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.
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Go into the incomplete section and follow the all the steps in the section to complete the topic.
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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?
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Extra step for small screens
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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.
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Bilingual transcription: Splaoid ealanta
Bilingual transcription: An artistic trip
Why not take an artistic trip in the company of Calum MacIlleathain?
Sin sibh a chàirdean. Tha ceist agam: Dè ur beachd ormsa? Tha amharas agam–I suspect–tha amharas agam that you think of me like this: Phew!
Nise tha e fìor gu bheil mi rudeigin craicte–somewhat bonkers –rudeigin craicte airson pàirt den ùine. Ach uaireannan tha mi mar a tha sibh gam fhaicinn an-dràsta: socair agus sèimh–still and peaceful–socair agus sèimh.
Agus ’s e an taobh sin a tha gam fhàgail a-muigh air an dùthaich an-diugh. Nach àlainn an cruth-tìre air iomall–on the outskirts of–air iomall monadh Phentland. Agus am measg nan cnoc, tha gàrradh ealain–an art garden–gàrradh ealain.
I’m not much of gardener, and not much of an artist. But I hope to find some understanding of both in Little Sparta. Hang on, I am an artist, cò sgrìobh an scriopt seo?
‘S e GeorgeGilliland an gàirnealair–gardener –gàirnealair. Bidh esan a’ coimhead às dèidh Little Sparta an-diugh ach b’ e an neach-ealain–artist –neach-ealain, Ian Hamilton Finlay a dhealbh an gàrradh inntinneach seo.
Tha gu leòr obair aig George airson a chumail trang fad na bliadhna. Looking after the garden is a year round job for George. Leis cho easgaidh ‘s a tha mi, thug mi lamh cuideachaidh dha.
Calum: Can you tell me a little about what Iain Hamilton Findlay, what he was like?
George: Sure he wasn’t actually a gardener. He was a poet and an artist. He found he could translate his work into the landscape setting.
Calum: How involved was he in the creation of this place?
George: Many of the early pieces he had to install and make himself or just dig out the ponds. So that probably allowed him to have an intimate knowledge of the space and the land and how it worked.
Calum:Where does the name little sparta come from?
George: So Sparta and Athens were warring city states and Edinburgh is obviously known as the Athens of the North as the centre of learning during the enlightment. So Little Sparta sits in opposition of the cultural hiararchy of its more illustrious neighbour.
Calum:I’ve seen various carved stones, can you tell me some of the things I might find?
George: The main themes of the garden are, it’s the garden of the sea, there’s also the classical world, and then the French Revelution which is just by us here.
Calum: I’ve heard there is some Gaelic to found here…
George: There is indeed and appropriately enough in the English parkland there’s a dry stone dyke with an enscription which translates to “The beginning and the end of life is herding.”
Chan e gàrradh a tha seo ach tachartas. Tha an ealain ga do choinneachadh anns a’ bhad-immediately–anns a’ bhad. This isn’t a garden, it is an event, art meets you the minute you arrive.
It surprises you and makes you think. “‘S e toiseach is deireadh an duine a’ bhuachailleachd–the beginning and end of life is herding.” Mar gach nì eile tha seo a’ toirt ort smaoineachadh–it makes you think –a’ toirt ort smaoineachadh.
Tha an t-àite seo a’ tighinn rium gu mòr. Tha an gàrradh seo ealanta, tha e air a dhealbh gu sgileil agus tha e a’toirt ar sùilean is ar n-eanchainnean air turas air leth. It captivates all of the senses.
Ach àn dèidh a bhith socair agus sèimh airson uair a thìde no dhà… tha mi smaoineachadh gu bheil mi air ais san àbhaist a-rithist. Chì mi uaireigin eile thu Joy!