Beginner's Gaelic (Hippocrene Beginners Language Series)
by James MacLaren
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Book Summary Information
Author: James MacLarenEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 1999-07
ISBN: 0781807263
Number of pages: 232
Publisher: Hippocrene Books
Book Reviews of Beginner's Gaelic (Hippocrene Beginners Language Series)
Book Review: The Latest Edition of an Excellent Grammar
Summary: 5 Stars
Earlier reviewers are probably right in suggesting that this may not be the best book for complete beginners. For instance, when this book first appeared nearly a century ago (in 1911), its readers, even with an elementary school education, would probably have had a grasp of basic grammatical concepts that today even most college graduates lack (exceptions being made, of course, for linguists and other students of language). But for someone who has a firm grasp of grammatical concepts and enjoys the systematic approach of a traditional grammar, this book will not disappoint.
Since my interest is primarily in the older written language, it is this book's traditional approach to the grammar of Gaelic that initially attracted my attention. Overall, the presentation of the grammar looks to be fairly thorough. The fact that this book predates the spelling reforms later imposed is an additional definite plus for learning to read the older literature (my own focus being on poetry). There are a total of 54 lessons, exercises in reading and translation, a nice table of irregular verbs, Gaelic-English and English-Gaelic vocabularies, and a key to the exercises.
An earlier reviewer said not to purchase this edition by Hippocrene, 1999, because there was a later edition. In my case I purchased this book yesterday in a local bookstore and find that I have the 4th printing (2006) of this Hippocrene reprint (1999) of the "New Revised Fourth Edition" of 1935. (It's probably safe to assume that the author, James MacLaren, will not be revising this further!)
So while this book does not anticipate the needs of many modern students of Gaelic (how could it?), it does appear to meet my needs and I suspect perhaps the needs of others of a similar predisposition.
- - - - - - - - - -
Some comments related to earlier reviews: It's a pity so many reviewers of books on learning foreign languages (I've read a good many here on Amazon over the years) will disparage a book and give it a low rating if it doesn't cater to their particular learning preferences. Why can't people accept diversity and realize that what works for one might be anathema to another?
For example, an approach that makes me want to gag myself with a spoon is the making of vocabulary cards -- been there, done that -- and it never worked for me -- but others report great success! Also, I personally do not like the watered down, look-say, approach of so many current learning materials -- but that does not give me the right to give such items a low rating! To me, to do so would be arrogantly unethical.
In my case, give me a decent grammar, dictionary, and something good to read in the target language and I'm content.
So, to each our own, I say.
Peace and long life!
Summary of Beginner's Gaelic (Hippocrene Beginners Language Series)
The 54 chapters and exercises in this introduction to the Gaelic language are presented in a step-by-step format, from basics to more complex grammar lessons, making this book a valuable guide for classroom use and for individuals learning on their own.Gaelic Books
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