Bobby
Don't panic! English follows the Gaelic!
‘S e Bobby an t-ainm a th' orm, tha mi a' fuireach ann an Tennessee, Ameireaga, aig bonn nam Beantan Great Smokey. Tha mi ag iarraidh Gàidhlig ionnsachadh oir tha mi a' tuigsinn eachdraidh mo theaghlaich - Albannach. Tha cuimhne agam, on a bha mi òg, air na h-abairtean is seann dhòighean a bh' aig na seann dhaoine san teaghlach Lewis. Nuair a thòisich mi an rannsachadh agam, mhothaich mi gun robh na h-aon h-abairtean is dòighean a' nochdadh, air an robh cuimhne agam bho cruinneachaidhean teaghlaich. ‘S dòcha nach robh am fuaimneachadh ceart againne, ach bha sinn gan cleachdadh le seann dhaoine san teaghlach againne. A chionn ‘s gun robh mi ag ionnsachadh mu mo theaghlach, bha mi a' faireachdainn gun robh e ceart a bhith ag ionnsachadh beagan Gàidhlig. Cha bhi mi ga cleachdadh o là gu là, ach bidh mi ga cleachdadh airson iongnadh a chur air daoine agus airson aire mo chloinne fhaighinn nuair a tha iad mì-mhodhail – LOL. Mholainn a bhith ag ionnsachadh còmhla ri neach-ionnsachaidh eile, bhiodh e nas fhasa agus tha e math a bhith a' conaltradh ri cuideigin eile mur eil thu ag iarraidh daoine eile do thuigsinn.
‘S e na h-abairtean as fhèarr leam an fheadhainn a th' ann airson a bhith a' coinneachadh ri daoine ùra. Is toigh leam a bhith a' coinneachadh ri daoine ùra agus ag ionnsachadh mun deidhinn, an teaghlach, am beatha. Ge-tà, nuair a tha mi gan cleachdadh ann an Ameireaga, tha daoine a' coimhead orm le iongnadh, ach bidh daoine a' bruidhinn rium nuair a tha iad a' cluinntinn na h-eadar-theangaichean.
My name is Bobby; I live in southeast Tennessee - America, at the foot of the Great Smokey Mountains. I wanted to learn Gaelic because, as I understand our family history, we are Scots! I remember as a child some of the phrases that were used and the quirky traditions that were held by the "old timers" in the Lewis family. As I began my ancestry search I ran across many of these same phrases and traditions that go back to Scotland. Some words were probably not always pronounced properly, but used on occasion with other elder members of the family. Therefore, the more I learned about our family's history and traditions it just seemed proper to learn a little of the language. I don't get to use the Gaelic on a daily basis, but I do use it on occasion to surprise people with a Gaelic introduction and occasionally to get my children's attention when they are not on their best behaviour, LOL. The tips I would offer to other learners would be to have someone to learn with you, this will make it much easier and it's neat to be able communicate with someone when you do not want others to know what you're saying.
My favourite Gaelic expressions are those that are used to meet new people. I love meeting new people and learning about them, their family and life. However, when I use these Gaelic expressions in America all I get are strange looks. It's a good ice breaker though and many people tend to open up after they hear the translation. Thanks so much Beag Air Bheag, I appreciate the opportunity to learn something new, especially as it puts me closer in touch with my Ancestors.
