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SeallagainGaelicGrammarataGlance

by

CatrìonaNicÌomhairParsons

CONTINUINGEDUCATION,UNIVERSITYOFOTAGOMĀTARAKAAUROA,TEWHAREWĀNANGAOOTĀGO

OtepotiDunedin,AotearoaNewZealand

2016

Publishedin2016by

CONTINUINGEDUCATION,UNIVERSITYOFOTAGOMĀTARAKAAUROA,TEWHAREWĀNANGAOOTĀGO

OTEPOTIDUNEDIN,AOTEAROANEWZEALANDEditedbyAindriasHirt

Seallagain:GaelicGrammarataGlance©2016CatrìonaNicÌomhairParsons

ISBN978-0-9952632-0-8:book(sizeA4)ISBN978-0-9952632-1-5:electronicbookISBN978-0-9952632-2-2:book(sizeU.S.Letter)

Thecoverartofatarge,aGaelicshield,wasinspiredbytheScottishtargethoughttocommemoratethefoundingoftheGaelicSocietyofNewZealandinDunedin,1881,andheldattheToitüOtagoSettlersMuseum,Dunedin.Inscribedon this targe are thewords “ComunnGaidhealach,N.Z. 1881. FarAmFaigheadhCoigreachBaigh”(GaelicSociety,N.Z.1881.Wherethestrangerwouldreceivekindness).

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ThisbookisdedicatedtothememoryofDrs.EvelynRobertsonEntwistle(1930-2016)andRobertEntwistle(1930-2016).Evelyn,borninGlasgow,Scotland,andRobert,borninCarlisle,justacrosstheEnglishborder,metwhiletheywereuniversitystudentsinDundee; theymarried in 1956, and in 1961, emigrated to Dunedin, New Zealand.Evelyn and Bob both taught at the University of Otago, she in the field of TextileChemistryandheinNuclearPhysics.

BothwerefaithfulandhardworkingmembersoftheGaelicSocietyuntilitsclosurein2006.In1973,aftertakingontheleadershipoftheGaelicChoir,EvelynattendedaGaelicSchoolinStornoway,Lewis,interestedasshewasintheGaeliclanguageandintentonensuringauthenticpronunciationbythechoir.BobservedasChiefoftheGaelicSociety1976-78,1984,2000,and2004-06whileEvelynservedasChiefin1986.

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INTRODUCTION

IfirstheardaboutGaeliclanguageandsongteacherCatrionaParsonsinJanuary2013whenLiamMcIlvanney,theStuartProfessorofScottishStudiesattheUniversityofOtago,askedmeto consider offering her intensive Scottish Gaelic Language course during Summer School2014.WeanticipatedthatmanyinDunedinwithScottishheritagewouldwelcomethechancetostudyGaelic,andsoitproved.CatrionataughttheContinuingEducationGaeliclanguagecoursethefollowingsummertoasmallbutenthusiasticgroup,gettingthemtonotonlyspeakinGaelic,buttosinginitaswell.ItwaswonderfultobringtheGaeliclanguagetoDunedin,inspiringpeopleheretoread,write,andspeakinthisancientlanguage.

WhenCatrionareturnedtoteachduringthe2016SummerSchool,shenotonlytaughtthescheduled course, but an additional Gaelic language course that attracted an even largergroupofeager learners.Thesestudentsweresoenthusiastic theykeptmeetingforweeksafterthecoursehadfinished.Inspiredbyagreatteacheraswellasloveofthislanguage,thegroupnowwanttokeeplearningandisresurrectingtheGaelicSocietyofNewZealandastheGaelicSocietyofOtago.

Overthesummerof2016,CatrionastayedoncampusintheSummerSchoolaccommodationprovidedbyUniversityCollege,tothedelightofallinhabitants.Gaelicwasheardinthatdininghallmanytimes,aspoetry,song,andgreetingspepperedtheconversation.GaelicwasalsoheardintheUniversityStaffClubwhereCatrionaconnectedoverafternoonteawithpoetSueWootton andher students studying “Poetry in theCity of Literature”, another ContinuingEducationcourse.Therewasgreatsynergybetweenthesegroups–Iguessit’sthepowerofwords to connect and inspire. And I don’t know if it’s Catriona’s love of Gaelic, ofcommunicating,orofpeoplethatwarmseveryonewhocomesincontactwithher.Probablyit’sallthree.Butwhateveritis,thisrichlanguagelivesagainintheSouthlargelyduetohergenerosityandefforts.

WearetrulyhonouredandgratefulthatCatrionahaschosentosharethiswonderfullanguageresource,andIamdelightedtosupportthispublication.

Thasinna’toirttaingdoChatrionaairsonnanoidhirpeanaiceagus’seardùrachdgusoirbhichleatha’sanàmriteachd.

DrElaineWebster June,2016

Director,SummerSchool&ContinuingEducationUniversityofOtagoDunedin,NewZealand

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FOREWORD

WhentheScotleaveshisnativelandtogofurthofScotlandandsettleinsome other part of the world, he invariably takes his culture and hiscustomswithhim,andthishasbeentotheadvantageandbenefitoftherestoftheworld…TheGaeliclanguagehasitsrootsinantiquity;itwastheancient language of Scotland and even in this changing world is stillpreservedandtreasuredinsomepartsoftheHighlands.Indeedthereisarevivalof interest intheoldtonguealloverScotlandandnotonly inScotlandbutinmanypartsoftheworldthebondoflanguageisholdingmanycommunitiestogether.AHighlanderfindsinGaelica languageinwhich he can better express his inmost thoughts and emotions, andappreciatehisancienttraditionsandculture…

In1981,whenWilliamBrown,M.B.E.pennedthesewordsintheforewordtotheCentennialBook of the Gaelic Society of New Zealand, the Gaelic language in Scotland was indeedbeginning toexperiencea resurgence;and itwasn’t long toobeforeanewanddedicatedeffortwasunderwaytomaintainandadvancethelanguageinNovaScotia,Canada,theonlyplaceoutsideScotlandwherealivingGaeliccommunityhasprevailed.Ittooksometimeandmucheffort,butintheGaelicLanguage(Scotland)Act2005,GaelicwasfinallygrantedequalstatuswithEnglish;andin2006,theNovaScotiaOfficeofGaelicAffairswasinstitutedbytheprovincialgovernment.

Ahundredyearsearlier,in1881,thoseGaelswhowereamongtheFreeChurchofScotlandimmigrantstotheOtagoPeninsula,andwhowouldhelptobuildthecityofDunedinandfoundtheUniversityofOtago,setforthaplanfortheformationoftheNewZealandGaelicSociety.Its chief objectiveswere “to foster andperpetuate theGaelic language, to encourage thecultivationofGaelicliteratureandmusic,toestablishbranchsocietiesthroughoutthecolonyofNewZealand,togenerallytakecognisanceofallmatterswhichmaybeconsideredofspecialinteresttoHighlanders”.

Inthecenturybetween,theNewZealandGaelicSocietycontinuedtomeetandadvanceitsprinciples.ThecentennialhistoryoftheSociety,writtenbyEvelynEntwistle,includesalistoftheSocietyChiefs,thirty-threeinallfrom1881tothe1980s,amongthemsomeimportantGaels inNewZealandhistory.We learnof thenotablepipers,dancers,Gaelic singersandBardsthattheSocietyboastedthroughtheyears;andpicturesthroughoutthehistorybringusintotheworldofthesocietyinapersonalway.ThishistorydescribesasignificantpartofNewZealand’sGaelicheritage;andadebtofgratitudeisowedtosuchmembersasDrs.RobertandEvelynEntwistle,bothofwhosefuneralsIattendedinDunedininearly2016,fortheirfaithfulness inpromoting theSociety into the21st century.Thisbookrepresentsamodestefforttoacknowledgetheircontribution.

Ibelievethatthey,togetherwiththefoundersandmembersoftheSocietythroughtheyears,wouldrejoicethatintoday’sworld,descendantsofimmigrantGaelscanreachouttoeachotherandsharetheirloveoftheGaeliclanguageanditscultureinglobalcommunity:fromScotlandtosuchplacesasSeattle,Washington,andGrandfatherMountain,NorthCarolina,inthe United States; to Vancouver and Toronto, and Nova Scotia, Canada; to Sydney, Cape

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Breton,Canada,andSydney,Australia;andfromalloftheseplaces–andmanymore–toNewZealand.Letuscelebrateourjointheritageandcommunicateourdelightinit,throughoursharedknowledgeoftheGaeliclanguage.

My grateful thanks are dueAindriasHirt for formatting the text and recording theGaelicphrases;andtoDr.ElaineWebsteroftheUniversityofOtagoContinuingEducationprogramforsupportingthisprojectfromthebeginning.

CatrìonaNicÌomhairParsons June,2016

BeforeYouBegin

AsyouenterupontheadventureoflearningScottishGaelic,Irecommendthatyoudosowithamindopentoallkindsofpossibilities.Youwillencounterthemindofapeoplewithaworld-viewexemplifiedintheverystructureoftheirlanguage:infact,alllanguagesgivecluestothewayof thinkingof thosewho speak them.Some languages, for instance, suggest that thepassageoftimemaynotbeverymeaningful inthespecificculture.ThestructuresyouwillfindinGaelicarebothlogicalandexpressive:thoughGaelichasnoverb“tohave”,yetitcanindicate ownership by using the verb “to be” together with the simple preposition “at”declinedforperson–aneatandefficientwayofhandlingit!

Ialsorecommendthatyoutakeyourtimeandseektograspandunderstandthepatternsofthelanguageastheyareunveiled,stepbystep,glimpsebyglimpse,togetherwithpracticeofthesoundsandphrasesasheardontherecording.Ifyouarelearningtogetherwithagroup,somuch thebetter.Gradually, youwillbeable to formulateyourownsentences,both inspeechandwriting;youwillbecomeaccustomedtotheverbprecedingthesubject,theuseoflenition,the“possessionprinciple”,andthewaythatGaelicmakesuseofhowthevowelsinfluence pronunciation of consonants to handle grammatical differences—in noundeclensions,forinstance–bàrd:apoet;bàird:poets.Thetitleofthistextfollowsthesamepattern–seallagan:aglimpse,aglance;seallagain:glimpses,glances.

WhilethisbookintendstotakethenewlearnerthroughthestructuresofGaelicstepbystep,itwill also beuseful for the advanced learnerwhoneeds to confirm specific grammaticalpointssoastodevelopgreaterconfidencebothinspeechandwriting.

IndividualsofGaelicancestrythroughouttheworldarelearningtheirancestrallanguage;inthis mobile world, the world of the internet, you will become part of a global Gaeliccommunity.

Gusoirbhichgumathleat!Allsuccesstoyou!

