FAQS
How do I type the Gaelic accents?
You can just copy and paste these
Lowercase letters
Uppercase letters
Keyboard shortcuts
Windows
Some simple ways to type grave accents in MS Windows, depending on which version you use. The grave accent ` is next to the number 1 at top of keyboard
à, è, ì, ò, ù Ctrl+`, release and type letter;
À, È, Ì, Ò, Ù Ctrl+Shift+`, release and type letter
OR
Alt key + character code on the numeric keypad on right of keyboard (laptops will vary). Ensure that the NUMLOCK is on.
à Alt+133 or 0224
è Alt+138 or 0232
ì Alt+141 or 0236
ò Alt+149 or 0242
ù Alt+151 or 0249
À Alt+0192
È Alt+0200
Ì Alt+0204
Ò Alt+0210
Ù Alt+0217
Mac
Push and hold a character to bring up a menu and choose.
E.g. hold the letter e to choose the letter è
What is the Gaelic Alphabet?
> Aa, Bb, Cc, Dd, Ee, Ff, Gg, Hh, Ii, Ll, Mm, Nn, Oo, Pp, Rr, Ss, Tt, Uu
For more information visit LearnGaelic’s Scottish Gaelic Alphabet https://learngaelic.scot/scottish-gaelic-alphabet.jsp
How do I pronounce Gaelic sounds?
SpeakGaelic always gives you a sound file for the word you are learning. For more information on individual sounds, visit LearnGaelic’ Sounds section https://learngaelic.scot/sounds/index.jsp
What are slender and broad vowels?
The slender vowels are e and i.
All the others are broad.
SpeakGaelic says my email is taken and I can’t log in. Can you help?
This is usually because your account has not been properly activated – there should be an email from us with a link to activate your account (remember to check spam / junk folders too). If you can’t find the email, let us know.
If you have already activated your account, you may be on the wrong page. Please ensure you are on the login page and not the registration page.
Can you fix my link SpeakGaelic emailed to activate my account?
Yes – please forward us the email to fios@speakgaelic.scot and ask us to activate your account.
How do I log in after activating my account?
Please make your way to the login page.
Can you help me move on after completing a test?
This commonly happens if you have not logged on. You also need to have passed with 60% correct answers, if you think you have been unfairly treated, let us know. We may have a mistake in that particular test and we will fix it.
My dashboard says I’ve completed X number of topics but I should have more. How do I complete all steps to finish my topics?
You should be able to scroll and expand each topic to see which one has a step missed out. In the following example, all the sections apart from the intro and completed topic section have been completed, so the topic is incomplete.
Go into the incomplete section and follow the all the steps in the section to complete the topic.
How can I see how many steps I have missed out?
You can tell how many steps are in each section by the score on the counter at the top of the page.
How can I see what steps I have missed out?
You can see these by going to the left-hand side of screen of any section and selecting See Lesson Content. Mobile users have an extra fist step, you can see this extra step below.
This will pull out all an index of all the pages and you can see your progress – a completed section will have a big green tick, an incomplete section will be empty. To resolve, navigate to the incomplete pages. If a quiz has not been completed it will be blue. if it is complete, the quiz icon is green.
Extra step for small screens
Mobile users will have an extra step: you have to select the three stacked lines (officially known as the hamburger) beofre the other steps.
How do I report an error?
Either use the contact form or send us an email at fios@speakgaelic.scot. Please send us the page title at the top of page (or URL) with a short description of error. If you can send a screengrab, that will help us identify the issue.
Why isn’t my sound working?
This is usually as something is muted somewhere on your device. Check volume controls, speaker settings and device settings. Please make sure you are pressing the speaker icon.
Why was I marked wrong on this quiz question?
We hate to break it to you, but you might be wrong. Check you have read the question correctly. Please ensure your apostrophes are facing the correct way and finally make sure you don’t have too many spaces.
If you think you have been unfairly treated, let us know. We may have a mistake in that particular test and we will fix it. Either use the contact form or send us an email at fios@speakgaelic.scot. Please send us the quiz title at the top of page (or URL) with a short description of error. If you can send a screengrab, that will help us identify the issue.
Can you translate something for me?
We are a tiny wee team and our main focus is on our resources. There are also professional translators who will talk you through your requirements and provide appropriate translations (some words may be context-dependent). We can send you a list of professional translators if you need them.
I think I’ve found a typo/mistake on the website. How do I report this?
Either use the contact form or send us an email at fios@speakgaelic.scot. Please send us the page title at the top of page (or URL) with a short description of error. If you can send a screengrab, that will help us identify the issue.
