Beginner's Gaelic (Hippocrene Beginners Language Series) (Paperback)

~ James MacLaren (Author)
Key Phrases: dol dachaidh, aithne agam air, bàta air, Examination Questions, Active Ind, Habitual Present (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The 54 chapters and exercises in this introduction to the Gaelic language are presented in a step-by-step format, from basics to more complex grammar lessons, making this book a valuable guide for classroom use and for individuals learning on their own.

About the Author

James MacLaren

Product Details

• Paperback: 232 pages
• Publisher: Hippocrene Books (July 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0781807263
• ISBN-13: 978-0781807265
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #523,480 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #21 in	Books > Reference > Dictionaries & Thesauruses > Foreign Language > Gaelic
  #34 in	Books > Reference > Foreign Languages > Instruction > Celtic Languages

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's very good, but ..., September 22, 2003

By	John D. Gressett "daibhidh_ruadh" (Denton, TX) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a very good book, and every serious student of the Scottish Gaelic language should have it. I do not recommend it as a first book for a new learner, for several reasons:

1. There is no audio material for it. It does have a phonetic system to indicate pronunciation, but like all such that do not use the International Phonetic Alphabet, it is very nearly useless unless the student has already developed an ear tuned to the sounds of the language. There is too much phonetic structure in Gaelic that does not exist in English for simple phonetic systems to be useful. Once the student has learned the sounds of Gaelic as spoken by a native speaker, the phonetic system used in this book can be read and is then quite useful.

2. It predates the spelling reform of modern Gaelic. Although this reform is controversial and is not universally used, much currently published Gaelic uses it, or something similar, including the important dictionaries produced by scholars such as Angus Watson and Colin Mark.

3. It is densely packed with information. This makes it a very useful second book for a learner, but it is a very tough row to hoe for a complete beginner.

Having said all of that, if you have already learned some of the language and can pronounce the sounds, get this book. The huge amount of information in it makes it immensely useful to anyone who has completed an introductory course in the Gaelic language.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Beginner's?... Yes.... ....and no., November 28, 1999

By	"gershom_" (Hamilton Ontario) - See all my reviews

If you've got experience in learning other languages; the format is extremely formal and logical. Yet because of this, even just as a beginner, one can find it very useful: the lessons are very condensed, short, and cover a lot of ground for a book of its size. (Mastering 'ty' books can get you back to the airport in a breaze... Mastering this book can have you sharing anechdotes with strangers once you're there.) To avoid grunting: find a friend to help you with more casual grammar and pronunciation. (the only REAL way to do it)

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars This is an old Edition !!!, May 24, 2004

By	Steven Lowry (Murfreesboro, TN USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Do not buy the 1999 edition. There is a Fourth Edition, published 2003 available.