Audio Tapes
With a language like Gaelic, where you are unlikely to know a native speaker to talk to, and where the written language uses different conventions than English, tapes of native speakers are essential.
There are lots to choose from. Two good things about audio tapes are that you can study at odd times (like driving to work) and they are the same format in all countries (unlike video tapes.)
There are other tape/book sets which we have not mentioned here. I've stuck to those I know most about, and which seem the most useful. If you think something should be added, let me know.
I recommend making a copy of any language tape and then using the copy. These tapes can be hard to get and expensive – you may be quite upset if your player eats one. Under copyright laws, you may make one copy for your personal use. Making copies for other people is not only against the law, but robs the maker of profits and is not supportive of the language.
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A set of children's tales, this book comes with 4 tapes of the tales as well. The stories are about fairies, animals, old men and women, and work and money. These tapes are dead gorgeous. Well-recorded, well-read, beautiful voices that you can listen to like background music. |
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One book with video and audio tapes. Two tapes. The tapes seem to be poorly recorded (I'm listening to a copy of a copy of a...well, you get the idea, so I may be mistaken,) and are often hard to understand. The conversations are pretty fast. Probably worth trying to find (they are out of print) if you are using the video tapes or book. |
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CLI (Comann an Luchd Ionnsachaidh), the Gaelic Learner's Society in Scotland puts out a nice bilingual magazine 4 times a year. They also sell tapes of the Gaelic part being read – a 90-minute tape. The reader has a pleasant voice and does a good job (although I always feel sorry for him, as he sounds so tired by the end.) He's a learner, but a good learner. Worth getting. |
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In 1991 and 1992, Donnie Macdonald (a native speaker from Lewis) produced this bilingual magazine in California. It is still available in back issues, 8 of them. Each issue comes with an audio tape, as well, with Donnie reading the Gaelic part of the magazine slowly on one side, and at speed on the other. Donnie has a good voice, and it's a useful set to have. The slow side is particularly nice for practicing your comprehension. |
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There are 4 tapes, purchasable separately or as a set, each with a small book. The tapes are not of modern sound quality and are just someone reading each word and sentence from the book. Not for the beginner because of the format and recording quality, but the more experienced learner will like this one – especially since each tape is recorded by a different speaker from a different part of Scotland. |
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A complete correspondence course leading to the Scottish Certificate of Education 'O' Grade Examination. 3 books, exam modules, and 6 tapes. Available from the Books Council, and possibly other sources, and expensive. We have no experience with the course. We would appreciate input from anyone who has. |
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Gàidhlig Troimh
Chòmhradh |
3 sets (purchasable separately or together,) each containing a book and 3 tapes. Highly conversational, the emphasis is on repetitive drills. These tapes are wonderful! They are the closest thing available to a language lab for Gaelic. Catriona's accent and voice are perfect, and the phrases will not leave your head. Not available in bookstores, see the Purchasing Sources Page, and in particular the Gaelic College. Highly recommended. |
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Hugo: Scottish Gaelic in 3
Months |
2 tapes which may be purchased with a companion book. Most people tend to advise buying the book without the tapes. The conversations seem stilted – most of the production of the course seems to have gone into grammar and not tape quality. They are not very useable without the book – not good car tapes. However, these are native speakers, and if you are using the book as your only text, you may wish to listen to the tapes, too. |
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OK Ma Tha and OK Ma Tha 2 |
2 sets of 2 tapes each – 3 hours on each set. These were radio shows broadcast in Perthshire, of all places. Each set is accompanied by a small booklet giving spelling for the Gaelic words. We have Dolina, who is a native speaker from Lewis. She is accompanied by Calum, a Perthshire resident who wants to learn Gaelic and has the guts to try to do it on the radio. Each show consists of a talk, in English, on some aspect of Scottish life or history by an expert. Dolina then takes words from the talk and gives the vocabulary in Gaelic to Calum, poor fellow. Not any kind of intense language experience – but a lot of fun. |
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Each of the 4 series in Speaking Our Language has a set of audio tapes (2 or 3 tapes). There are books and videos as well. These are excellent car tapes, since you don't need any written materials to go with them. Lots of repetition and many speakers. As with all of the Speaking Our Language series, this concentrates on common phrases and is very well produced. Highly recommended. |
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Teach Yourself Gaelic |
A book and two tapes. The book may be purchased without the tapes, but not vice versa. If you get the book, get the tapes, as the tapes are excellent. They concentrate on the dialogs, are easy to listen to, and may be used in the car without the book. Great to listen to even when you don't know what's going on. The tapes start out slow, and the speaker's speed increases. Highly recommended. |
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Teach Yourself Gaelic |
This is the original Teach Yourself book, as opposed
to the new one above. The book is out of print. There are sets of
tapes available from: Donald Macdonald |
