bhliadhna!" Co dhuibh,
ghabh sinn romhainn (=we continued) 'nan sealg mar a b'abhaist, ach b'e rud 
neonach cia meud feannagan (=hooded crow) donn agus rocais-uisge (=rooks) a
fhuair sinn an geamhradh sin!

Nuair a r�inig sinn ceann deas an eilein an dara uair, bha againn ris na
caoraich a dh'iomain suas an rathad gus an fh�ng (=fank, sheepfold) a bha
teann air a cheann tuath. B'e mall mall a bha an turas sin, sinne a' coiseachd
an d�idh nan caorach, agus na c�in 'gan cumail air an rathad

Chuir sinn na caoraich uile anns an fh�ng. Bha e mu leth uair an d�idh
meadhoin latha an uair sin, agus stad sinn airson greim bidh. Ghabh sinn
p�osan (=pieces, ie sandwiches) m�ra le mairtfheoil fhuar agus le caise,
ubhlan, agus crogannan leanna. Bha an t-�cras m�r oirnn uile.

Air dhuinn am biadh �theadh, ghabh sinn a mach na caoraich a bha gu bhith
air an toirt do'n Oban 'gan reic. B'iad sin na crogachan uile, mu dh�
fichead mult, agus dusan othaisgean. Bha cach air an t�madh, agus t� no
dha air an rusgadh, agus bha ian uile air an leigeil a mach a rithist.

Ach cha do chuir sinn crioch air a' ghnothach fhathast. Bha f�ng eile
air an t�r m�r, agus bha againn ri chur ann na caoraich 'gan reic, gu
bhith air an togail le l�raidh an ath mhaduinn. Thug sinn iad thairis 
ann am b�ta m�r airson saighdearan a chur air t�r. Cha robh e 
uamhasach furasda a toirt air na caoraich a dhol a steach do'n bh�ta.

Bha i a' f�s dorcha nuair a thill sinn gu Si�na an d�idh sin, agus 
bha sinn uile rud-eigin sg�th, agus bha an t-�cras m�r oirnn a rithist.
Air thoiseach, ghabh sinn uile drama m�r no dh�. Agus an d�idh sin,
dinnear math: leth-dh�iridh m�r sithionn, agus pailteas fion agus uisge
beatha. Cha do sgaoil sinn mus d� no tr� uairean anns a' mhaduinn.

Agus mar sin ch� sibh gur h-e an fh�rinn a tha anns na faclan de'n
seann �ran, "Tha bainn' aig na caoraich uile, galan aig a' chaora 
chrom." (=the cooling tube in a pot still)

    re .7
    
     "...And learn to chaunt a tongue men do not know."
    
     The more I see and hear of the Irish tongue, the more I'm tempted
    to get off me duff and learn sump'm about it.
    
     Being an American, I talk like I've got a permanent tabaccy chaw
    'tween tooth and cheek and I'll admit to a touch of jealousy that
    I don't share in such esoteric knowledge.
    
     On the other hand, y'never know.  Mebbe I'll surprise meself.
    
    Thanks
    
    Frank
    

All, 

There will be a course in Scottish Gaelic at Wansfell College,  Epping
Forest, North East London on Fri 8 Nov to Sun 10 Nov. This course is
for beginners, intermediate and advanced learners.  There will also be
a singing workshop. The course is co-ordinated by Dr Kenneth
Mackinnon, the researcher in Gaelic sociology who  recently hosted a
conference on the sociology of Gaelic at  Sabhal Mor Ostaig. Last
year, the other two tutors were both bardic crown winners and the
singing workshop was given by the 1989 Mod winner of the traditional
gold medal. The beginners course is based on the first 10 lessons of
the BBC series Can Seo. The intermediate course is for those working
towards SCE O-grade examinations. The advanced course is taught
through the medium of Gaidhlig and aims at conversational fluency. The
singing workshop focuses on traditional Gaelic singing styles. Please
state on enrolment which group you wish to join. A ten pound deposit
is payable now and the total for the weekend is 57 pounds if you want
a single room and don't pay Essex poll tax.  These courses are very
popular and the weekend is always full - we take up the whole college
(about 55 people in total). 

On the Saturday night there is a ceilidh with music and entertainment
- this usually lasts all night and the singers provide excellent
entertainment. On the Sunday morning there is an optional traditional
Gaelic church service.

There is a follow up course in February for the beginners and
advanced classes. This is the same price. The beginners will
finish the Can Seo book and the advanced course will be through
the medium of Gaelic. A 10 pound deposit on this is also payable
now. 

I intend to go on the November course - please let me know if you're
going and I'll try and meet you over the course of the weekend.

