Filed under: Internet Love, irish language | Tags: affair, dell, disease, irish, language, lazy, LOVE, rte, teapot
The more that happens in my life, the less I write about it. It’s been a busy week, so I’ve been a lazy blogger. Busy, and my keyboard seems to have developed some sort of disease that makes it only register every second letter I type. Infuriating.
It’s always sad when a love affair ends; whether it’s with a life partner or a household gadget. We rely on these things to make our lives work smoothly, and it’s a real shock to find that you’re suddenly free on Friday nights, that nobody is going to fix the broken light in the landing, or that it’s not possible to print a Word file in a hurry anymore.
Although I don’t have anything nice to say about my laptop right now, I’m feeling generous when it comes to this teapot (and everything else on this site).
Yum.
Yep, I know it’s a lazy post, but it’s nearing 2am and the only things on my mind right now are finishing the RTE Guide crossword and dreaming teapot themed dreams.
Óiche Mhaith
Filed under: LOVE, Relationships, Single life | Tags: argument, communication, crossword, education, language, modes of learning, ray lamontagne, study, wii
I was sitting here listening to Ray LaMontagne, about to get stuck into a crossword, when the boys arrived. The Pirate and his best mate are having a vigorous rowing match on the Wii before going to soccer later. Of course it’s normal and healthy to have different interests, but is there a point when those differences become too much?
I had a powerful insight into my relationship with The Pirate a few months ago. It was during another argument where I was getting increasingly frustrated because he would barely speak to me. He’d shrug, or nod, or grunt, or ask ‘What do you want me to say?’ That argument, and many others, were never resolved – simply because we found it impossible to communicate.
I realised that it was a problem we’d never solve. And I realised that there’s a straightforward reason for it: we learn and operate in different ways.
I’m really interested in how we learn – the mechanisms and techniques that we use to intake and store information. I’m a firm believer in the ‘modes of learning’ that the Accelerated Learning method is based on. Bear with me while I quickly explain:
The 8 Modes:
Linguistic – good with language and words, learn well from books, words, conversations
Mathematical/Logical – good with numbers and logic, money, problem-solving
Visual/Spatial – learn well from maps, diagrams, charts; possibly artistic
Naturalistic – enjoy the outdoors, care for the environment, learn well from ‘big picture’ explanations
Bodily/Physical – good with hands, possibly athletic, learn well from touching, feeling and doing
Musical – sense of rhythm and rhyme, learn well through music and rhyme
Interpersonal – enjoy being with others, learn well in study group or by giving presentations etc.
Intrapersonal – learn from own experience and mistakes, find it easy to motivate self
We all use the various modes – but some will be more dominant than others. As far as Accelerated Learning is concerned, having an understanding of which learning modes are your most dominant will help you to learn more effectively and get more enjoyment out of studying. For example, someone who is Physical/Bodily will benefit from field trips and hands-on practice much more than from reading or watching presentations.
I believe that these learning modes affect other areas of our lives too. I’m Linguistic – I’ve always loved reading, writing and talking and find it easy to learn from the written and spoken word. It seems that in a relationship I need verbal (or written!) reassurance of love.
I’m starting to believe that a lot of the problems couples have come down to the differences in how they learn. The Pirate is bodily/physical in his work, in his interests, and in his communication. I’m linguistic in almost all aspects of my life, and I never heard the words I needed to from him.
Filed under: irish language, patriotism, proverbs | Tags: irish, language, proverb, teanga
Irish seanfhocail (proverbs) often come to my mind at the strangest times. Hungover mornings, I think ‘oíche aerach is maidin brónach’, which is a proverb and a life lesson I was never taught at school. It means ‘a good night and a sad morning.’ True that. Times of major stress or self-doubt I remember ‘ná mol agus ná cáin thú féin’ which means ‘never praise nor criticise yourself’. My personal favourite is ‘ar scáth a chéile a mhairimid’ which translates to ‘we all exist in each others’ shadow’.
Why are Chinese proverbs so commonly quoted, and the Irish ones consistently overlooked? How did the Chinese end up with the reputation of wise sages, and the Irish somehow became whisky-loving, rainbow-chasing, reel-dancing drunkards? I actually enjoy the reputation, as any Irish person who has ever left the country probably does. But I’m starting to worry about the lack of recognition our language, our history, our heritage is getting. There’s more to Ireland than Arthur Guinness and Riverdance.
Last night I watched an episode of ‘Glas Vegas’, an Irish language talent show on the country’s only Irish TV station. (I should clarify that when I say Irish TV Station, I mean the majority of the programmes shown are in the Irish language.) I was amazed that most of the contestants didn’t speak a word of Irish, and that those who did spoke it badly. Can anyone tell me what the point is of filming a show like that? Is it to highlight the desperate need for a revival of the Irish language? I hope so. If it was simply meant to entertain, it fell way short of the mark.
Give me back my language, please. I’ve decided to take part in EVERY Irish-language event held in Ireland’s south-east this year, and to speak Irish with anyone who could string a reply together. There’s one beautiful Irish saying I haven’t mentioned yet – ‘tír gan teanga, tír gan anam’. ‘A country without a language is a country without a soul’.