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TABLEOFCONTENTS

Introduction......................................................................................................................vForeword........................................................................................................................viiTheBasicGaelicSentence.................................................................................................1TheArticle.........................................................................................................................1ThePersonalPronoun.......................................................................................................2Gender..............................................................................................................................2Lenition.............................................................................................................................3Pronunciation....................................................................................................................3OpenandCloseVowels.....................................................................................................4Backto“h”........................................................................................................................5Names...............................................................................................................................6Greeting............................................................................................................................6FurtheronSoundandStructure…......................................................................................7HowAreYou?...................................................................................................................8Basic(Substantive)Verb“ToBe”.......................................................................................8Questions........................................................................................................................10Cleachdadh(Practice)......................................................................................................11EmphaticEndings............................................................................................................12TheCopula......................................................................................................................13VerbalNouns..................................................................................................................13MoreonLenition.............................................................................................................14Cleachdadh:Eadar-theangachadh(Translation)..............................................................15Moreonthe“Small”,SimplePrepositions.......................................................................16ContinuingwiththeSimplePrepositions.........................................................................17IdiomaticExpressions......................................................................................................19Prepositions....................................................................................................................21MorePrepositions...........................................................................................................21EmphaticPerfectPast......................................................................................................23VerbalNounRootsandPastTenseofRegularVerbs.......................................................24ScottishGaelicStructure.................................................................................................26PossessivePronouns.......................................................................................................27ThePossessivePronounwithAnn...................................................................................29TheCopula:the“Assertive”Verb“ToBe”.......................................................................31ThePast/ConditionalTenseoftheCopula.......................................................................33RegularVerbs:FutureTense...........................................................................................34TheConditionalTense:a)BasicVerb“ToBe”;andb)RegularVerbs...............................37IF-Clauses........................................................................................................................38ReturningtotheDefiniteArticleandtotheNouns..........................................................40Continuingwiththe1stDeclensionMasculine+theArticle..............................................41TheFirstDeclensionMasculinewithDefiniteArticle,Continued.....................................44TheFirstDeclensionMasculinewithAdjectives...............................................................46TheFirstDeclensionFeminine.........................................................................................48TheFirstDeclensionFemininewithAdjectives................................................................49The“Small”Declensions..................................................................................................51

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AddendumtothePossessive(Genitive)Case..................................................................55IrregularVerbs:ThePastTense......................................................................................57IrregularVerbs:TheFutureTense...................................................................................61IrregularVerbs:TheConditionalTense...........................................................................65TwoIncompleteVerbs:May,Must.................................................................................68ThePassiveVoice:RegularVerbs....................................................................................70ThePassiveVoice:IrregularVerbs..................................................................................71Alternative“Passive”Formswitha’dol...........................................................................74Modals............................................................................................................................75TheCardinalNumbers:Traditional.................................................................................77TheOrdinalNumbers:Traditional...................................................................................80TheWatch,Timepiece:TheClock...................................................................................81SubordinateClauses........................................................................................................82NounClauses...................................................................................................................83ConsequentialandConditionalClauses...........................................................................83ConcessiveClauses..........................................................................................................84AdverbialClauses............................................................................................................84IndirectQuestions...........................................................................................................85ComparisonofAdjectives................................................................................................86Briathrana’ghràmair:GrammaticalTerms.....................................................................90Faclan:Vocabulary.........................................................................................................92

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1 SEALLAGAN–GRAMMARATAGLANCE

THEBASICGAELICSENTENCE

FIRST,thinkofgrammarastheuniquebuildingblocksorSTRUCTURESthatallowyoutomakemeaningfulutterancesinthatlanguage,oranylanguagethatyouchoose.Ifyou’reanadultandhaven’tlearnedGaelicatmother-knee,andevenifyouhave,soonerorlateryou’llhavetoconfrontstructureandhowthestructuresofGaelicandEnglisharedifferent.Sowe’llstartatthebeginning,bearinginmindthatwe’reonlytalkingBASICSnow:

WhileEnglishisa SUBJECT Verb Object (SVO)language

JIM woke John Gaelicisa VERB Subject Object (VSO)language

DHÙISG Seumas Iain

Andifyouwanttosay“JOHNwokeJim”inGaelic,itbecomesDHÙISGIainSeumas.Yousimplyswitch“Seumas”and“Iain”.ThesubjectALWAYScomesaftertheverbinGaelic,and,ifthere’sadirectobject –becauseobjectsmaybeabsent, it almostALWAYS comes right after thesubject.


THEARTICLE

SECOND,beginnersmayhaveahardtimegettingtheirheadsaroundtheideathatGaeliconlyhasaDEFINITEARTICLE (“the”inEnglish)withthenoun*andhasNO INDEFINITEARTICLE(“a”or“an”inEnglish).Thetroubleis,theselasttwolittleEnglishwordslookawfullylikeformsoftheGaelicDEFINITEARTICLE(a’,an)!Obh!Obh!(Gaelicgroan).Forexample:

Dhùisgcatcù:Acatwokeadog–admittedlynotalikelysentence!

NotethereisNOarticlewiththeindefinitenouninGaelic,onlythebarenounitself–but,ofcourse,theremaybeanadjectiveortwo!

Nowcomparethesamesentencewithadefinitearticleadded:

DhùisgANcatANcù:THEcatwokeTHEdog

Ciamarachanassibh…(Howdoyousay),“Thedogwokethecat”?

Ceart!Right!

Moreonthearticlelater...

*Anounisagrammaticaltermdesignatingawordthatnamessomething;averbdesignatesawordthatdenotesanaction.

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THEPERSONALPRONOUN

HerearethebasicpersonalpronounsinGaelic:

Singular/Singilte Plural/Iolra

FIRSTPERSON mi I,me sinn we,us

SECONDPERSON thu you(thou) sibh you(alsoformal)

THIRDPERSONe he,him,it

iad they,themi she,her,it

Neat,isn’tit?HerewehavegreatersimplicityinGaelicthaninEnglish.InEnglish,thepersonalpronounchangesitsform,forallbutthesecondperson,whenitisthedirectobject inthesentence (I➾me; he➾ himwe➾ us, etc.). But inGaelic, thedirect object formof thepersonalpronounretainsthesameformasthesubject.SO–rememberingwhatyoulearnedaboveaboutbasicGaelicsentencestructure–putEnglish“on”thefollowing:Dhùisgmithu,Dhùisgthumi,Dhùisgsibhiad,Dhùisgiade,Dhùisgisinn.

NOW…putGaeliconthefollowing:

Wewokeyou.Iwokethem.Youwokeher.Hewokeme.Jimwokeus.TheywokeIain.

Yes–sometimesGaelicislesscomplexinformthanEnglish.Butyouarealreadyawarethatithasitsowncomplexities!That’swhenthefunreallybegins.

Gusanaththuras…untilthenexttime…


GENDER

Nodoubtyoupaidattentiontothepersonalpronoun(thirdperson,singular)andnoticed:

e:he,him,it i:she,her,it

Yes– likeFrench,modernGaelichasnoneuter;nounsareeither treatedasmasculineorfeminine.This is calledGRAMMATICALGENDER,unlike thevastmajorityofEnglishnounswhichhaveNATURALGENDER.

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LENITION

You’remostlikelyalreadyawarethatsomethinginterestingandun-EnglishhappenswiththeletterhinGaelic.Inthefirstplace,GaelichastomakedowitheighteenlettersoftheRomanalphabetinsteadofthetwenty-sixthatEnglishuses:abcdefg[h]ilmnoprstuandofthese,thefollowingistrue:

h is usedas agrammaticalmarkerwhen it immediately followsan initial consonant; forexample,itmayindicatethepasttenseformofaregularverb:seehowtheinsertionofhtransformsthemeaninginthefollowing:

Dùisg!:Wake(up)! DùisgSeumas!:WakeJim(up)!

Noticethattheverbwithouthistheimperativeform(moreonthiswhenwelookatverbsmore closely). Add h after the initial consonant (which indicates that the pronunciationchanges),andyouhavethepasttense:

DhùisgSeumas:Jimwoke. DhùisgSeumasIain:JimwokeIain.

SO…you’regoingtofindhoccurringlikeacolourinatapestrybutalwaysstrategicallywhenit followsan initial consonant. The insertionofh in spelling indicatesa transformationofsound.Thisphenomenoniscalledlenitionbymodernlinguists;itsoldernameisaspiration.NotrueGaelicwordbeginswithh.

NOTE:theconsonantsl,n,rareexemptfrombeingsucceededbyh.Sotheconsonantswhichmay“suffer”lenitionare:b,c,d,f,g,m,p,s,t.

Moreonhlater...


PRONUNCIATION

PronunciationsofGaelicwordsarealwayspuzzlingto theuninitiated.But there’sakeytoeverypuzzle,eveninlanguages!InGaelic,contiguoussounds(soundsthatfolloweachotherdirectly)influenceeachothertoafargreaterdegreethaninEnglish.Let’sstartwiththevowelsounds:

Open¬

Close®

“TheBackVowels” a o u (Broad/VelarVowels)

“TheFrontVowels” e i (Slender/PalatalVowels)

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Theoldgrammarianssawthatthereweretwomainsetsofvowels:a,o,anduarepronouncedwiththebackof thetongueslightly raised,whichtheycalledthe“broad”vowels;modernlinguistsrefertothemasbackvowels.Vowelsiandearepronouncedwiththefrontpartofthetongueslightlyraised,theso-called“slender”vowels;modernlinguistsrefertothemasfrontvowels.Progressiveroundingofthelipstransformsaintooandthenu.Inboth“lines”ofvowels,asthetonguesqueezesagainsttheroofofthemouth,itpinchesthesound,makingvowelsmore“close”.Asthetonguedrops,thethroatbecomesmore“open”.

Theconsonantsc,d,g,l,n,s,andtareparticularlyinfluencedbyadjacentvowels:

cù ceart dà dé làn leann nòs nead

guth gin sonas sìth tùs teth

ComparethetwoGaelicwords:cala céilidh

Noticehowinthefirstword,thelhasaback/broadvowelbeforeit(a)andafterit(a);inthesecondword,thelhasafront/slendervowelbeforeit(i)andafterit(i).Thespellinggivesusunequivocal informationonhow topronounce the l inbetween.Notice thatwhencala ispronounced,thetipofthetonguestrikesthetopteethbutthetonguespreadsinthebacktomakethespecificback l-sound; the l incéilidh is like theEnglishsound in“let”wherethetonguetiptouchesthealveolarridge(toothridge).Theoldgrammariansdubbedthisspellingrule:Caolricaol,leathannrileathannor“Slendertoslender,broadtobroad”.Soconsonantsmustbeflankedinspellingbyvowelsofthesametype(eitherfrontorback).ThisexplainswhyGaelicwordssometimesseemtohaveonetoomanyvowelsinthespelling!However,thefinaleispronouncedinGaelic.


OPENANDCLOSEVOWELS

Stillonvowels…Youwillhavenoticedtheuseofgrave(`)andacute(´)accentsasinFrench.InScotland,they’vegonealtogethertothegraveaccentforlong–naturallystressed–vowels.InNovaScotia,wehaveretainedtheacuteaccent,basedonthedifferenceinsoundbetweenthefollowinglongvowels:

Ò/ɔ:/:mòr,òr,òl,etc. and Ó/o:/:mór,có,bó,etc.

And(likeFrench):

Ѐ/ε:/:fèith, and É/e:/:dé,gréim

Theacuteaccentisalsotraditionallyplacedontheaofsimpleprepositioná:“outof”,“from”.

Also…Gaelicwordstressisalmostalwaysonthefirstsyllable:Ciadmìlefàilte!(Ahundredthousandwelcomes!). InScotland,thewordforonehundred isstillspelledCEUD; inNovaScotia, the spelling (CIAD) reflects that the earlier é-sound of the eu has becomediphthongizedinalmostalldialects.

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BACKTO“H”

We’vecalledh agrammaticalmarker.RememberGaelichasonlymasculine and femininenouns.SOwatchthis…

a) We’re going to put the adjective math (good) with each of these words : feasgar(masculine,m.; inGaelic, fireannta)andmadainn (feminine, f.; inGaelic,boireannta).Pleasenoticethatthenounprecedestheadjective!:

Feasgarmath!:Goodafternoon! Madainnmhath!:Goodmorning!