For more details, contact:

Wansfell College
Theydon Bois
Epping
Essex
CM16 7LF

Tel: (037 881) 3027


Some Gaelic news from Scotland on Sunday, 9-Jun-1991

As part of the public consultation process for the Channel 3
franchises in Scotland, Scottish MPs will be commenting on the amount
of Gaelic input in the programmes. Three companies have applied for
the Grampian franchise, they are: C3 Caledonian PLC, Grampian
television and  North of Scotland TV.

The formation of a single network for Gaelic broadcasting services in
Scotland and an expansion of Gaelic radio programmes are the aims of
Comann na Gaidhlig following its annual conference held in Inverness
last week. To highlight the need for the growth of Gaelic radio 
Father Calum MacLennan (CNAG's chairman) pointed to figures which
noted that the audience in the north west received 32 hours of Gaelic
radio per week, but only seven and a half hours was heard by the
audience in the central belt. CNAG now plans to raise the issue with
the BBC to explore ways of broadcasting these programmes to a wider
sector of Gaelic speakers and learners throughout Scotland. CNAG is
now establishing a working group to report on this and other issues of
importance such as funding and staffing levels.

Craig

Subj:	Vacancies on weekend Scottish Gaelic course in London area

There are still a couple of vacancies left on the Scottish Gaelic course
at Wansfell College, Theydon Bois, Epping, Essex, CM16 7LF
Tel: (0992) 813027. The course will run from Fri 8th Nov to Sun 10th Nov.

The course is a three levels, plus singing

The tutors will be:

Beginners: Dr Kenneth MacKinnon: Researcher in the sociology of Gaelic
and soon to take up a position at Edinburgh University Celtic dept

Intermediate: John Angus Macleod, winner of the Bardic Crown, chairman
of Gaidhlig Aig Deas, Vice President of the London Gaelic society,
adjudicator at the Mod. A fluent native speaker from Tarbert (Harris)

Advanced: Alasdair MacInnes, winner of the Bardic Crown, teacher
of "Gaelic in the Glen"
Alasdair is a fluent native speaker of Glencoe Gaelic and he was
one of my teachers at High School

Singing: This will be conducted by the well known singer Christine
Primrose.

Please bring along any musical instruments you have for the Saturday
night ceilidh!

Craig

Scottish Gaelic beginners lesson - possibly of interest to readers here.

 ------- Forwarded mail received on 6-Sep-1992 at 00:28:08 -------

From:	VBORMC::"GAELIC-L%[email protected]" 
	"GAELIC Language Bulletin Board" 
To:	Multiple recipients of <GAELIC-L%[email protected]>
Subj:	elem SG lesson


In the first lesson (way back in June) we saw how to make simple
sentences using the present tense ofthe verb bi, using two modes:
the dependent mode (bheil, 'eil) for negations and questions,
and the independent mode (tha) for statements.
For example: Tha mi fuar  I am cold
             Cha n 'eil mi fuar  I am not cold
             A' bheil mi fuar?  am I cold?

This lesson will grind through the rest of the active indicative of bi;
it's a bit boring but necessary groundwork. I'll try to make the next
one more interesting.

Other tenses:
-------------

The same distinction between independent and dependent modes
applies in the other tenses:

future: bithidh (also spelt bidh) is the independent, pronounced [bi:j]
        bi is the dependent (pronounced [bi])
past:   bha is the independent ([va])
        robh is the dependent ([ro])
incomplete: bhitheadh [vi@%] or [vi%] independent. often spelt bhiodh
            bitheadh [bi@%] or [bi%] dependent. often spelt biodh

The interrogative particle "an" changes to "am" before a labial
consonant (m, b, or f) so we have "am bi" rather than "an bi".
The negative particle cha lenites a verb beginning b, c, f, g, m or p
so we have "cha bhi" [xa vi] rather then "cha bi".

Examples: bidh e 'n sin         he will be there
          am bi e 'n sin?       will he be there?
          cha bhi e 'n sin      he won't be there
          bha iad fliuch        they were wet
          an robh iad fliuch?   were they wet?
          cha robh iad fliuch   they weren't wet
          bhiodh thu blath      you would be warm
          am biodh thu blath?   would you be warm?
          cha bhiodh thu blath  you wouldn't be warm

There is a complication in the incomplete tense; the first person
pronouns can be combined with the verb:
bhitheadh mi changes into bhithinn (pronounced [viin'])
bhitheadh sinn changes to bhitheamaid ([vi@mit'] or [vi:mit'])
                          (also spelt biomaid)
Almost everyone almost always uses these compounds instead of the forms
with separate pronouns. Many people never use the forms with separate
pronouns at all.

