Although relatively few speak Irish exclusively, most natives have years of formal education in the spoken and written language. This guide does not expect readers to attain that level of fluency, but it gives new learners a good enough foundation in spoken and written Irish to get through a normal day. The authors, all experienced teachers of Irish, assume readers have not studied the language before and use a step-by-step approach with comprehensive pronunciation guides, exercises, glossaries (English to Irish and Irish to English), information on dialectical differences, practice dialogs and cultural information that provides context. As readers learn to talk about themselves and their families, secure lodgings, and describe the events of the day they develop confidence to get to the next steps, including discussing work and even politics. Accompanying audio material is available. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
Specially written by experienced teachers, this easy to use and completely up-to-date course provides a step-by-step approach to spoken and written Irish with no prior knowledge of the language required.What makes Colloquial Irish your best choice in personal language learning emphasis on the language of East Connemara, with a clear pronunciation guide and an appendix on dialectal differences within Irishstimulating exercises with lively illustrationseffective combination of language points, dialogues and cultural informationIrish/English and English/Irish word lists.By the end of this rewarding course you will be able to communicate confidently and effectively in Irish in a broad range of everyday situations.Accompanying audio material is available to purchase separately on CD/MP3 format, or comes included in the great value Colloquial Pack. This audio material has been recorded by native speakers and will help you perfect your pronuncation, listening and speaking skills.
1. Ag cur aithne ar dhaoine - Getting to Know People
2. Ag caint fut fein - Talking about Yourself
3. Ag caint faoin teaghlach - Talking about the Family
4. Ag lorg eolais faoi loistin - Seeking Information about Lodgings
5. Ag caint faoi chaithimh aimsire - Speaking about Pastimes
6. Ag cur sios ar imeachtai an lae - Describing Events of the Day
7. Ag caint faoi na scileanna ata agat - Talking About the Skills that you Have
8. Ag cur sios ar chursai oibre - Describing Employment Situations
9. Bia, Deoch agus Ceol - Food, Drink and Music
10. Slainte - Health
11. Eadai agus siopadoireacht - Clothes and Shopping
12. Laethanta saoire agus taisteal - Vacation and Travel
13. Orduithe - Orders
14. Ag deanamh socruithe - Making Arrangements.
Thomas Ihde is currently director of the Institute for Irish-American Studies at Lehman College, CUNY, New York. His current research focuses on Irish language materials development and bilingual acquisition. His previous publications include a book on the Irish Language (1994, Bergin and Garvey). Maire Ni Neachtain, a native Irish speaker from West Galway, teaches language, literature and linguistics at the Department of Irish, Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick, Ireland. Dr Roslyn Blyn-LaDrew currently teaches Irish at the University of Pennsylvania, and was previously President of the North American Association for Celtic Language Teachers. John Gillen, a research fellow at the Institute for Irish-American Studies, has taught Modern Irish and Old Irish for the New York Gaelic Society, and currently works at Hostos Community College, CUNY.