Similarly:

Làmath!:Goodday! Oidhchemhath!:Goodnight!

As you can see, adjectives followingmasculine nouns do not “suffer” lenition. So it’simportant as you learn vocabulary to pay attention to which nouns are treated asfeminine.

b) Ifweputtheadverbglé (very)withaseriesofadjectivesbeginningwiththe lenitableconsonants –b, c, d, f, g, m, p, s, and t – you will begin to learn how tomake thetransformedsounds:

Brònach(sad) glébhrònachBrèagh(beautiful) glébhrèaghCòir(kind) gléchòirCiallach(sensible) gléchiallachDuilich(difficult,sorry) glédhuilichDeiseil(ready) glédheiseilFuar(cold) gléfhuar(noticehowwelosebothfandhsounds!)Fliuch(wet) gléfhliuch(ditto!)Gasda(excellent,decent) gléghasdaGeal(white) gléghealMór(big) glémhórMìn(smooth) glémhìnPròiseil(proud) gléphròiseilPrìseil(precious) gléphrìseilSona(content) gléshona(noticehowweloseanys-sound!)Sìtheil(peaceful) gléshìtheil(ditto!)Toilichte(pleased,glad) gléthoilichte(noticehowwelosethet-sound!)Teth(hot) glétheth(ditto!)

Theadverbro:“too”behaveslikeglé.Forexample,rochòir,rofhuar,etc.

Isthisfun,orwhat?Afterthis,Englishmayseem–well,somewhatfunctional,butnotverycolourful…

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NAMESWhereelsecanhstrategicallyoccur?Well,here’soneplace…

a) Firstofall,takethefollowingGaelicnamesforladies:

Barabal,Catriona,Diorbhail,Flòraidh,Màiri,Poilín,Sìne,Treasag

Likelong-agoLatin,Gaelichasanaddressform.Whenyouwanttosaytoafriend,“Howareyou?”andaddressherbyname,youmightsay:

Ciamarathathu,aBharabal?(aChatriona/aDhiorbhail/aFhlòraidh/aMhàiri/aPhoilín/aShìne/aThreasag)?

b) NowtakethefollowingGaelicnamesformen–noticewhathappensafterthelastbroadvowel intheaddressformofthename–andnotethechangeofpronunciationinthefinalsyllableofeachname:

Aonghas,Brian,Calum,Dòmhnall,Fionnlagh,Murchadh,Pàdraig,Seumas,Tormod

SO…Ciamarathathu,’Aonghais?(withelisionofthevowels);Ciamarathathu,aBhriain?(aChaluim/aDhòmhnaill/’Fhionnlaigh–sincefhissilent,elisionoccurs)/aMhurchaidh/aPhàdraig/aSheumais/aThormoid)

WithAilean,Cailean,-ea➾-ei:Ciamarathathu,’Ailein?…aChailein?

WithCoinneach,-ea➾ibeforefinal-ch;sowehave:aChoinnich?


GREETINGNowlet’sseewhathappenswhentwofriendsmeet.Noticetheuseofthelittlewordann,muchusedinGaelic.Literally,itmeans“init”.Let’scheckthenewvocabularybelowfirst:

Dòmhnall:Madainnmhath,aSheumais!

Seumas: Madainnmhath,aDhòmhnaill!Ciamarathathuandiugh?

Dòmhnall:Glémhath.Ciamarathathu-fhéin?

Seumas: Thamimeadhonach.Thalàfuarann.

Dòmhnall:Tha,gudearbh!Thaangeamhradhannfhathast!

FACLAN(WORDS)andiugh:today angeamhradh:thewinter fhathast:yet,still thu-fhéin:yourself

là:day meadhonach:middling gudearbh:indeed

A-nis,feuchaibhfhéin–now,you,yourselvestry!

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FURTHERONSOUNDANDSTRUCTURE…

a) Therearethree(3)wordsinGaelicwhereinitialfhispronouncedhinsteadofbeingsilent(seeSeallagan8b,above).Twoofthemarefhathastandfhéin.You’llgetthethirdoneatthepropertime!

b) Noticethesephrases(inSeallagan10)above:Thalàfuarann(literally,“acolddayisinit”);theEnglishequivalentis“It’sacoldday”

Thaangeamhradhannfhathast(thewinterisinityet);theEnglishequivalentis“It’sstillwinter”.NoticehowEnglishneedstousethe“dummy”word“it”becauseitmustbeginadeclarativesentencewithasubject.Herearesomemoreexamples:

Thalàbrèaghannandiugh

ThaSeumasannfhathast(annfrequentlymakesbettersensetranslatedas“here”)

Thamadainnbhrèaghann

Thafeasgargléfhliuchann

NowputGaelic“on”thesesentences:

Good morning, Brian! Good afternoon, Mary! Wake up, Jim! How are you today,Donald?Iammiddlingtoday,Barbara.Howisyourself?

WakeJimup.Jimwokeup.

It’sverycoldtoday.It’sacoldday.Winterisstillhere(“winter”isdefinite;why?)I’mverysorry,Calum.Sìneisverybeautiful.You’reverykind,Sìne.

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HOWAREYOU?

Noticetheuseofthu-fhéinintheconversationinSeallagan10,above,whenDonaldcomesback with his own question whose English equivalent is “How are you?” Gaelic hasgrammaticalwaysof indicatingemphasis, inthiscasetheadditionoffhéintothepersonalpronoun;andonceagain, it isa simplerparadigmthan thecomparableEnglishonewhich(mostly)usesthepossessiveadjectivebeforeself:

mi-fhéin(mi-fhìn*):myself

thu-fhéin:yourself

e-fhéin:himself(shouldn’titlogicallybe“his-self”?),itself(“its-self”?)

i-fhéin:herself(itworksbecause“her”isbothobjectpronounandpossessivepronouninEnglish!),itself

sinn-fhìn:ourselves

sibh-fhéin:yourselves(insomedialects:sibh(p)-fhéin)

iad-fhéin:themselves(“their-selves”?)

It’sfun,Ithink,tocomparethetargetlanguagetowhateverlanguagesthelearnerknows,butmorethanfun;thiskindofcomparisonhelpstoreinforcethelearningprocessandtoimpressthenewstructuresonthebrainofthelearner.


BASIC(SUBSTANTIVE)VERB“TOBE”

Herearetheparadigmsofthebasicverb“tobe”–present,past,future.Practiceputtingthemtogetherwiththeappropriatepersonalpronouns:mi,thu,e,i,sinn,sibh,iad(seeSeallagan3,above).Wewillsavetheconditionaltenseuntillater.

Noticethat“tobe”isanirregularverb.ButawonderfulfactaboutGaelicisthat,apartfromthisbasicverbandthecopula(seebelow),itonlyhasten(10)otherirregularverbs!Wow!ComparethistoFrench;compareittoRussian!Gaelicverbshavenoovertlypluralforms.SoGaelicisefficientinavoidingduplicationsincethefollowingpluralnounmakesthemeaningclear.

*Commonpronunciation.

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Present Past FuturePositiveStatementTha Bha Bithidh,bidh*NegativeStatementchaneil charobh chabhiPositiveQuestionabheil? anrobh? ambi?NegativeQuestionnacheil? nachrobh? nachbi?PositiveDependent…gubheil …gurobh …gumbiNegativeDependent…nacheil …nachrobh …nachbiRelativeForm…atha …abha …abhitheas,bhios†

Howdowesay“Yes”and“No”?Byusingthepositiveandnegativeformsoftheverbintheappropriatetense!Forexample,Abheilthufuar?Tha/Chaneil;Anrobhlàmathann?Bha/Charobh;Ambithua’dolann?Bithidh/Chabhi.

Noticehow,aftertherelativepronouna(meaning“that”,“who”,“which”),thefuturehasitsownspecialform.

Alsonote:intheImperativeforms,thesingular➾Bitoilichte!(Beglad!);theplural/polite➾Bithibhtoilichte!(Beyou(pl.)glad!);TheNegativeimperative➾Nabi/bithibh…Don’tbe…

CLEACHDADH(PRACTICE)

CuirdhanBheurla(putintoEnglish).NotethenewvocabularyintheFaclan(words)section,below:

a) Thami-fhìn’stu-fhéina’dolann.

b) Abheilsibha’dolann?c) Ciamarathaanlà?Thaegléfhliuch!

d) Nacheilangeamhradhseofuar?Tha,gudearbh!

e) Chaneilsinna’dolannidir.f) Thamigléthoilichtegubheilsibhann!

g) Thamiduilichnacheilsìdemhathannandiugh.

h) Nacheilitethandiugh!

*Unstressedform.†Unstressedform.

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FACLAN(WORDS)

a’dol:going là:today (article+noun)seo:this(demonstrativeadjective)

idir:atall(negativeintensive) a-nis:now gudearbh!:indeed!(positiveintensive)

sìde,f.:weather(finaleispronounced) agus:and(shortformsare’sandis)

A-nis…makenewsentencesbychangingtheverbsintothepasttense.

NOTES:

a) Noticehowthulosesitslenitionwhenprecededbys.b) A’dolrequirescompletionbyannifnodefinitedestinationisindicated.

c) Inmydialect(IsleofLewis),weuseefor“it”inreferencetotheweather;inNovaScotiausage,iisused(seeSeallagan4above).Soyouarerightineithercase!ALLdialectshaveequalvalidity.


QUESTIONS

It’stimeweintroducedthe“question-words”,theinterrogatives:

Ciamar: How?(literally“whatlike?”) Có: Who?

Coás: Wherefrom?(fromciaás:“outofwhat?”) Dé: What?(fromciode)

Carson: Why?(ciaairson:“whatfor?”) Cuine:When?(ciaùine:whattime?)

Càite: Where?(ciaàite:“whatplace?”)

ALLthesearefollowedbytherelativepronouna(“that”);iftheinterrogativeendsinavowel,thenbyelisiontherelativeisabsorbed,exceptwithcuineandcàitewhereitisbesttowriteitcuin’a…andcàit’a…:

Ciamarathasibhandiugh? (Howareyoutoday?)

Có(a)th’ann? (Whoisit?–literally,“whoisinit?”)

Coásathaiad? (Wherearetheyfrom?)

Dé(a)thathua’dèanamh

?

(Whatareyoudoing?)

Carsonathasibhanseo? (Whyareyouhere?)

Cuin’athaea’falbh? (Whenishegoingaway?)

Càit’abheilea’dol? (Whereishegoing?)

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Càit’alwaystakesthequestionform(abheil,anrobh,ambi–seethetableinSeallagan13)ofwhateververbfollows!


CuirdhanBheurla(putintoEnglish).NotethenewvocabularybelowintheFaclansectionattheendofthebook,p.93.

a) Ciamarabhiosant-sìde?(ant-sìde:theweather).Moreonthearticlelater!

b) Có(a)bhiosann?c) Coásabhitheasiad?d) Dé(a)bhiossinna’dèanamh?

e) Carsonabhiostuduilich?f) Cuin’abhiosea’falbh?g) Càit’ambisibha’dol?

CuirdhanGhàidhlig(putintoGaelic):

a) Howwasthewinter?b) Itwasacoldday.c) Wereyousorry?

d) Whereweretheyfrom?

e) Whyareyou(pl.)goingaway?

f) Iwon’tbegoingawayatall!g) Whatwereyoudoing?

h) WhereisJimgoing?



