Will's Class

Announcements

Update: Changes to Will's Class

Maureen is taking over beginners, starting with the Intro class, so she won't be in our room Feb 25 through March 18. March 25, we'll start a new regular beginner section, and we'll give up our room to the new group.

March 11 update: I think we need to give Maureen a chance to see how rooms work out on the 25th (not to mention handling all the St. Pat's stuff) before looking for a schedule for other activities. I will plan on giving no homework on the 18th, on the 25th Glenn and Kerry can decide whether to come to the beginners' room, or Wes's class, or take a night off ... and we can chat via e-mail about options then.

March 4: Glenn and Kerry and I chatted a little about options, didn't reach any clear conclusions, but:

It's clear that I wouldn't be teaching every week anymore. The question is whether we try to set up a once-a-month visit, maybe to work on a book (we discussed some books, I'm doing a little research).
Kerry is wondering whether she should just take a break, cut back a little. Glenn is interested in helping the beginners. They both could go to Wes's class, of course.
At any rate, we need to decide where people are going on the 25th ...

Last Time (March 11) (back to top)

Seanfhocal

Ní fearr duit Aoine a throscadh ná daradaol (deargadaol) a loscadh

The daradaol, or dardal in English, is a black beetle believed to be evil and perhaps poisonous. It is always whisked into the fire as soon as it is spotted.

This saying reflects the uniquely pagan brand of Christianity common in Ireland. Fasting on Friday, a Catholic practice, doesn't outweigh this superstition.

Comhrá

Brief, but we learned about the impact of impending blizzards on liquor sales.

Peig homework

We learned about how much Peig likes tobacco. Getting the gist wasn't hard, but there definitely are some twists in the way she says things, partly dialect, partly the changes in Irish over the last hundred years.

Audio

For listening practice, we started by filling in the blanks in a short excerpt describing Peig's arrival on the island after her marriage (the dictation and answers are in the new homework handout). Marriages were often arranged, and you might meet your spouse only a short time before the wedding, there's more on that in the handout.

The handout also includes a tale from the much-admired storytellerl "An Bhab," along with her background. We have a recording of Bab herself telling the story.

Homework for March 18

New handout: we did the short dictation from Peig in class, translate the results for next time, as well as Bab's tale. The latter looks long, but as is often the case in storytelling, there is plenty of repetition.

Previous Class (March 4) (back to top)

Seanfhocal

Chuala mé an chuach agus gan bia i mo bhroinn,
An chéad seilide ag siúl ar an leac lom,
Uan dubh agus a thóin liom,
Agus nárbh fhurasta dom a aithinte nach n-éireodh an bhliain sin liom

Bad omens.

Comhrá

Good chat, good work!

Poetry

We reviewed two poems by Ó Riordáin, prehaps Munster's most famous poet. Nice little works, one with a standard meter and near rhyming, the other more free form

Audio

For listening practice, we heard an RnaG interview with a physical therapist who had a company that helped people deal with stress, including the extra stress around Christmas. She had an interesting mix of English and Irish -- introducing us to the verb "relaxáil".

Comments and questions are welcome via e-mail