This is the day! | My language mission and my log | Forum

Thanks for the encouragement, folks.  This week I've been using Anki at every available opportunity.  However, I have noticed some discrepancies in words I already know.  For example, it says that the word for leaf is 'fuinneog' which is completely wrong.  'Fuinneog' means 'window', whereas the word for leaf is 'duilleog'.  I have also noticed some minor spelling mistakes and also a couple of cards have come with the Irish word on the front, instead of the English, which is obviously a lot easier.  I'll have to be sure and check new words in my dictionary, to be certain that I'm getting it right.

That said, I'm pleased with the number of new words I've learned through Anki.  It really has accelerated my learning because I am reviewing words when I need to, based on how well I know them.  I want to sync my Anki flashcards to my         phone but haven't figured that out yet.  So, for now, I'm only getting the chance to review the words when I'm sitting in front of my computer.  Hopefully I'll have it down by next week and will be able to review 'on the go'.  I think Benny has some tutorial videos that I can have a look at when I have some time.

So far I haven't managed to find a language exchange partner.  There simply are no Irish speakers who aren't equally fluent in English.  I'm really depending on someone taking pity on me and giving me the chance to practise with them, with no hope of receiving anything in return

Rua

Yesterday I met up with my 'chat mate', for a couple of hours.  Most of our time was spent speaking English, getting to know a bit about each other and finding where we both were in our language learning.  My original feelings were confirmed in that we seem to be at about the same level.  Gradually we switched to speaking Irish as much as possible and finding out what we both lack and how we want to address our inadequacies.

Tonight is Irish class, so Mate and I have decided to move up a level, into ard rang - the advanced class, as we feel that the intermediate won't stretch us.  During our chat we had taken notes of things we weren't sure of, such as sentence structure – how to deal with two or more verbs in one sentence.  For example: – 'When I waken in the morning I lie in bed for a while, thinking about the day ahead.'  I have decided to get to class early tonight, so that I might have the chance to get answers from the teacher before everyone else arrives.  That's assuming, of course, that the teacher arrives on time!

So far I haven't had any luck in finding an online language exchange.  I'll keep hoping that something will turn up but I'm happy to have finally found someone with whom to practise speaking and exchange ideas.  I feel that it has already made a difference to my confidence.

Rua

Kevin, I appreciate you taking the time to write.  Thanks a million for your encouragement, and good luck with your own mission. 

Unfortunately native Irish speakers are like hens' teeth in this part of the country.  Trust me, if I could find one I'd be very happy to let them teach me.  But, as that doesn't seem possible, I will carry on with my own study and with my chat mate, when we get the chance.

I do understand why you caution against introducing ourselves in our native language.  However, I think it worked very well because we got over the preliminaries and found some common ground.  That actually made it easier for us to get into conversations in Irish and I believe we both said more than we ever have before.  From now on, though, it will be Irish all the way.

This evening I went to my class and, as planned, moved into the higher level.  It was very difficult!  Most of the other students seemed to have much more Irish than I do.  However, I understood most of what was said and I do believe that I learned a lot.  The teacher said that the main aim of her lessons is conversation, as opposed to grammar, and that suits me.  I did take notes of new words and phrases I learned, and also of things I'm not sure of and want to look up at home.  I'll put them on my Anki flashcards so that I can review them on a regular basis.

Next week I hope to be able to say much more in class. I'm really happy with how my mission is progressing.  From now on I hope to write my updates as Gaeilge - in Irish – as well as as Bearla – in English.

Rua