Member Profile: Paul Curtin
Without exaggeration I can say that I have made more progress in the last two years with Let’s Learn Irish than I did in as many decades!
I began learning Irish in 1975 when my older brothers and I got our hands on Buntús Cainte, Teach Yourself Irish (Dillon & Ó Cróinín) and the accompanying LP’s. We worked through these with varying degrees of diligence and success but we were left with very little, if any, access to the spoken language. I continued on my own while living in different places in the US and started up a self guided Irish language group in Poland in the 1980’s.
For years my main Irish learning activity was to delve into Séadna and the Blasket biographies, with Ó Dónaill’s doorstop dictionary always close at hand. In time, other materials became available (tapes, bedad!) and then the internet allowed for greater listening opportunities, but it was only when I started up with Let’s Learn Irish that I finally had the chance to learn to speak Irish! Encountering the modern spoken language has been an amazing experience, although “is deachair sean-nós a bhriseadh” as, to the occasional dismay of the TEG A1 and A2 examiners, my West Muskerry instincts are ever ready to take the wheel!
I am looking forward to expanding my ability to speak and interact with other students and native speakers in the coming semesters. I can’t imagine a more convenient, efficient, and friendly way to progress in our mother tongue than Let’s Learn Irish!
Cé Thusa?
Ainm/Name: Paul Curtin
Áit/Location: Buffalo, NY, USA
Leibhéal/Level: B1 Intermediate
Ról sa Chomhphobal/Role in the Community: Foghlaimeoir/Learner
Slí Beatha/Occupation: Dlídor/Atúrnae
Am ag foghlaim Gaeilge/Time learning Irish: Le fada!
Caithimh Aimseartha/Hobbies: Astronomy, math, mountains, music, snow, cats, music, bees, etc.
Cad is Fearr Leat?
Ceol/Music: Sean-nós
Amhrán/Song: Casadh an tSúgáin
Scannán/Film: Casablanca
Ainmhí/Animal: All of them, especially bees and cats.
Laoch(ra)/Hero(es): James Connolly, Shirley Chisholm.
Áit in Éirinn/Place in Ireland: Corca Dhuibhne, Dún Aonghasa, An tSionainn.
Frása Gaeilge/Irish Phrase: Mallacht mo chait ort!
Miotaseolaíocht/Irish Mythology: An Bradán Feasa/The Salmon of Knowledge.
Seanfhocal/Proverb: Éist le fuaim na habhann agus gheobhaidh tú breac.
Comhairle d’fhoghlaimeoirí nua/Advice for new learners of Irish: Don’t panic, and don’t lose yourself in the weeds. Every phrase learned is progress…but, yes you DO have to learn the changes at the beginnings of words. Fear not, there are toddlers in Donegal tonight who share your struggle!
Bígí páirteach!
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