Negative questions
------------------

The particle "nach" ( [nax] ) is used to introduce a negative question.
As it is a question, the dependent mode of the verb is used:

        nach 'eil sibh slan?    are you not healthy?
        nach bithinn fuar?      wouldn't I be cold?
        nach bi iad fliuch?     won't they be wet?
        nach robh i tinn?       wasn't she ill?

The relative mode
-----------------

Gaelic verbs have three indicative modes: independent, dependent, and
relative. (There's also a nonindicative mode: the imperative.) But the
relative mode exists only in the future tense, the other tenses use the
independent or dependent (for positive of negative clauses) where the
future tense has the relative mode.

the relative mode is used in clauses introduced by
        a relative pronoun: a (who, which) nach (who not, which not)
        ma (if) (but mur [m@r] "if not" takes the dependent mode)
        ged a (though) (usually elided to ged) ([g'et] or [g'et@]
        an uair a (when) (usually elided to 'nuair) ([nu@r'] or [nur@])

examples:
ged bhios mi fliuch cha bhi mi fuar although I'll be wet I won't be cold
ged bhiodh mi fliuch cha bhithinn fuar though I would be wet I wouldn't be cold
nuair bhios i air an loch bidh i fliuch when she's on the lake she'll be wet
nuair bha i air an loch bha i fliuch when she was on the lake she was wet
ma bhios iad tinn cha bhi iad slan if they're sick they won't be well
ma tha iad tinn cha n 'eil iad slan if they're sick they aren't well
mur bi mi slan cha bhi mi 'n sin unless I'm well I won't be there

an eala a bhios air an loch  the swan that will be on the lake
an eala a bha air an loch    the swan that was on the lake
an duine nach bhios an so    the man who won't be here
an duine nach 'eil an so     the man who isn't here
an eala a tha air an loch    the swan that is on the lake

elision is very important in Gaelic, and the times you will hear
that last phrase as it's written are pretty rare; and since the normal
gaelic rule is to write as you would speak, it wouldn't normally be
written that way either: what you will hear and see (except in text
books) is

        an eala 'th'air an loch [@ n'ela her' @n loch]

and by convention it is acceptable to omit any apostrophe that
represents a whole world so often the first apostrophe is omitted too;
and you will notice that where an elided syllable is represented by an
apostrophe we often don't bother with a space between the words as the
apostrophe shows where the word boundary is.
This example of elision is an optional one, in that the uncontracted
form is still acceptable; there are other cases where only the
contracted form is acceptable, writing out or speaking the words in full
is definitely incorrect and risks not being understood. So you will have
to get used to missing syllables and pages spattered with apostrophes.


Tom.    [[email protected]

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This may be of interest to people learning Scots Gaelic.

Craig

 ------------ Forwarded mail received on 2-Nov-1992 at 11:50:29 ------------

From:	VBORMC::"LISTSERV%[email protected]" 
	"ListEARN List Processor (1.3)" 
To:	Craig Cockburn <EDIENG::cockburn>
Subj:	File: "SGSMO1 TYSG" being sent to you

TREALAICHEAN - THE SABHAL MOR OSTAIG SHOP
MAIL ORDER CATALOGUE  SEPTEMBER 1992
(prices in pounds sterling)


LEABHRAICHEAN IONNSACHAIDH/Books for Learning Gaelic
----------------------------------------------------
GAIDHLIG BHEO: The most comprehensive learning system for learners
of Gaelic. Three volumes, each with two tapes - 3/4 months concentrated
work per volume. Price per volume (Book + 2tapes inc postage   �34.50

COTHROM IONNSACHAIDH: Comprehensive, grammatical approach with international
phonetics.    �11.00
Set of 4 tapes also available (price �15.00)

BLASAD GAIDHLIG: Simple conversational phrases on tape with Gaelic/English
text.    �8.25

EVERYDAY GAELIC: Idiomatic words and phrases for all situations with
phonetics. Recommended.   �5.95

GAELIC VERBS (Colin Mark) ``Systemised and simplified'' Students with
a grammatical bent like this    �5.50

BUN-CHURSA GAIDHLIG: Popular grammatical back-up for conversational
classes.    �5.50

GAELIC MADE EASY: Simple inexpensive course (slightly old-fashioned)
in three parts Each book �1.95; Each tape    �4.70

GAELIC IS FUN: Light-hearted learning through cartoons.  Popular
"starter" �2.95

SCOTS GAELIC, A BRIEF INTRODUCTION - MacLennan         �2.50


FACLAIREAN/Dictionaries
-----------------------
ABAIR FACLAIR: up to date two-way pocket dictionary    �4.95