Còmhradh(Conversation):

Strainnsearana’coinneachadh(Strangersmeeting):

A.Madainnmhath!

B.Madainnmhath!Ciamarathasibh?

A.Glémhath,tapadhleibh.Ciamarathasibh(p)-fhéin?

B.Chaneildona,tapadhleibh.’SmiseRaonaidNicChoinnich–Cósibhse?

A. ’SmiseEilidhNic’IlleBhràth.Coásathasibh,aRaonaid?

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Raonaid:ThamiáDùnÉideann.Coásathasibh-p-fhéin,’Eilidh?

Eilidh:ThamiáCeapBreatainn.Déthasibha’dèanamhanseo?

Raonaid:ThamiagionnsachadhnaGàidhlig.

Eilidh:Tha’smi-fhìn.Abheilsibha’doldhanchlasandràsda?

Raonaid:Tha,gudearbh!

Eilidh:Débhiossinna’dèanamhannsa’chlasandiugh?

Raonaid:Bidhsinnagobairaircòmhradh.

Eilidh:Glémhath!

FACLAN

strainnsear,-an:stranger(s) a’coinneachadh:meeting air:on cleachdadh:practice

Eilidh:Ellen,Helen Mac:son Nic:daughter Raonaid:Rachel agobair:working

Mac/Nic’Illebhràth:MacGillivray Mac/NicChoinnich:MacKenzie dona:bad

agionnsachadh:learning andràsda:now(rightnow) dhanchlas:to(the)class

tapadhleat/leibh:thankyou(singular/pl.,polite) annsa’chlas:intheclass

còmhradh:conversation DùnÉideann:Dunedin(NZ),Edinburgh(Scotland)

CeapBreatainn:CapeBreton


EMPHATICENDINGS

A-nis(now)…I’msureyou’venoticedsomethingsinthepreviousconversation!Mise,sibhse,forexample.Yes–anotherintensifier,buttheyareactuallyemphaticendingsforthepersonalpronouns–heretheyareinfull:

mise I,me sinne we,us

thusa you(singular;actually,“thou”) sibhse you(pluralorpolite)

esan

ise

he,it

she,it

iadsan they,them

It’sconventionaltousemise,sibhseinintroductionsbetweenstrangers.Onmeetingachild,ormeetingsbetweenyoungerpeers,theinformalthusaismorelikelyusedthansibhse.Now,

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asanexercise,personalizetheaboveintroductions–yourselfandsomeoneyou’vejustmet.Andtrysomeotherresponses…

THECOPULA

Hereweintroduceourselveswithaformoftheverb“tobe”knownastheCopula–alsoknowninGaelicas“theassertiveverb ‘tobe’”,whereonething isassertedtobeequivalentwithanother;forexample,IsmiseIain(normallyshortenedto’SmiseIain–meaning“IamIain”).Moreonthecopulalater…

Moreresponsesto“Ciamarathathu/sibh?”Sofarwe’vehad:

glémhath(verygood/well)and

chaneildona(notbad)

Nowadd:

Thamigudòigheil!(I’mgreat!–dòigheilmeans“orderly”,“well-arranged”)

Thamimeadhonach(I’mmiddling)

Thamigumath(I’mwell,I’mfine–addgutoanadjectivetomakeitanadverb)

Thamicuimseachmath(I’mmoderatelywell–equivalentto“okay”)

Chaneilmia’gearan(I’mnotcomplaining)

VERBALNOUNS

We’vebeenaddingverbalnouns(alsoknownasgerunds)sowecanmakeutteranceswithprogressivetenses;forexample“Iam/was/willbegoing”,andsoon.Sofar,we’veseenthefollowingverbalnouns:a’dol(going);a’falbh(goingaway);a’coinneachadh(meeting);a’dèanamh(doing);a’gearan(complaining);agionnsachadh(learning);agobair(working)

Theprefixa’–andagbeforevowels,comesfromtheprepositionaig(at,atgoing,atmeeting,etc.), in the process of going,meeting, etc. So it is an ongoing, not a completed, action.ComparewithAppalachianEnglish“I’ma-goin’”or“I’ma-comin’”….

NoticehowGaelichandles“Yes”and“No”inthefollowingconversation.

CLEACHDADHAlasdair Abheilthua’doldhanchlasandràsda?

Cailean Chaneil.Abheilthu-fhéina’dolann?

Alasdair Tha,gudearbh.Bidhsinna’seinnandiugh.

Cailean Ambisinna’seinnaiga’chéilidh?

Alasdair Bithidh.Thasinnagionnsachadhòranluadhaidhannsa’chlas.Cailean ’Smathsin!Bidhmia’tighinn,matha.

Alasdair AmbiDòmhnalla’tighinn?

Cailean Chabhi.Thaesanannsa’bhaileandràsda.

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FACLAN

a’seinn:singing a’tighinn:coming òran:song ’smathsin!:that’sgood!

annsa’bhaile:inthetown(intown) òranluadhaidh:waulking/millingsong

matha:then;literally,“if(it)is(so)”

Note:wefindanotherexampleofthecopula,theassertiveverb“tobe”,inthephrase’Smathsin!,literally“Goodisthat”wheretheadjectiveisbroughtforwardforemphasis;inEnglish,“that’sgood!”ComparetothestructureofThasinmath(thatisgood)whichhasnospecialemphasis.Asyoucanhearfromthesoundof’Smathsin,itgavetheword“smashing!”totheEnglishlanguage.


MOREONLENITION

Wehaven’tmentionedlenitionforawhile!Tosumup,rememberingalwaysthatlenitionisindicatedbytheletterhandwrittenimmediatelyafterthefirstconsonant(exceptl,n,r),wehavelearnedsofarthatlenitionoccursinthefollowingsituations:

a) Intheadjectivefollowingafemininenoun:madainnmhath,sìdebhlàth

b) Aftertheadverbsgléandro:glébhrèagh,rofhuarc) Intheaddressformofnouns,commonlyinpropernames:aMhàiri,aSheumais

Wehavenowencounteredprepositionalphraseslikedhanchlas,annsa’chlas,annsa’bhaile,aiga’chéilidhandclearlylenitionisinplaythere.It’stimetoconsidersimpleprepositions–which,ofcourse,areneverthatsimple!Itwillbeimportanttolearnasyougowhichonesareappropriateandwhere.

Seoiad…(Heretheyare...):

aig at air on á outof de of/off mu about

le by,with ri to gu to do to,for troimh through

annan in fo under bho/o from roimh before

In indefinite prepositional phrases, the following prepositions will lenite the lenitableconsonants:fo,de,do,bho/o,mu,troimh,roimh;forexample,dochlas,bhobhaile,roimhchéilidh(toaclass,fromatown,beforeaceilidh),etc.

Most often, however, the prepositional phraseswill use the definite articlewhich usuallyappearsasa’,exceptwheretheprepositionends inavowelorasilently lenitedf+vowel

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follows. Italsooccurswhenthearticleappearsas ’n, followedbythenounwiththe initialconsonantlenited.Forexample:

aiga’chéilidh(attheceilidh) bho’nbhaile(fromthetown) do ’n chlas (to theclass) troimh’nfheasgar(throughtheafternoon)

Note:InmoderncolloquialGaelic,do’n➾dhan;forexample,dhanbhaile(tothetown),dhanchlas(totheclass).

AlsoNote:Gaelic likes vowel soundsbetween consonants (but not asmuch as does Japanesewherescrewdriver➾sekaruderaiba–myspelling!);soit’snotsurprisingifonehearsanextravowelindhana’bhaile,dhana’chlas–andevenspellsitthatway!You’veseenthishappenalreadyingudearbhwiththe“intrusivevowel”betweenrandbh.


CLEACHDADH:EADAR-THEANGACHADH(TRANSLATION)

A’leughadhagusa’curdhanBheurla(readingandputtingintoEnglish):

Nuairabhamia’coiseachddhana’bhaileandiughbhamichosona.Bhaa’ghriana’deàrrsadhannsanspeuragusbhamia’coimheadah-uileduinea’dolseachad.Bhasnodha-gàireairfeadhainnagusgruaimairfeadhainneile.Bhafeadhainnannancabhaigagusfeadhainneilea’coiseachdgumall.Bhafeadhainna’cantainn“Madainnmhath!Ciamarathathu?”agusfeadhainnnachrobha’cantainnsion.Annsa’phàirc,bhaclanna’cluichaguscoina’ruith.Bhamia’smaoineachadhgurobhiadsansonacuideachd.

FACLANnuaira:when a’coiseachd:walking chosona:sohappy/content a’ghrian:thesun

a’deàrrsadh:shining annsanspeur:inthesky a’coimhead:watching/lookingat

duine:man/person/husband seachad:past/over a’cantainn(alsoa’cantail):saying

cù(coin):(a)dog(s) snodha-gàire:smile ah-uileduine:everyone gruaim:gloom/frown

eile:other/another feadhainn:some/several mall:slow gumall:slowly

sion:anything annancabhaig:inahurry a’cluich:playing clann:children

annsa’phàirc:inthepark/field cuideachd:too/also/aswell a’smaoineachadh:thinking

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CEISDEANa) Càit’anrobhea’coiseachd?b) Cuin’abhaesona?c) Anrobhlàgrianachann?(grianach➾“sunny”)

d) Débhaea’coimhead?

e) Anrobhah-uileduinesona?f) Anrobhah-uileduinea’coiseachdgumall?

g) Anrobhah-uileduinea’cantainn,“Madainnmhath!”?

h) Càit’anrobhclanna’cluich?i) Débhacoina’dèanamh?(a’dèanamh➾“doing”)

j) Débhaea’smaoineachadh?


MOREONTHE“SMALL”,SIMPLEPREPOSITIONS

Itwasnotedabovethatdo,ri,gucanallbetranslatedas“to”;however,theycannotbeused(entirely) interchangeably.Onehas topickup the idiomaticusagesasonegoesalong; forexample:

a) ALLthefollowingcommunicativeverbsa’bruidhinn(speaking/talking),a’cantainn/a’cantail/agràdh(ainn)(saying);agéibheachd/agéigheachd(shouting);agéisdeachd(listening);a’trod(scolding))takethewordri:

Bhamia’bruidhinnriSeumas(IwasspeakingtoJim)

ALLEXCEPTaginnse:telling,whichtakesdo

BhamiaginnsesindoSheumas(IwastellingthattoJim/IwastellingJimthat–where“Jim”istheindirectobjectand“that”isthedirectobject)

TheGaelicstructureMUSTbeasinthisexample!

Also,inSeallagan17,above,youwillhavenotedthatdoleniteswithanindefinitenoun.

b) Youwillhavenoticedthatdoisgenerallythe“motiontoward”preposition:

Thamia’doldochlas/dhanchlas(I’mgoingtoaclass/totheclass)

InmodernGaelicpronunciation,do+ indefinitenoun➾a (pronounced“uh”); so,wehave:

Thamia’dolaHaileafacs/aShuidnidh/aDhùnÉideann/adh’Alba(inn)/adh’Éirinn(I’mgoingtoHalifax/toSydney/toDunedin(orEdinburgh)/toScotland/toIreland)

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Notetheoutsidelenitionofvowelusingdh’.InScottishGaelicusage,thefemininedativehasgenerallybeenlost;hence,youhaveadh’Alba(toScotland).NovaScotiaretainsthefemininedative(seeSeallagan36,below).

