Product Description

Provides a brief and straightforward introduction to the Gaelic language. Explains the why of Gaelic expression. Useful for readers taking a first look at the language and for those whose knowledge is more advanced. A valuable basic guide.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #296014 in Books
• Published on: 2008-02-07
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 80 pages

Customer Reviews

Not your usual learn-a-language book
Firstly, I must say that if, after buying this book, you are expecting to be able to hold simple conversations in Gaelic, you will be disappointed. There are several books around which will take you through graded sets of conversations - this is not one of them.
Personally, I found it far MORE useful. This, admittedly slim, volume attempts to show the absolute beginner the structure of Gaelic, and how it relates to English, to Scots, and to other Indo-European languages.
You won't be speaking Gaelic after reading it, but the standard language learning texts make a lot more sense, if you read this first. I only wiah I'd come across it BEFORE embarking on the "Teach Yourself..." version!

One of the most useful gaelic books I have
I would recommend this to anyone learning gaelic that wants to ask questions rather than just do as they are told no questions asked.

I was a bit bemused to see another reviewer giving only 2 stars for something that "does what it says on the tin", so I thought maybe I'd better give a review myself.

It is aimed at a mature audience for which progress in learning gaelic may be hindered by questions that aren't addressed by other texts and courses, like why is bh pronounced like a v, why are some vowels pronounced and some not, why do 2 gaelic people pronounce things very differently etc.

It is indeed a short book, but a great addition to other books or courses. I'm not sure I would have got much beyond the first chapter of a teach yourself book without a face-to-face course, but if I read this first I might have stood a chance.

It doesn't go into great detail, but if detail is needed it can be obtained from other books or even the internet. This at least lets you know what to look for.

Thankyou Mr. McLennan.

What it says on the tin...
Don't be fooled! This is not _at all_ comprehensive: it is a very simple, short description. It's not an introduction in the sense of an introductory course: you can't start learning scottish gaelic using this book. Also, to someone with much general knowledge of language and linguistics it is not detailed or deep enough a description to provide much useful information.

However, to someone just interested in learning about it, or wondering whether or not to learn it, this may be a very good place to have a taste. It is well layed out and simply presented, and does well at getting across some of the basic concepts that beginners would need to start to get a grasp of.