learning a celtic language

[craigen]

ok so i would like to learn a celtic language, but im not sure which one to learn.
I want it to be a language i can used, so that leads to welsh, and wales was the home lands of the druids, so its that more authentic?

however my granddad was from scotland so maby i should go with that?

any advice?

[skh]

I'd say, learn what you like best, and if you can't decide on that, learn the language for which you have, locally, the best resources and ideally the chance to meet and talk to native speakers, once you're at that level. From Liverpool, travel isn't far to either Scotland or Wales, and both have language schools with summer courses if I'm not mistaken.

The celtic languages are sufficiently not like english that you'll need all the motivation you can get to work through the difficulties. If you're motivated by music, landscape, literature, history, your ancestors' roots, or a loved, living person doesn't matter. Go where your heart wants to go.

(Also, the celtic languages are sufficiently like each other that if you want to learn a second one in a few years it will probably be easier than the first. Closest to each other are the gaelics on the one hand -- manx (extinct), scottish and irish gaelic -- and welsh, breton and kornish (in the process of being revived) on the other, but speakers of either group of celtic languages have told me that they recognize many similarities to the respective other group as well, once they dig a bit deeper into the grammar.)

peace /|\
Sonja

[skh]

Let me add: yes, there are source texts of celtic mythology written in Middle Welsh, which are used and quoted in modern druidry. But: a) the language in which these are written is an older stage than the welsh that is spoken today, and b) these text were written in the 12th to 14th century, centuries after the historical druids disappeared into the mists of time. No matter what version of welsh you learn, you will not be able to read anything written by druids -- unless you meet a modern welsh druid, that is, there should be a few.

Also, reading middle welsh in the original is about as much fun as reading Caesar or Tacitus in latin because you're interested in history, but without the carefully paced years of latin lessons in school which prepare you for it. And the grammar books and dictionaries aren't as good either. (Don't get me wrong, to me this is fun, but I'm a language geek.)

Unless you have a background in languages, I'd strongly recommend to start with the modern, spoken variety, and as I said above, choose the language that seems most fun to start with.

peace /|\
Sonja

[wolf560]

Hello,

I could not agree more at the "linguist reference"...
I have tried to learn Irish Gaelic and although I've been at it (off and on) for the past few years it is an exceedingly difficult language for me to learn for some reason.

I am many things, but evidently not a 'linguist' (unless you count learning a dozen phrases in a few dozen languages...LOL)

[Heddwen]

I'd say, learn what you like best, and if you can't decide on that, learn the language for which you have, locally, the best resources and ideally the chance to meet and talk to native speakers, once you're at that level. From Liverpool, travel isn't far to either Scotland or Wales, and both have language schools with summer courses if I'm not mistaken.

The celtic languages are sufficiently not like english that you'll need all the motivation you can get to work through the difficulties. If you're motivated by music, landscape, literature, history, your ancestors' roots, or a loved, living person doesn't matter. Go where your heart wants to go.

(Also, the celtic languages are sufficiently like each other that if you want to learn a second one in a few years it will probably be easier than the first. Closest to each other are the gaelics on the one hand -- manx (extinct), scottish and irish gaelic -- and welsh, breton and kornish (in the process of being revived) on the other, but speakers of either group of celtic languages have told me that they recognize many similarities to the respective other group as well, once they dig a bit deeper into the grammar.)

peace /|\
Sonja

The intensive Welsh summer schools are very popular here. I've completed several of them myself. Of course as Welsh people most of us are lifelong learners, my children started from birth practically. I had to learn to keep up with them and help them with schoolwork...of course, I know more than I ever "let on". It comes in handy Here we promote bilingualism, the language is thriving. And as for druids, I think you'll find that there are many of them around...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3OShNHd ... re=related

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welsh_people

I'm delighted that so many people wish to learn the language and that such a large "chunk" of the course embraces this.

Hedd

[mantis]

Which i the easiest?I know that sound a bit simplistic,but if you are not good at learning languages,it best to find out. Which is the best for the nonceltic?

[Huathe]

I have wanted to learn Irish or Scottish Gaelic for some time. Though not Celtic I also have an interest in the Cherokee language.

[wyeuro]

Which i the easiest?

cornish. http://www.bbc.co.uk/cornwall/connected ... age1.shtml
wyverne /|\

[Aurora]

I've decided to go with Scottish Gaelic cause i think it sounds beautiful and i really love Scotland

I've found this site very helpful so far: http://www.bbc.co.uk/alba/foghlam/beag_air_bheag/

[Cosmic Ash]

If you decide to go for welsh this course is really good, easy and free http://www.saysomethingin.com/welsh/viewforum.php?f=2 and they have an active friendly support forum. You can watch welsh language programmes online http://www.s4c.co.uk/clic/e_index.shtml

[Heddwen]

Which i the easiest?I know that sound a bit simplistic,but if you are not good at learning languages,it best to find out. Which is the best for the nonceltic?

I'd go with the one that you feel most connected to i.e. do you have a strong ancestral line, or an affinity for a particular country? The Cornish, Welsh and Breton have the same root as do the other Gallic languages. Perhaps you have been there and would like to study the culture. I doubt whether any of it is that easy. Welsh certainly is not simple.I'm trying to pick up bits of my ancestral languages as well as the local lingo.......and slang. All good wishes for your decision, Mantis

[blodyn]

I have been plodding along with Welsh for the last few years. I chose Welsh because my mother has ancestors who hailed from Wales (practically a rhyme!! See, the Bardic course has had some affect [or is that effect?] !). She also had some from the Isle of Man...but it seemed to me that with Welsh, there would be so many more people with whom to converse. I already speak American English and that is relatively close to the language of my great grandparents (they were from Kent, in the UK), so i figured I had that covered.

I had to deal with university for most of that - so language studies were regularly pushed to the side as they were not part of the official curriculum! However, I like a variety of sources and have found "Say Something in Welsh" to be useful, as are a few other programmes that I have found. For me, though, the best way to learn a language is to read it aloud. Therefore, a few years ago, I purchased a copy of Harri Potter a Maen yr Athronydd. I am still working through the first chapter, "Y Bachgen Ddaeth Drwyddi." This method is how I learned French in my younger school days, though, that was using a very old French Christian Bible....But the principle is the same!

Another thing is to listen to the language as much as you can. I found some Welsh language pod-casts (the news, Nature, etc.) and just listen. After awhile, you start to be able to pick out individual words. Then best of all...find somebody with whom to converse! That makes a huge difference!

So, now, I've just got to practice what I preach, eh?