Note:ALLcountriesandlanguagesaretreatedasfeminine.

c) However,gucanbeusedinthesenseof“motiontoward”,mostusuallywithsingleplacenames;forexample,Thamia’dolguSuidnidh(IamgoingtoSydney–noteNOlenitionaftergu).

Most usually, gu is used before a complex placename phrase, where the secondplacenameisinthegenitive(possessive)case.Forexample:

Thamia’dolguTallaMhicLeòid(I’mgoingtoMacLeodHall–HallofMacLeod)

Gu is the preposition used in “sending (something, like a letter) to someone”. Forexample,a’curgu…

YouarealsomorelikelytosayguSealanNuadh(toNewZealand).

Note:theidiom:Thamia’falbhguruigeHaileafacs(I’mgoingasfarasHalifax).

Sofar,sogood–butthere’soh,somuchmoreinvolvedinthe“small”,“simple”prepositions!Staytuned…


CONTINUINGWITHTHESIMPLEPREPOSITIONS

A’leantainnairnaroimhearanbeaga(continuingwiththe“littleprepositions”).Note:Gaelicsays“continuingon”;Englishsays“continuingwith”:

aig,ann:at,in.

a) Withanindefinitenoun:

Thamiaigtaigh/Thamiannantaigh

Iamatahouse/Iaminahouse

b) Withdefinitenoun:

Thamiaigantaigh(Iamathome–literally,“atthehouse”)

Thoiribhanaire.Takenote:t,ddoNOTleniteinadefiniteprepositionalphrase

Thamiannsantaigh(Iaminthehouse–NOT“inthehome”!)

Notetheadditionoffinalstoanninadefinitephrase!Thisisimportant.Soannanlookslike“inthe”whenitdoesn’tmeanthatunlessansisaddedtoann.SoThamiannsantaigh(Iaminthehouse),butThamiannantaigh(Iaminahouse).

Thisisalsotrueofá➾ás;ri➾ris;le➾leis;seebelow.

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air:wesawaboveausageofairinthephrasea’leantainnair.Also,notethefollowing:

A’bruidhinnair:speakingortalkingaboutsomeoneorsomething.Englishusagehasbeguntocreep intoGaelicwith theuseofmudhéidhinn /dheóghainn (concerning,about).Apartfromanythingelse,mudhéidhinnwouldbefollowedbythepossessive(genitive)case(seebelow)whiletheGaelicconstructionwithairismuchsimpler!Forexample,Bhaiada’bruidhinnairSeumas(TheywerespeakingaboutJim)

Cóairabhasibha’bruidhinn?(Whowereyouspeakingabout?)

Coairabhasibha’bruidhinn?(Whatwereyouspeakingabout?–wherecocomesfromolderformcia,withnoaccentontheo)

Bhaea’bruidhinnaireachdraidhnanGàidheal(HewasspeakingaboutthehistoryoftheGaels)

Note:a’feitheamhair(waitingfor);agiarraidhair(requestingof)

fo,bho:under,from(dialectically,youmayhearfousedforbho):

a) Withanindefinitenoun:

Thaefobhòrd(He/itisunderatable)

Chualamibhocharaid(Iheardfromafriend)

Thamifochùram(I’munder–weigheddownby–care/anxiety)

b) Withdefinitenoun:

Thaefo’nbhòrd(He/itisunderthetable)

Chualamibho’ncharaidabh’agamannsanoilthigh…(Iheardfromthefriend(that)Ihad(literally“thatwasatme”:seeSeallagan21,below)in(the)university)

de:of,off.Thisoneisalittletrickybecauselearnersmaynotbesurewhethertheyshoulduse thepossessive (genitive) caseoraphrasewith thewordde. Somecommon (definite)phraseswithdeare:

Thamidhenbharail…(Iamoftheopinion…)

…beagandhenairgead…(…alittleofthemoney…)

…mórandhennaidheachd…(…muchofthenews…)

Onemightalsousephraseslike:

Thaglébheagdedh’airgeadagam(Ihaveverylittle(of)money)

Notelenitionofthevowelaswithdo.

Also note howde + singulararticle = dhen; compare this to do + singular article = dhan(above).

Forle,seeSeallagan21,below

Lookoutformoreexamplesfromyourreading!Ishouldmentionthatyoushouldbereadingchildren’sbooks.Theyareperfectlydesignedtoteachnewlearners.Theprideyou’llhaveinyourselfforlearningGaelicwillbewellworthit!

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Á,ás:“outof”,althoughweusuallytranslateintoEnglishas“from”.

ThamiáSuidnidh(I’mfromSydney)

ThamiásnaStàiteanAonaichte(I’mfromtheUnitedStates–theU.S.)

Notetheadditionofsbeforeadefinitenounphrase–alsoinCoásathasibh?(Whereareyoufrom?).Thisisliterally,“Whatoutof(isit)thatyouare?”


IDIOMATICEXPRESSIONS

Oneof theneatestelementsofGaelic structure is thatall thesimpleprepositionscanbedeclinedforperson!Thisleadstoallkindsofidiomaticexpressions.Sofromaig,air,ann,ri,andlewehave:

agam atme orm onme annam inme rium tome leam by/withme

agad atyou ort onyou annad inyou riut toyou leat by/withyou

aige athim/it air onhim/it ann inhim/it ris tohim/it leis by/withhim/it

aice ather/it oirre onher/it innte inher/it rithe toher/it leatha by/withher/it

againn atus oirnn onus annainn inus ruinn tous leinn by/withus

agaibh atyou(pl.) oirbh onyou(pl.) annaibh inyou(pl.) ruibh toyou(pl.) leibh by/withyou(pl.)

aca atthem orra onthem annta inthem riutha tothem leotha by/withthem

Note:alloftheseformsmaytakeemphaticendings;forexample,agamsa,agadsa,aigesan,aicese,againne,agaibhse,acasan;andthe“self”ending;forexample,agam-fhìn,agad-fhéin,aige-fhéin,aice-fhéin,againn-fhìn,agaibh-(p)-fhéin,andaca-fhéin.

a) Knowledge,having,andremembering:

Tha fiosagam (literally, “Knowledge isatme”). InEnglish,we say, “I know”when itconcernsknowledgeofthingsorevents

Thafiosagamairsin(literally,“Knowledgeisatmeonthat”➾Iknowthat)

Chaneilfiosagam(Idon’tknow).Inspeech,thisisshortenedtoChaneilfhios’am

Abheilfiosagad?(Doyouknow?)….andsoon

Cóaigathafios?(literally,“Atwhomisknowledge?”➾Whoknows?)

Gaelichasnoverb“tohave”.Wehandle“having”withthe“verb‘tobe’”andagam,etc.

Abheila’Ghàidhligagad?(literally,“IstheGaelicatyou?”➾“DoyouhavetheGaelic?”➾DoyouspeakGaelic?)

Similarly,Thacuimhn’agam(air)(literally,“Memoryisatme(on)”➾Iremember…)

Thadùilagam(ri)(literally,“Expectationisatme(to)”➾Iexpect…)

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Thaagamri(literally,“Isatmeto”➾“Ihaveto”–asin,Thaagamriruith!➾“Ihavetorun!”)

b) Keepingon,puttingon:Thamia’cumailorm(literally,“I’mkeepingonme”➾I’mkeepingon(going))

Thamia’curorm(literally,“I’mputtingonme(clothing)”➾I’mgettingdressed)

Dé(a)thaa’curort?(literally,“What’sputtingonyou?”➾What’sbotheringyou?)

You will remember how you learned to introduce yourself; for example, ’S miseDòmhnall.WiththeCopula,youhaveamoreemphaticwayofsayingwhoyouare:

’S+e➾’Se,tobeunderstoodas“it’s”,andwecanmakethefollowingsentence:

’SeDòmhnallant-ainmath’orm(literally,“It’sDonaldthenamethatisonme”➾MynameisDonald)

Answerthequestion:Dé’nt-ainmath’ort/oirbh?(What’syourname?)

c) Whoweare:

Similarly,withannam,etc.,wecanmakeanemphaticstatementastowhoweare;forexample,ourethnicity,orastowhatworkwedo:

’SeGàidhealath’annam(literally,“It’saGaelthat’sinme”➾I’maGael)

’Seoileanachath’annam(I’mastudent)

Note :dialectically, youwill commonlyhearunnam/unnad/ann/ innte/unnainn/unnaibh/unnta.SeethesectionontheCopulabelow.

d) Phraseswithri:

Cho+adjective+ri=English“as……as……”Forexample,chosonariMàiri(ascontentasMary)

Asabove,ThaMàirichosona!(Maryissocontent!)

Trobhadcòmhlarium!(Comealongwithme!)

e) Thankingsomeone:

Tapadhleat/leibh(literally,“Success(go)withyou”➾Thankyou!)

Theresponseis:

’Sedobheatha/urbeatha,whichisactuallyIsEdobheatha/urbeatha(He–God–isyourlife!Thatis,don’tthankme–thankHim!➾You’rewelcome!).WordsreferringtoGodaretraditionallycapitalised.

f) Sayinggoodbye:Beannachdleat/leibh(literally,“Blessing(go)withyou”).Theresponseis:

Marsinleat/leibh(literally,“Likethattoyou”➾Thesametoyou!)

AgainwiththeCopula:

’Sleams’e!(It’smine!Whereleams’istheabbreviatedformofleamsa,andleamsaistheemphaticformofleam).

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PREPOSITIONS

Fromdo,bho,fo,áwehave:

dhomh to/forme bhuam fromme fodham underme ásam outofme

dhut to/foryou bhuat fromyou fodhadunderyou ásad outofyou

dha to/forhim/it bhuaithe fromhim/it fodha underhim/it ás outofhim/it

dhi to/forher/it bhuaipe fromher/it foidhpe underher/it aisde outofher/it

dhuinn to/forus bhuainn fromus fodhainn underus ásainn outofus

dhuibh to/foryou(pl.) bhuaibh fromyou(pl.) fodhaibh underyou(pl.) ásaibh outofyou(pl.)

dhaibh to/forthem bhuapa fromthem fodhpa underthem ásda outofthem

a) Do:Thamis’ag innsedhut! (I’mtelling (to)you!).Notethat it’smoreappropriate inGaelictogreetsomeonewithMadainnmhathdhut/dhuibhandFeasgarmathdhut/dhuibh,ratherthanwiththebareGoodmorning/afternoon,asinEnglish.

b) Bho:Déathabhuat?(literally,“Whatisfromyou?”➾Whatdoyouneed?)

c) Fo:Thaambàtaairdolfodha(literally,“Theboatisaftergoingunder(it)”➾Theboathassunk)

d) Á:Nabi’tarraingásam(literally,“Don’tbepullingoutofme”➾Don’tteaseme!)

Notethevariantuam,uat,uaithe,uaipe,uainn,uaibh,anduapa.


