Quote from Noam Chomsky

"We should recognize that there is enormous loss when the cultural wealth of a society disappears and that's encapsulated crucially in its language."

Benny Lewis Book Signing

I don't usually post often but today is an exception . Today I attended a talk by Benny Lewis the Irish Polyglot. Benny has a great blog and Youtube channel for learning languages. He speaks 12 languages ! which is really quite impressive for somebody who had average results in languages at school. Benny's approach to language learning is quite informal and relaxed in contrast to many traditional methods of language learning.He tells us "to not be afraid of making mistakes while learning languages" and not be afraid to practice with strangers.  He has traveled the world over learning and speaking languages, his enthusiasm for language learning is exhilarating and his ability to almost perfectly imitate regional accents is quite incredible. Benny's approach to language learning is quite revolutionary.He singed a copy of the book for me and wrote "go neiri leat" which translates to good luck in the national language of my country Irish or "Gaeilge". I hope this book will help me improve my Irish and maybe encourage me to learn another language.

His book is called "Fluent in 3 Months" and is available in bookstores worldwide and online

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0rlgUogwE4p0T4Rm87qeCA 

http://www.fluentin3months.com/

Summer is here !

Hello people Of the Internet, I would first like to you wish you all a wonderful summer.The last time I posted a blog entry was over a month ago.The weather is quite nice here in Ireland today which is quite a nice change I guess.I have spent some reading books, mainly philosophy such as the classic Nicomachean Ethics by Aristotle, it is quite a difficult read in my opinion but a timeless classic which has influenced so many philosophers over the years.I will be 19 years old 6 days from now, it really went fast.For some reason my Google plus account has over 5,700 views, I have no Idea where all these views have be coming from. Quite strange Indeed.

Since the last time I posted , a international conundrum has unfolded in Ukraine . It seems Russian speaking minorities in Ukraine either want greater Autonomy or want  their region to be incorporated into the Russian Federation. Nato have been quick to jump in, using this as a opportunity to give it some relevance in the 21st century. The US have being imposing Sanctions on Russia and a war of words has ensued. I wonder how things will turn out.

On the 29th of April I passed a fitness test for the Irish Naval Service Reserve. The Naval Service Reserve is a reserve force in Ireland that helps augment the Irish Naval Service. I Hope that I will be accepted into the naval service reserve as it will be a unique experience.

A Brief Introduction (+playlist)

Exciting Times !

Hello to anybody that reads this.Today is the 24th of march 2014. Here in Ireland it has been raining all Day, which comes as no surprise if you are Irish.Last Monday was St Patricks Day, they day where everybody is Irish, St Patrick was an early christian  saint from Britain who is celebrated as being the first person to bring Christianity to Ireland and for banishing snakes from Ireland. It is very unlikely that there was any snakes in Ireland to begin with !. "Snakes" was a methaphor for paganism which many experts believe. Anyway St Patricks Day is quite a unique event as it is one of the only national hoildays that is celebrated worldwide. Many famous landmarks around the world lit up green for the event.

What makes Ireland so great the other people have to celebrate our national Holiday ? I'm not sure. Recently I bought a book on Philosophy. I found it quite interesting and easy to understand, I also Bought The Nicomachean Ethics by Aristotle, which is a classic of the Ancient world, I find a little difficult to understand at times but nonetheless it is a great book. I haven't been posting anything on my blog recently as I was quite busy the last few weeks, But yeah this is my first blog entry in over a month I guess and I'm Pretty glad to to be writing it too. Typing is fun. Like really fun. Oh Yeah I just remembered on the 14th of march I went to see the stand up Comedian Tommy Tiernan who is one of the most successful comedians in Ireland, I was very impressed with his performance , it was also my first time ever going to a live stand up comedy event. The day After Ireland  bet France narrowly In the Rugby Union Six Nations Tournament. It was a great moment for the country and great timing too as  st patricks day was just 2 days Later !

                                         Ireland after their Victory










The man Himself.



                                                                                                     

Celtic Nations

 The Term Celtic Nation refers to any of the six traditional Celtic regions which includes, Brittany,Cornwall, Scotland, Ireland,Wales and the isle of Man.They all have have similar cultural traits like having a native Celtic Language. The culture of the Celtic People is Celebrated In festivals such as The Festival Interceltique de Lorient In Brittany, and the Pan Celtic Festival in Ireland.

The Celtic Countries all have a native Celtic Language, they are divided into two Groups which includes Goidelic (Manx,Irish,Scottish Gaelic) and Brythonic  (Cornish,Breton,Welsh) , Some of these languages have declined over the past century and have been oppressed in the past. Efforts are now been made to "restore" these languages and encourage non-native speakers to learn them.Some Celtic Languages are spoken in the Americas, where they were brought there by Scottish,Irish and Welsh Immigrants.

Cooperation between  Celtic Nations is encouraged by organisations such as the Celtic Congress and the Celtic league and they are many sporting events between the Celtic Nations.