Written by experienced teachers, both native Gaelic-speakers, Colloquial Scottish Gaelic offers a series of stimulating and informative lessons in modern Gaelic, the historic language of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. The lessons are based on everyday situations and relationships which will encourage students to use the simple dialogues in the context of their own experiences. Gaelic probably arrived in Scotland with Irish settlers in the fourth and sixth centuries A.D. It's influence spread until by the tenth century it was 'the' language at all levels in Scotland. Gaelic dominance was gradually eroded by English. In the 18th century the government tried to eradicate it and it was further undermined by suppression of Highland culture and the Highland Clearances of the 1800s. Now Gaelic is resurgent, with over 140 playgroups throughout Scotland, catering to thousands of children, hundreds of hours broadcast on BBC radio and television and Gaelic societies as far afield as Nova Scotia and Australia.

Table of Contents

Pronunciation Guide 1. A bheil Gaidhlig agad? Do you speak Gaelic? 2. An Teaghlach The Family 3. Cait' a bheil e? Where is it? 4. Ciamar a tha thu a' faireachdainn? How are you feeling? 5. Co mheud a th'ann? How many are there? 6. Biadh is Deoch Food and Drink 7. An Aimsir The Weather 8. Air an Duthaich In the Countryside 9. Co as a tha thu? Where are you from? 10. De a chuireas mi orm? What will I wear? 11. De an obair a th'agad? What work do you do? 12. Cur-seachadan Pastimes 13. Anns a' bhaile-mhor In the City 14. Subhach is Dubhach Happy and Sad 15. Na laithean a dh'fhalbh Days gone by 16. Deireadh na Bliadhna The end of the year Leughadh: Translation of Reading Passages Key to exercises Grammar Supplement Glossary E-G Glossary G-E Grammar Index Topic Index