MOREPREPOSITIONS

Forprepositionsde,gu,mu,roimh,troimhwehave:

dhìom offme thugam tome umam aboutme romham beforeme tromham throughme

dhìot offyou thugad toyou umad aboutyou romhad beforeyou tromhad throughyou

dheth offhim/it thuige tohim/it uime abouthim/it roimhe beforehim/it troimhe throughhim/it

dhith offher/it thuice toher/it uimpe abouther/it roimhpe beforeher/it troimhpe throughher/it

dhinn offus thugainn tous umainn aboutus romhainn beforeus tromhainn throughus

dhibh offyou(pl.) thugaibh toyou(pl.) umaibh aboutyou(pl.) romhaibh beforeyou(pl.) tromhaibh throughyou

dhiubh offthem thuca tothem umpa aboutthem romhpa beforethem tromhpa throughthem

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a) Dhìom:Bhamia’curmochòtadhìom(literally,“Iwasputtingmycoatoffme”➾Iwastakingoffmycoat).Youcanbringdhìomforwardinthesentenceforgreateremphasis:

Bhamia’curdhìommochòta.

b) Thugam!(Tome!).Thecommanderwouldshouttohistroopssothattheywouldrallyaroundhim.Ontheotherhand,Thugad!issomewhatequivalentto“Haveatyou!”

Chuirethugamlitir(Hesentmealetter).

c) Uime:Indonningakilt,itgoes“about”or“around”you:

Chuireuimeféileadh(“Heputabouthimakilt”➾Heputonakilt)

d) Romham:Beforeme:

Chuirmiromham(“Iputbeforeme”➾Idecided,Imadeupmymindto…).

Bidhfàilteromhad(“Awelcomewillbebeforeyou”➾Youwillbe(made)welcome).

e) Troimhe:throughhim/it:

Chuireanclaidheamhtroimhe(Heputtheswordthroughhim/it).

f) Eadar : We also have the preposition eadar : “between”, which governs the basicnominative(subject)andaccusative(object)formofthenoun;forexample:

Eadarmi-fhìn’stu-fhéin(literally,“Betweenmyselfandyourself”➾Betweenyouandme).

Itdeclinesintheplural:eadarainn,eadaraibh,eatorra.

Notethevariants:ugam,ugad,uige,uice,ugainn,ugaibh,uca;andchugam,chugad,chuige,chuice,chugainn,chugaibh,chuca.

CLEACHDADH–CÒMHRADH

Tormod: Bhamia’bruidhinnriut,aSheumais!Nachrobhthuagéisdeachdrium?

Seumas: Ochbha!Achchaneilmóranùineagam–feumaidhmiruith!

Tormod: Carson? Nach eil Mairead a’ dol còmhla riut – agus chan eil ise an seofhathast.

Seumas: BidhMaireada’dolannleathafhéinagusthamiseanmoch.

Tormod: Cumort,matha!’Seduinedìcheallachath’annad,aSheumais–achnabifochùram.Thamicinnteachgumbiah-uileduineaiga’choinneimhairdothaobh.

Seumas: Nabia’tarraingásam,aThormoid!Thafiosagadglémhathgubheilobairchruaidhromhamannsantaghadh…

Tormod: Déthabhuat?Bheirmidhutah-uilecuideachadh.Trobhadcòmhlariumsa–thaancàragamdìreachanseo.

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FACLAN

coinneamh(f.):meeting taghadh:election ùine(f.):time anmoch:late

obair(f.):work dìcheallach:diligent cinnteach:sure taobh:side cruaidh:hard

feumaidhmi:Imust móran:much,alot uile:every/all cuideachadh:help

dìreach:just/direct(ly)


EMPHATICPERFECTPAST

Gaelichastheneatest,simplestwayofhandlingtheso-called"perfecttenses”byputtingtousetheverb“tobe”+air+verbalnoun.InEnglishthesetenseswouldbe:

PresentinPast:theactivityiscompletebutisspokenofinthepresent.Forexample,“Ihavespoken”.

PastinPast:theactivityiscompleteatamoredistantpointinthepast.Forexample,“Ihadspoken”.

FutureinPast:theactivitywillbecompleteatadeterminedpoint inthefuture.Forexample,“Iwillhavespoken”.

airfromiar:theolderprepositioniar,meaning“after”,gottransformedtoair(whetherbysimplemetathesisorbyconfusionwithair:on).SO–inGaelic:

PresentinPast: Thamiairbruidhinn(“Iamafterspeaking”➾Ihavespoken)

PastinPast: Bhamiairbruidhinn(“Iwasafterspeaking”➾Ihadspoken)

FutureinPast: Bidhmiairbruidhinn(“Iwillbeafterspeaking”➾Iwillhavespoken)

InGaeldom,whereEnglishisspoken,youwillheartheeffectofGaelicstructureonEnglishasin “I’mafter forgetting” (Thamiairdiochuimhneachadh), or “He’saftergoing” (Thaeairfalbh),etc.

CLEACHDADH

a) Chaneileairfalbhfhathast.b) Abheiliairdùsgadh?c) Bhaiadaircoinneachadh.d) Chabhiiadairdolann.e) Bidhiadaircoiseachddhachaidh.f) Anrobhthuairbruidhinnris?g) Nachrobhsibhairtòiseachadh?

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h) ’Smathnachrobhiadairtòiseachadh!

i) Carsonnacheilthuairionnsachadh?j) Déthathuairinnsedha?


VERBALNOUNROOTSANDPASTTENSEOFREGULARVERBS

AttheverybeginningoftheseglimpsesintothestructureofGàidhlig,wefindthebasicpasttenseformoftheregularverbwake.Althoughwemayconductquitealotofourconversationusingtheverb“tobe”andverbalnouns,clearlywemustoftenuseotherverbsintheirvarioustensesaswell.SO–weneedtoknowtherootsoftheseverbsinordertoproceed.Therootistheimperativeformoftheverb.Lenitionoftherootisthesignofthepasttenseinverbs.Forexample:

VerbalNoun Root PastTensea’bruidhinn speaking bruidhinn! speak bhruidhinnmi Ispoke

a’cadal sleeping caidil! sleep! chaidilmi Islepta’coiseachd walking coisich! walk! choisichmi Iwalked

a’cumail keeping cum! keep! chummi Ikepta’cur putting/sending cuir! put/send! chuirmi Iput/sent

a’deasachadh preparing deasaich! prepare! dheasaichmi Iprepareda’dùsgadh waking dùisg! wake! dhùisgmi Iwokeagéirigh rising,gettingup éirich! getup! dh’éirichmi Igotup

agéisdeachd listening éisd! listen! dh’éisdmi Ilisteneda’fàgail Leaving fàg! leave! dh’fhàgmi Ilefta’falbh goingaway falbh! goaway! dh’fhalbhmi Iwentaway

a’gabhail taking gabh! take! ghabhmi Itooka’glanadh cleaning glan! clean! ghlanmi Icleaned

agionnsachadh learning ionnsaich! learn! dh’ionnsaichmi Ilearnedagithe eating ith! eat! dh’ithmi Iate

a’leantainn following lean! follow! leanmi Ifolloweda’nighe washing nigh! wash! nighmi Iwashed

agòl drinking òl! drink! dh’òlmi Idranka’ruith running ruith! run ruithmi Iran

a’smaoineachadh thinking smaoinich! think! smaoinichmi Ithoughta’tiormachadh drying tiormaich! dry! thiormaichmi Idrieda’tòiseachadh beginning tòisich! begin! thòisichmi Ibegan

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Theseareexamplesofregularverbs.Fornegativesandquestionsinthepasttense,wealsoaddthelittleparticledo:

Chadobhruidhinnmi/Andobhruidhinn thu?/Nachdobhruidhinn thu? (Ididn’tspeak/Didyouspeak?/Didn’tyouspeak?)

Andinthedependentformstoo:

Thaeduilichgundobhruidhinne/Thaeduilichnachdobhruidhinne (He issorry(that)hespoke/Heissorry(that)hedidn’tspeak)

Sincewehavepluralformsof“you”inGaelic,wealsohavepluralimperativeformsendingin-(a)ibh:

Dùisgibh!Leanaibh!

Notehow-dand-adhendingsofverbalnounsaredroppedinverbrootsandeaprecedingtheseendingsistransformedtoi;iftheprecedingvowelisa,theniisaddedtoachievethesame“slender”vowelsound.Also,vowel-initialrootsare“artificially”lenitedbytheadditionofdh;moreover,aninitialsm–togetherwithl,n,r–doesnotlenite.

CLEACHDADH

Dh’éirichmitràth’sa’mhadainnandiugh.Ghabhmifrasaguschuirmiormaodach–léine-tagusdinichean.Anuairsin,dheasaichmimobhracaist–ughagustost–agusdh’òlmicupatìlebainneachgunsiùcar.Aiganaonàm,dh’éisdmirinaidheachdanlathaaira’réidio:gudearbh,charobhgnothaicheana’dolromhathannsant-saoghal.Ásdéidhsin,nighminasoithicheanagusthiormaichmiiad.Chadodh’fhàgmiantaighguochd uairean; bha an t-sìde cuimseach fuar agus chuirmi ormmo chòta blàth,mobhonaidagusmomhiotagan.Bhalàtrangromhamaguschoisichmiguluathdhanoifis.

FACLAN

aodach:clothing/clothes fras:ashower léine-t:t-shirt ugh:egg gun:without

gnothaichean:matters/‘things’ aiganaonàm:atthesametime tràth:early

saoghal:world naidheachdanlatha:thenewsoftheday còta:coat bainne:milk

bonaid:bonnet,cap cuimseach:somewhat/rather dinichean:jeans

miotag(f.):glove/mitten luath:quick/fast soitheach:adish soithichean:dishes

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SCOTTISHGAELICSTRUCTURE

Thehumanmindlovespattern;sowhenthestudentcandiscernandgraspthepatterns,thenhalfthebattleiswon;theinstructormustcarefully,inaproperorder,andatthepropertimeforthatstructure,introducethestudenttothepatternsbeingtaught;andthestudenthastospendenoughtimepracticingthestructuresOUTLOUD,withdifferentvocabulary,soastogainfacilityandcomfortinusingthem.

IcouldspendtimeonhowthisveryGaelicquestion–Abheila’Ghàidhligagad?–isillustrativeofsomeaspectofwhatIcallthe“possessionprinciple”inGaelicstructure.However,Iplantodiscusstheprinciplenowonlyinrelationtotheverbalnoun;thatis,agrammaticalitemthatisbothanounandaverb(Itisalsoknownasagerund).TheverbalnounhasagreatdealofworktodoinGaelicsoitsfunctionhastobewellunderstood.Atthisstage,ofcourse,studentshave already learned the basic verb “to be”, the personal pronouns, and the simpleprepositions, and will shortly learn the possessive adjectives/pronouns; of those buildingblocks, theverb“tobe”, thesimpleprepositionsaig (at) [andann (in)]andthepossessiveadjectivesarecrucialarchitecturalelementsofthestructurewe’reabouttoexamine.

First,weneed tounderstand theway inwhich theverbalnounworks.StudentsareoftensurprisedthatScottishGaelicisactuallyquitelogical.

Let’sconsidertworegularverbsintheirverbalnounforms:a’cur–whichhasamyriadofmeanings depending on context, including “putting”, “sending”, “planting”, and agionnsachadh,“learning”.Nowatthispoint,Iwouldexpectlearnerstoask:“Whatisthata’doingthere?Andtheag?Wheredotheycomefromandwhatdotheymean?”

Theyalreadyknowthesimpleprepositionaig“at”inphraseswithdefiniteorindefinitenounslike aig an taigh and aig a’ bhòrd and have begun to cope with the idea of lenition(sèimheachadh),soit’snotagreatleaptoshowthata’/agareformsofaig,meaning“at”,precedingtheseentitiescalledgerundswhicharebothnounandverb,withtheagformusedbeforeverbalnounsbeginningwithvowels.SOwehave:

A’cur : “AT putting” andag ionnsachadh : “AT learning”…or to parse the actions : in theprocessofputting;intheprocessoflearning.Fortheseareon-goingactions:on-goinginthepresent (Thamia’cur…), in thepast (Bhaeag ionnsachadh…), in the future (Bidhsinna’dol…),orwithconditions(Bhiodhiada’cur…).

