Topaic / Topic: Fuaimeanna / Sounds: -ua Gaeilge do Thuismitheoirí – An Fhoghlaim Neamhspleách 1

One of the sounds that causes learners difficulty in Irish is the diphthong. A diphthong is when 2 vowel sounds come next to each other. ‘Luas’ is a good example – there are 2 vowel sounds in ‘Luas’ – it’s not pronounced ‘loose’. Listen to these words: suas, luas, rua, tua, luath, fuar, thuaidh. On the next slide you will heat a well-known Irish song from a CD for children called Amhrán is Fiche – you will hear the sounds in context in the song.

An maidrín rua, rua, rua, rua, rua An maidrín rua, tá gránna Now listen to the song and pay attention to the pronunciation of the words in bold from the refrain: An maidrín rua, rua, rua, rua, rua An maidrín rua, tá gránna An maidrín rua ina luí sa luachair Agus barr dhá chluais in airde Listen again and sing along!

You can purchase Amhrán is Fiche from Fios Feasa at www. fiosfeasa You can purchase Amhrán is Fiche from Fios Feasa at www.fiosfeasa.com/product.asp?id=44