Here’s a game for Scottish Gaelic learners that you can play with a partner or a larger group. Fichead Ceist – Twenty Questions is a classic game that builds vocabulary around describing things. In this game, one person thinks of an item and then the rest of the players ask questions until they guess what it is. However, players can only ask questions that can be answered with a yes or a no.
If you’re competitive, try to do it as quickly as possible – in less than 20 questions. Use your questions strategically to help you narrow things down.
Questions and Answers
Playing this game will also help you practice two very common Scottish Gaelic question and answer structures. The first let’s you ask about the item’s size, colour, or other characteristics. You’ll use this structure any time your question involves a describing word, i.e. an adjective.
A bheil e/i ___? Tha/Chan eil
Is it black?
Is it smaller than a fork?
A bheil e dubh?
A bheil e nas lugha na leabhar?
You’ll use the second structure when you’ve figured it out and you’re ready to guess! It’s known as the copula and it let’s you ask if the item is a noun, i.e. a person, place, or thing:
An e ___ a th’ ann? ‘S e/Chan e
Examples:
Is it a cat?
Is it a shoe?
An e cat a th’ ann?
An e bròg a th’ ann?
When our group started playing this game, we stuck to 10-ish questions because our vocabulary was limited. Do what works for your group. Playing games is a great way to practice your growing vocabulary and understanding of grammar. A game like this gives lots of chances to practice asking questions and answering yes and no. Plus, it can be played with limited and/or subject-focused vocabulary, This combo is what makes it a great game for Gaelic learners at any stage of fluency.
And don’t worry if you use the wrong structure! You can make a lot of mistakes in this game and still be understood. Games like this are for practice and fun. Do your best to have fun!
Deiseil agus deònach? Ready and willing? Keep reading to see how a game might play out!
Beathag & Anna play Fichead Ceist
Anna is thinking about the fridge in her kitchen. It’s a North American fridge. It’s white and has two doors.
Beathag: A bheil e nas motha na càr?
Anna: Chan eil
Beathag: A bheil e nas motha na bròg?
Anna: Tha
Beathag: A bheil e ann an taigh?
Anna: Tha
Beathag: A bheil e ann an seòmar-cadail?
Anna: Chan eil
Beathag: A bheil e anns a’ chidsin?
Anna: Tha!
Beathag: An e frids a th’ ann?
Anna: ‘S e!
And now for the replay in Beurla (English):
Beth: Is it bigger than a car?
Anna: No
Beth: Is it bigger than a shoe?
Anna: Yes
Beth: Is it in a house?
Anna: Yes
Beth: Is it in a bedroom?
Anna: No
Beth: Is it in a kitchen?
Anna: Yes!
Beth: Is it a fridge?
Anna: Yes!
If you want more games to try with your group, scroll through our Resources section for more games for Gaelic learners.
And if you’re looking for vocabulary, why not take a look at these online dictionaries: Am Faclair Beag or LearnGaelic.scot’s Faclair.