Andso,we’rebuildingthestructure–logically.Question:Whathappensiftheverbalnounmustitselfbefollowedbyanominal?Forexample,whatifyouwanttosay“sendingaletter”or“learningalanguage”.Answer:translateto:“ATsendingOFaletter”,“ATlearningOFalanguage”. The “verb-ness” of the gerund which required the preposition “AT” before it(indicatingactionabouttobeperformed)becauseofitssimultaneous“noun-ness”,requiresthepreposition“OF”afteritwhenfollowedbyanothernoun.SowehavetobringintoplaytheGenitiveCaseformof thenounthat follows–what inEnglish iscalledthePossessiveCase, in which what is named in one noun is seen in some way to be in a possessiverelationshipwithwhatisnamedintheothernoun.

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Butnow–totakeourexamplefromEnglishsothepropositionmakessense!–supposingthenominal following the gerund is not a noun at all but a personal pronoun; for example,“sendingme”,“learningit”.ThereisnowayofsayinginGaelic“ATsendingOFme”or“ATlearningOFit”.Instead,usingthepossessionprinciple,“OFme”becomes“my”and“OFit”becomes“its”;andsincewe’restillcontendingwithformsoftheprepositionaigbeforethegerund,wemustuseforms–portmanteaumorphs–thatincludethesimpleprepositionaigtogetherwiththerelevantpossessiveadjectives:mo,do,a,a,ar,ur,an/am–and,ofcourse,followthelenitionrulesofthepossessiveadjectivesastheyapply.

SO:

’gam’chur➯“atmysending”➝sendingme

’gad’chur➯“atyour(singular)sending”➝sendingyou,andsoon

Note:inthenewOrthographicConventionsforGaelicinScotland,theapostropheswouldbeomittedtherebycreatingwhat,tosomeminds,are“ghostwords”.


POSSESSIVEPRONOUNS

Asyouseeabove,theverbalnounsareprecededbyaparticle,eithera’beforeaconsonantoragbefore a vowel, both deriving from the simple prepositionaig : “at”. So literally,a’dùsgadh(atwaking(of))cannottakeasimpledirectobject.HereweseehowlogicalGaelicis – but admittedly in this case, not as straightforward as English! So howdowe say, forexample,“wakingme/you/him/her/us/you(pl.)/them”?

Inordertodothis,wemustbringthepossessivepronouns(alsocalledpossessiveadjectives)–“my,your,his,her,our,your(pl.),their”–intoplay.We’llusemàthair(mother)andathair(father)inourexamples;also,todemonstrateanf+vowelnoun,we’llusefacal(word):

momhàthairmymother m’athair myfather m’fhacal myword

domhàthairyourmother d’athair yourfather d’fhacal yourword

amhàthairhismother ’athair hisfather ’fhacal hisword

amàthairhermother ah-athair herfather afacal herword

armàthairourmother arn-athair ourfather arfacal ourword

urmàthair your(pl.)mother urn-athair yourfather urfacal yourword

ammàthairtheirmother anathair theirfather amfacal theirword

Now,putpossessiveswiththenamesofotherfamilymembers:bràthair(brother);piuthar(sister);seanair(grandfather);seanmhair(grandmother).

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Note:thepersonalpronounstendtobeusedwiththosethingsconsidered“inalienable”–inotherwords,whatweare“stuckwith”!Thisincludesfamilymembers,bodyparts,thingsthatmattertous.Weshouldnot,forexample,sayMochàrfor“mycar”;instead,sayancàragam(literally,“thecaratme”).

NOW,takeaig+mo+dùsgadh➾’g+a+m’+dùsgadh,butrememberthatmolenites,so:

’gamdhùsgadh(literally“atmywaking”➾wakingme)

So: ’gaddhùsgadh(wakingyou)

’gadhùsgadh(wakinghim)

’gadùsgadh(wakingher–seehowitobeystheappropriaterule!)

’gardùsgadh(wakingus)

’gurdùsgadh(wakingyou–pl.)

’gandùsgadh(wakingthem)

Whenaverbalnounbeginswithavowel,weget:’gamiarraidh/’gadiarraidh/’gaiarraidh/’gah-iarraidh/’garn-iarraidh/’gurn-iarraidh/’ganiarraidh(wantingme,wantingyou,etc.).

NOWifyouareaskedthefollowingquestion:

AbheilGàidhligagad?(literally,“IsGaelicatyou?”➾Doyouhave(speak)Gaelic?).Youmightcurrentlyanswer:

Thabeagan(Alittle–shortforThabeaganagam)

Thami’gah-ionnsachadh(literally,“I’matitslearning”).ThisisequivalenttotheEnglishphrase“I’mintheprocessoflearningit”➾I’mlearningit

Withaverbalnounbeginningwith f+ vowel,wehave : ’gamfhalach/ ’gad fhalach/ ’gafhalach/’gafalach/’garfalach/’gurfalach/’gamfalach(hidingme,hidingyou,etc.).

Remember, languages are treated as feminine nouns in the Indo-European languages,includingGaelic.

Notethefollowingexpressions:

’Smathdochoinneachadh/urcoinneachadh(literally,“Isgoodyourmeeting”,orinEnglish“It’sgoodtomeetyou”)

Thamitoilichted’fhaicinn/urfaicinn(I’mgladtoseeyou)

Alternatively,youmightsay:

’Smath/thamitoilichteabhith’gadchoinneachadh/’gurcoinneachadh(literally,“Isgood/I’mgladtobeatyour(singular)/your(pluralorpolite)meeting”➯It’sgoodtobemeetingyou,orincolloquialEnglish,“It’sgoodtomeetyou”

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THEPOSSESSIVEPRONOUNWITHANN

Theonlyotherprepositionthatmayamalgamatewiththepossessivepronoun isann.Thisgivesusaneatwayofindicatingwhatpositionorstateofbodyormindwemaybein:

a) Tha mi ’nam dhùisg (I’m awake); also, Tha mi ’nam chadal/ ’nam shuidhe/ ’namsheasamh/’namlaighe(I’masleep,sitting(seated),standing,lyingdown).Herearealltheforms:

Dùisg Cadal Suidhe Seasamh Laighe

’namdhùisg ’namchadal ’namshuidhe ’namsheasamh ’namlaighe

’naddhùisg ’nadchadal ’nadshuidhe ’nadsheasamh ’nadlaighe

’nadhùisg ’nachadal ’nashuidhe ’nasheasamh ’nalaighe

’nadùisg ’nacadal ’nasuidhe ’naseasamh ’nalaighe

’nardùisg ’narcadal ’narsuidhe ’narseasamh ’narlaighe

’nurdùisg ’nurcadal ’nursuidhe ’nurseasamh ’nurlaighe

’nandùisg ’nancadal ’nansuidhe ’nanseasamh ’nanlaighe

Note:Inthefirstcolumn,noticethatthephrasesarebasedontheimperativeformoftheverbinsteadofontheverbalnounforms.

Theseformscanalsoservetoindicatewhoweare,inethnicityorwithregardtoourwork:

b) Thami’namGhàidheal(I’maGael);Abheile’namhinistear?(Isheaminister?);Bhasinn ’nar n-oileanaich (We were students);Am bi thu ’nad thidsear? (Will you be ateacher?)

Inthisconstruction,youwillnoticethatweusethebasicverb“tobe”whereasinSeallagan21,above,youbegantolearntosay–moreemphatically–whoyouarebyusingaformoftheCopulawithannam/annad/ann/innte/annainn/annaibh/annta(inme/inyou/inhim/inher/inus/inyou(pl.)/inthem).Forexample,’SeGàidhealath’annam(literally,“It’saGaelthat’sinme”➾I’maGael).InthenextsectionwewillhaveacomprehensivelookattheCopula.

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CLEACHDADH–CÒMHRADH:

SeoBrianagusamhàthairanna’còmhradhaigàmnabracaist.

Màthair(agéibheachd):Abheilthu’nadchadalfhathast,abhalaich?Thadobhracaistdeiseil(Thaamac’nadhùisgachchaneileairaodachachurairaguschatoilleisabhith’nachabhaig).

Brian:Thamia’curorm–bidhmishìosanna’mionaid!

Màthair:Andoghabhthufras?

Brian:Chadoghabh.

Màthair:Nighd’aodannagusdolàmhan,matha–agusgreasort!(Mudheireadhthall,tha Brian ’na shuidhe aig a’ bhòrd anns a’ chidsin ag ithe a bhracaist. Tha ’athair a’deasachadhairsonfalbh).

Athair : Feuch gum bi thu ag éisdeachd ri do mhàthair, a Bhriain – agus ’gacuideachadh.Ceart?

Brian:Ceart!

Athair: ’Smathsin!Thaearbs’agamásad–’segillemathath’unnad.Beannachdleibh–bidhmi’gurfaicinnfeasgar.Masdodh’fhalbhBriandhansgoil,chuidicheamhàthair–chuirea-machansoitheach-sgudaildhi.

FACLAN

agéibheachd:shouting balach:boy deiseil:ready/right cabhag(f.):hurry

shìos:down aodann:face làmh(-an)(f.):hand(s) greasort:hurryup(“onyou”)

mudheireadh:atlast mudheireadhthall:atlonglast a’suidhe:sitting bòrd:table

cidsin:kitchen feuch:see/try earbsa(f.):confidence,trust soitheach-sgudail:trashcan

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THECOPULA:THE“ASSERTIVE”VERB“TOBE”THEPRESENTTENSE:

TheCopulainthePresentTense:

Is:am,is,are

IsmiseSeumas(I’mJames).Somise=Seumas.Cha:amnot,isnot,arenot

ChamhiseIain(I’mnotJohn)

An?Am?:am?is?are?

Antusaanduine?(Areyoutheman?)

Nach?:amnot?isnot?arenot?

Nachiseantè?(Isn’tshetheone?)

…gur:thatam,thatis,thatare

Thaea’cantainngurtusaanduine(Hesays(that)you’retheman)

…nach:thatamnot,thatisnot,thatarenot

Thaea’cantainnnachiseantè(Hesays(that)she’snottheone)

IdiomswiththeCopulaandPrepositionalPronouns:

Notethat“periphrasis”–a“roundabout”wayofsayingit–isputtouse:’Stoigh(toil)leam(literally,“ispleasingwithme”➾Ilike);

’StoilleamSeumas(IlikeJames)

Cuideachd,’scaomhleam;’smathleam–“Ilike”insomedialects

’Sfheàrrleam(literally,“isbetterwithme”➾Iprefer)

’Slugh’orm(literally,“isleastonme”➾Idetest)

’Scòirdhomh(literally,“isrightforme”➾Ishould)

’Surrainndhomh(literally,“ispossibleforme”➾Ican)

’Sàbhaistdhomh(literally,“iscustomforme”➾Iusually…)

ExamplesofExpressions:

’Smathsin!(“Goodisthat”➾That’sgood!)

’Sbochdsin!(“Pooristhat”➾That’sapity!)

’Smatharinnthu!(literally,“Isgoodthatyoudid”➾Youdidwell!)

