The very beginning
Toiseach tòiseachaidh
Let's have a look at this discussion. By the end of this section, you will have learned some valuable phrases that you can use in lots of different conversations.
Meal do naidheachd, a charaid chòir—a leughadair chòir! 'S e seo crìoch a' chùrsa seo, agus tha an obair againn gu bhith seachad.
Congratulations, dear friend—dear reader! This is the end of this course, and our work is about to end.
'S e gaisgeach, no bana-ghaisgeach, a th' annad! Agus 's e tlachd agus urram a th' air a bhith ann a bhith nad chuideachd. You are a hero or a heroine!
And it has been a pleasure and an honour to be in your company.
Ach chan eil an seo ach toiseach tòiseachaidh dhut fhèin, ma thogras tu.
But this is just a start for you, if you want it to be.
Tha facal no dhà againn dhut mu ionnsachadh leantainneach. Agus tha beagan comhairle againn mun t-slighe air adhart.
We have a few words for you about continuous learning. And we have some advice on the way forward.
Anna, ciamar a bheir daoine an cuid Gàidhlig air adhart air an ceann fhèin?
Anna, how do people improve their Gaelic on their own?
Tha an làrach-lìn LearnGaelic.scot a' cur thairis le goireasan agus molaidhean. Tha stuthan ann cuideachd a bhios gu sònraichte ag amas air na h-ìrean as àirde, C1 agus C2.
The LearnGaelic.scot website is overflowing with resources and advice. There are also materials that specifically focus on the higher levels, C1 and C2.
Na dìochuimhnich gu bheil cùrsaichean eile nas adhartaiche ann air feadh Alba. 'S urrainn do dhaoine cumail orra ag ionnsachadh na Gàidhlig tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig gu ruige ìre oilthighe.
Don't forget that there are other more advanced courses throughout Scotland. People can continue learning Gaelic through Gaelic medium up to university level.
Iain, ciamar a chuireas daoine an sgilean cànain gu feum?
John, how do people use their language skills?
Tha iomadh dòigh ann. Tha seinn ann an còisir no actadh ann am buidheann dràma feumail airson blas, cleachdadh agus misneachd.
There are many ways. Singing in a choir or acting in drama groups is useful for pronunciation, practice and confidence.
Agus tha lìonraidhean de luchd-ionnsachaidh feumail, aghaidh-ri-aghaidh no air-loidhne. Ge-tà, tha e uabhasach cudromach a bhith a' faighinn chothroman a bhith a' bruidhinn ri fileantaich (o dhùthchas) cuideachd.
And networks of learners are useful, face-to-face or online. However, it is very important to have opportunities to speak with fluent (native) speakers as well.
Bidh luchd-ionnsachaidh uabhasach cudromach don chànan san àm ri teachd. Tha cothroman obrach ann an teagasg, iomairtean cànain agus craobh-sgaoileadh.
Learners will be very important to the language in the future. There are job opportunities in teaching, language initiatives and broadcasting.
Bha uair ann far an robh a h-uile duine ann an coimhearsnachd a' bruidhinn na Gàidhlig gu gnàthach. Tha àitichean ann mar Sabhal Mòr Ostaig far a bheil àrainneachd Ghàidhlig ann, ach an tèid coimhearsnachd Ghàidhlig gu tur ùr a stèidheachadh air Ghàidhealtachd?
There was a time when everyone in a community spoke Gaelic regularly. There are places like Sabhal Mòr Ostaig where there is a Gaelic environment, but can a completely new Gaelic community be established in the Highlands?
Fhionnlaigh, ciamar a nì sinn uile cinnteach gum bi an cànan seasmhach?
Finlay, how do we all ensure that the language endures/is sustainable?
Reachdas! Ach cuideachd, bitheamaid uile a' tarraing air an aon ràmh. Agus cuimhnich: cleachd i no caill i!
Legislation! But also, let's all work together [pull on the same oar]. And remember: use it or lose it!