Problematic aspects of learning Scottish Gaelic as a foreign language through another foreign language (English)
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| Year of publication | 2025 |
| Type | Appeared in Conference without Proceedings |
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| Description | Scottish Gaelic is currently experiencing a revival and growing interest as a rediscovered language. It is studied by both professionals and self-taught learners across the globe, not only in English-speaking countries. However, in some cases, learners encounter difficulties related to the availability of educational resources. In the Czech Republic, no textbooks for Scottish Gaelic are available in the Czech language, which forces native Czech speakers to rely on materials written in English. This reliance poses several challenges. A high level of English proficiency does not necessarily guarantee smooth acquisition of Scottish Gaelic. It also requires familiarity with linguistic terminology and the theoretical framework of English grammar. However, not all learners are trained linguists, and thus many face various difficulties when working with English-language textbooks. Furthermore, there are individuals interested in Scotland and Scottish Gaelic who do not speak English at all; for them, the path to learning Gaelic ends before it even begins. The development of learning materials in Czech would open the possibility of studying Gaelic to a wider audience and significantly support many others already engaged in its study. Moreover, a comparative approach—highlighting the similarities and differences between Czech and Gaelic grammar—could contribute to a deeper understanding of grammatical foundations and facilitate quicker and more effective navigation through the more challenging aspects of Gaelic acquisition. This paper focuses on the most common difficulties faced by native Czech speakers in learning Scottish Gaelic. Its aim is to provide a clear overview of the reasons for and benefits of developing Czech-language educational materials for the study of this language. |
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