DWELLY'S GAELIC-ENGLISH: The definitive resource    �18.50

APPENDIX TO DWELLY:148pp recently issued    �9.95

NEW ENGLISH-GAELIC (Thompson) contemporary    �7.50

BRIGH NAM FACAL: Gaelic words explained through Gaelic.    �6.00

MACLENNANS: Two-way, reprint from 1925 edition  �9.95


BARDACHD/Poetry
---------------
NUADH-BHARDACHD Iain Crichton Smith, Derick Thomson, Sorley MacLean,
Donald MacAulay, George Campbell Hay with English translation    �4.95

RIS A' BHRUTHAICH (Sorley MacLean) critical essays and prose 13 in
English and 10 in Gaelic hb   �15.00

O CHOILLE GU BEARRADH Collected poems of Sorley MacLean with English
translations (New Edition)   �8.99

AN AGHAIDH NA SIORRAIDHEACHD A new collection from 8 of the younger
Gaelic poets.(with translation)   �9.95   BAILTEAN (Maoileas Caimbeul)
Poetry ``unified under the symbol of the village'', parallel
translations   �3.00


ROSG IS SGEULACHDAN/ Prose and Tales
------------------------------------
SGEULACHDAN GRIMM Grimm's fairy tales in Gaelic    �7.95

THALL SA BHOS - Sguelachdan an t-Saoghail, eadar-theangaichte gu
Gaidhlig   �5.95

CUNNARTAN CUAN (Aonghas Mac a' Phi) Two historical incidents
recounted in clear Skye prose.    �5.95

BUTH AILIG (Domhnall Iain MacIll-Eathain) Anecdotal account of pre-war
life in Bernaray.    �3.95

AM MABINOGI The Welsh legends in Gaelic. Hardback, beautifully
illustrated.   �7.80


LEABHRAICHEAN CLOINNE/Children's Books
--------------------------------------
DEALBH IS FACAL The first thousand words pictured    �6.95

ASTERIX AN CEILTEACH - Asterix the Celt now in Gaelic
- Brilliant!   �4.00

BIADH MOR NA NOLLAIG Cartoon Christmas story   �4.95

CONGRINERO Story about a fearless mouse, full colour illustrations  �4.55


LEABHRAICHEAN EILE/ Other Titles
--------------------------------
SKYE-THE ISLAND (James Hunter), photos by Cailean MacLean    �12.95

CAMANACHD (Roger Hutchinson) History of Shinty    �9.95

SCOTTISH HILL AND MOUNTAIN NAMES - Peter Drummond   �9.95
AS AN FHEARANN  Clearance, Conflict, Crofting - a century of Images  �12.50

AINMEAN CHLOINNE (Peadar Morgan) Gaelic names for children    �3.60

HIGHLAND MAN (Ian Grimble) - Early history of the Highlands, Well
illustrated    �4.95

AINMEAN AITE - Gaelic forms of Scottish placenames, from the Gaelic
Terminology Unit   �5.50

FOLK SONGS AND FOLKLORE OF SOUTH UIST Margaret Fay Shaw   �17.95


LEABHRAICHEAN - CIUIL/ Music Books
----------------------------------
THE SMALL HARP Alison Kinnaird, Step by step tutor , book and
cassette   �10.50

THE HARP KEY Music for the Scottish harp (Old Tunes) arranged by Alison
Kinnaird    �7.00

CEOL NA FIDHLE Contemporary Highland fiddle music - from Skye publishers
Taigh nan Teud
Books I,II,III,IV also Horo-Gheallaidh (Session tunes) -    each book �6.00

THE SKYE COLLECTION Reels and Strathspeys originally published in
1887.    �15.00


TEIPICHEAN/Tapes
----------------
CHRISTINE PRIMROSE - `S tu nam Chuimhne (Traditional Gaelic songs
with modern accompaniment)           �7.50

CHRISTINE PRIMROSE/ALISON KINNAIRD The Quiet Tradition (Gaelic song
and harp music)   �7.50

ALASDAIR FRASER - The Driven Bow ,  The Road North, Skyedance
BUDDY MACMASTER - Judique on the floor, Glencoe Hall
                    (  excellent tapes from two master fiddlers) each   �7.50

RUNRIG - The Big Wheel, Highland Connection, Recovery    �7.50

ARTHUR CORMACK - Ruith na Gaoithe , Nuair a bha mi og    �7.50

MACMEANMNA - Skye the Island in poetry, music and song    �7.50

ANGUS MACDONALD - A' Sireadh Spors: a great selection of pipe music   �7.50


EILE/ Other Goods
-----------------
SABHAL MOR OSTAIG SWEATSHIRTS Price incl Postage    �13.95
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Send your order to Trealaichean, Sabhal Mor Ostaig, An Teanga, Isle
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