Why won't you provide your email address in a format I can open?
We will get ambushed by spam! If you email fios@speakgaelic.scot we will get back to you as soon as possible. Please don’t be mean, we are human beings and it will ruin our day!
Need more help or see something that is not working?
Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you see anything wrong or if you want to leave us a message.
Bilingual transcription: Còmhdhail
Bilingual transcription: Transport
A Phàdruig?
(Padraig?)
(Is mi. Agus cò thusa?)
I am. And who are you?
Is mise Luc. Thuirt Etta rium gum biodh tu an seo.
(I’m Luc. Etta said you would be here.)
Ach ciamar a bha fios agad cò mi?
(But how did you know it was me?)
Thuirt Etta gum biodh poca-droma mòr agad!
(Etta told me you would have a big backpack!)
Aidh, tha e mòr agus trom.
(Aye, it’s big and heavy. Is Etta in the office?)
A bheil Etta anns an oifis?
Chan eil. Bha dùil aice riut bho chionn uair a thìde.
Cha b’ urrainn dhi fuireach.
(No. She was expecting you an hour ago. She couldn’t wait.)
Aww, bha i a’ dol a thoirt lioft dhomh gu taigh caraid. Tha e a’ fuireach pìos a-mach às a’ bhaile.
(She was going to give me a lift to a friend’s house. He lives a distance out of town.)
An ann air a’ bhus a thàinig thu? Thuirt Etta gun robh thu a’ tighinn air a’ bhus.
(Did you come by bus? Etta said you were coming on the bus.)
Chaidh mi air a’ bhus cheàrr.
An uair sin chaidh mi air bus eile, agus bha e cho slaodach.
Sin as coireach gu bheil mi cho fadalach.
(I went on the wrong bus. Then, I went on another bus, and it was so slow. That’s why I’m so late.)
Bhiodh tu na b’ fheàrr an trèana fhaighinn. Saoilidh mi gur i as luaithe.
(You’d be better getting the train. I think it’s faster.)
Chan eil mi cho eòlach air còmhdhail a’ bhaile.
Nach i an trèana as cosgaile?
(I’m not used to the transport in this city. Isn’t the train most expensive?)
‘S i. Tha i beagan nas cosgaile ach, tha i nas luaithe agus tha i nas cofhurtaile cuideachd. Gu h-àraidh le baga-droma mar sin.
(It’s a bit dearer, but a lot faster. The train is more comfortable as well. Especially with a backpack like that.)
A bheil am baile a’ còrdadh riut?
(Are you enjoying the city?)
Tha – tha e eadar-dhealaichte bho bhith anns an Eilean.
Chan eil ach mìos bhon a thàinig mi dhan cholaiste.
(Yes, it’s different from being in Skye. There’s only a month since I came to college.)
Ciamar a bhios tu a’ siubhal dhan cholaiste?
(How do you travel to college?)
Tha mi a’ fuireach ann an talla-còmhnaidh nan oileanach.
Tha sin faisg air a’ cholaiste agus ‘s fheàrr leam coiseachd.
(I’m living in a student hall of residence. It’s near the college and I prefer to walk.)
Leis a sin?
(With that?)
Chan eil e ro dhona nuair nach eil an t-astar fada.
(It’s not too bad when it’s not a great distance.)
Ciamar a thàinig thu a-nuas às an Eilean?
An ann air a’ bhus a thàinig thu?
(How did you come down from the Island? Did you travel on the bus?)
Chan ann. Thug m’ athair a-nuas mi, anns a’ chàr – mi-fhìn agus dà bhogsa-ciùil.
(No. My father took me down in the car, myself and two accordions.)
Am b’ urrainn dhut trèana fhaighinn dhan Eilean?
(Could you get a train to the Island?)
Rachainn air an trèana le cinnt ach chan eil trèana a’ dol dhan Eilean.
Ciamar a bhios tusa a’ siubhal anns a’ bhaile?
An ann air an trèana? Neo a bheil càr agad?
(I’d go on the train for sure but the train doesn’t go to the Island. How do you travel in town? On the train? Do you have a car?)
Chan eil càr agam.
Tha cuibhlichean eile agamsa…
(I don’t have a car. I have other wheels.)
Ach saoilidh mi nach biodh baidhsagal idir feumail dhutsa!
(But a bike wouldn’t be any use to you!)
O sgoinneil! Gheibh mi lioft. Tha Etta air ais.
(Fantastic! I’ll get a lift. Etta’s back.)
Tìoraidh.
(Bye.)