’Smathgubheilsibhann!(It’sgood(that)you’rehere(init)!)

’Sbrèaghanlà!(literally,“Beautifulistheday”➾It’sabeautifulday!)

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Ismaraichemi(I’masailor)

Nowtoconsiderthecopulainanemphaticconstructionwheretheinflectedprepositionannisputtouse,togetherwitharelativeclause(introducedbyrelativepronouna:who,that).Forexample:

’Semaraicheath’unnam(literally,“It’sasailorthatisinme”➾I’masailor)

TheCopulainthePresentTensewith“it”:

’Se:Itis

Chane:Itisnot

Ane?:Isit?

Nache?:Isn’tit?

…gure:…thatitis

…nache:...thatitisn’t

“Yes”=’Se;“No”=Chane

Note:wemayuseseadh(’seadh)asapositiveresponseinagreementtowhatisbeingsaid.

Sometypicalexamplesofthisconstruction:

’Selàbrèaghath’ann!(literally,“It’sabeautifuldaythatisinit”➾It’sabeautifulday!)

’Sespòrsath’ann!(It’sfun!)

’SeDòmhnallant-ainmath’orm(literally,“It’sDonaldthenamethat’sonme”➾MynameisDonald).

Dé ’n t-ainma th’ort? (literally, “What is thename that’sonyou?”➾What’s yourname?)

Note : immediatelyafter ’Se,Chane,etc.,wemusthaveanounphrase–forexample, làbrèagh,spòrs,Dòmhnallant-ainm–whichrequirestheclausethatcompletesthesentence.

Butwhenastatementiscontradicted,whenanadjective,prepositionalphraseorclauseisstressed,notethatitis’sann/b’annthatareusedinsteadof’se/b’e.Forexample:

’Sannfuarathaanlà!(“It’scoldthatthedayis”➾It’sacoldday!)

’Sannaigantaighathae(“It’satthehouseheis”➾He’sathome!)

’Sanngubheilmisgith–chanannnacheilmiairsonadholann!(“It’sthatI’mtired,notthatI’mnotforgoing!”➾It’sbecauseI’mtired–notthatIdon’twanttogo!).

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THEPAST/CONDITIONALTENSEOFTHECOPULA

Hereisthecopulainthepasttense:

Bu:was/wouldbe

Butoilleam

Buchòirdhomh

Chabu:wasnot/wouldnotbe

Chabutoilleam

Chabuchòirdhomh

Ambu?:was?wouldbe?

Ambutoilleat?

Ambuchòirdhut?

Nachbu?:wasn’t?wouldn’tbe?

Nachbutoilleat?

Nachbuchòirdhut?

Notethatlenitionoccursafterbuexceptwithconsonantsd,t,l,n,r;also,usuallybutoilleammeans“Iwouldlike”insteadof“Iliked”.

Ifthispasttensecopulaformiscombined,asshownabove,with“it”,wehave:

B’e:Itwas;

Chab’e:Itwasn’t;

Amb’e?:Wasit?;

Nachb’e?:Wasn’tit?

…gurab’e:…thatitwas

…nachb’e:…thatitwasn’t

“Yes”=B’e;“No”=Chab’e

B’eMàiriabh’ann(ItwasMary(thatwasinit)).

CLEACHDADH

’Sefeasgarcarceòthachabh’annnuairadh’fhosgailmidorusantaigh-òsda.Bhamochàirdeanannmuthràthagusglainneaiggachduine.

Cailean: Sinthu,aMhurchaidh!Marathathua’faicinn,chadodh’fhuirichsinnort!Débutoilleat?

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Murchadh: Chabuchòirdhomhòlidirandràsda–’seanco-là-breithaigmomhàthairath’annandiugh’sbidhmia’tadhaloirreannochd.

Uilleam: Aneprèasantdhiath’agadansin’nadlàimh?

Murchadh: ’Se.SmaoinichmigurabutoilleathaanleabharùrlePeadarMay.

Uilleam: Glémhath!’Stoilleams’ecuideachd.

Cailean: Och,adhuine!Nachb’fheàrrleathaflùraicheannostuthcùbhraidh?

Murchadh: Chab’fheàrr.Chanannnachtoilleathanarudansinachthafhios’amgumbiitoilichteleisa’leabharseo.Codhiùbh,feumaidhmifalbh–bidhmi’gurfaicinn!

FACLAN

car:somewhat ceòthach:foggy/misty a’fosgladh:opening taigh-òsda:inn,tavern

rud(-an):thing(s) codhiùbh:anyway muthràth:already glainne(f.):aglass

mar:as/like gach:each a’tadhalair:visiting(on) andràsda:(right)now

co-là-breith:birthday flùr(-aichean):flower(s)stuthcùbhraidh:“fragrantstuff”,perfume

idir:atall(negativeintensive) caraid:friend càirdean:friends(inplural,“relatives”)


REGULARVERBS:FUTURETENSEAsalways,webeginfromtherootoftheverb:

a) Caidil!:Sleep!

Caidlidhmi:Iwillsleep

Chachaidilmi:Iwon’tsleep

Ancaidilthu?:Willyousleep?

Nachcaidilthu?:Won’tyousleep?

Thaea’cantainnguncaidile:Hesays(that)hewillsleep.

Thaea’cantainnnachcaidile:Hesays(that)hewon’tsleep.

Cóachaidleas?:Whowillsleep?

Cuin’achaidleastu?:Whenwillyousleep?

Càit’ancaidilmi?:WherewillIsleep?

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b) Dùisg!Wake!

Dùisgidhmi:Iwillwake

Chadùisgmi:Iwon’twake

Andùisgthu?:Willyouwake?

Nachdùisgthu?:Won’tyouwake?

Thaea’cantainngundùisgetràthammàireach:Hesayshe’llwakeearlytomorrow

Thaea’cantainnnachdùisgetràthidir:Hesayshewon’twakeearlyatall

Cóadhùisgeas?:Whowillwake?

Cuin’adhùisgeastu?:Whenwillyouwake?

Càit’andùisgthu?:Wherewillyouwake?

c) Éirich!:Rise!Getup!

Éirichidhmi:Iwillgetup

Chanéirichmifhathast:Iwon’tgetupyet.

Anéirichthu,’Iain?:Willyougetup,Iain?

Nachéirichthu,aMhàiri?:Won’tyougetup,Mary?

Thaea’cantainngunéiricheanna’mionaid:Hesays(that)he’llgetupinaminute.

Thaea’cantainnnachéiricheandràsda:Hesays(that)hewon’tgetupjustnow.

Cóadh’éiricheas?:Whowillrise?

Cuin’adh’éiricheastu?:Whenwillyougetup?

Càit’anéirichthuammàireach?:Wherewillyourisetomorrow?

Carsonnachéirichthu?:Whywon’tyougetup?

d) Cuir!Put!

Cuiridhmiormm’aodach:I’llputon(me)myclothes➾I’llgetdressed.

Chachuirmiormm’aodachfhathast:Iwon’tgetdressedyet.

Ancuirthuortd’aodach?:Willyouputon(you)yourclothes?Willyougetdressed?

Nachcuirthuortd’aodach?:Won’tyougetdressed?

Thaeagràdhguncuireair’aodach:Hesayshe’llgetdressed.

Thaiagràdhnachcuirioirreah-aodachandràsda:Shesaysshewon’tgetdressedjustnow.

Cóachuireasseoair?:Whowillputthisonhim?➾Whowillwearthis?

Cuin’achuireastuandinnearaira’bhòrd?:Whenwillyouput(the)dinneronthetable?

Càit’ancuirmiseo?:WherewillIputthis?

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e) Fàg!Leave!

Fàgaidhmiantaighaigochduaireanannsa’mhadainn:I’llleavethehouseateightinthemorning.

ChanfhàgmiCeapBreatainnrim’bheò:Iwon’tleaveCapeBretonaslongasIlive.

Amfàgthusin?:Willyouleavethat?

Nachfhàgthuantaigh?:Won’tyouleavethehouse?

Thaea’cantainngumfàgeandùthaich:Hesays(that)hewillleavethecountry.

Thaea’cantainnnachfhàgethuachaoidh:Hesays(that)hewillneverleaveyou➾thathewillnotleaveyouever

Cóadh’fhàgas…?:Whowillleave…?

Cuin’adh’fhàgastu?:Whenwillyouleave?

Càit’amfàgmiseo?:WherewillIleavethis?

CLEACHDADH“Caidlidhmigusunndachannochd,aMhàiri!”dh’éibhFionnlaghagusea’tighinna-steachdhantaighaca.“Gedachuireasiaddhethfeadhainndhenluchd-obrachanathsheachdain,chabhimise’nammeasg!”

“O,aghràidhort!”ghlaodhMàiri,“nachmathsin!Abairnaidheachdmhath!Cuiridhmiaira’choire–bidhfeumagadaircupatì.”ThaMàiria’creidsinngubheilfeumairsrùbaguairsambith.

ChumFionnlaghaira’bruidhinn.

“Gearraidhiadandreuchdaigmocharaid,Iain.Fàgaidheandùthaich,bhaeaginnsedhomh.”

“ChachòrdsinriEilidh”.B’eEilidhbeanIain.

“Och,chaneilfhios’am–madh’fhalbhasiad, ’sdòchagumbicothromannasfheárraca’’.

“Codhiùbh,aghràidh,caidlidhsinnegusunndachannochdaguséirichidhsinnleceumaotromammàireach”.

FACLANgusunndach:joyfully(English“soundly”) a’tighinn:coming a-steach:inside

luchd-obrach:“workpeople”,staff gràdh :love a’glaodhadh :cryingout

dreuchd(f.):job,workposition coire(f.):kettle a’creidsinn:believing

feum:need,use srùbag(f.) :“acuppa” uairsambith:(at)anytime ceum:step

a’gearradh:cutting bean(f.):woman,wife a’còrdadhri:agreeingwith

’sdòcha:“ispossible”,perhaps abair:say!(imperativeofirregularverbagràdh)

cothrom(-an):opportunity(-ies) aotrom:light(adj.)

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THECONDITIONALTENSE:A)BASICVERB“TOBE”;ANDB)REGULARVERBS

Theconditionaltenseisuniqueinhavingasinglewordforthe1stPerson:

a) Bhithinn:IwouldbeBhitheadh/bhiodhtu,e,i,sinn,sibh,iad:You,he,she,it,we,you(pl.),theywouldbe.

Bhitheamaid/bhiomaid:Wewouldbe

Chabhithinn:Iwouldn’tbe

Cha bhitheadh/bhiodh tu, e, i, sinn, sibh, iad : You, he, she, it, we, you (pl.), theywouldn’tbe

Ambithinn?:WouldIbe?

Ambitheadh/biodhtu,e,i,sinn,sibh,iad?:Wouldyou,he,she,it,we,you(pl.),theybe?

Nachbithinn?:Wouldn’tIbe?

Nachbitheadh/biodhtu,e,i,sinn,sibh,iad?:Wouldn’tyou,he,she,it,we,you(pl.),theybe?

…gumbithinn:…thatIwouldbe

…gumbitheadh/biodhtu,e,i,sinn,sibh,iad:…thatyou,he,she,it,we,you(pl.),theywouldbe

…nachbithinn:…thatIwouldn’tbe

…nachbitheadh/biodhtu,e,i,sinn,sibh,iad:…thatyou,he,she,it,we,you(pl.),theywouldn’tbe

Bhitheadh:Yes;Chabhitheadh:No

b) Webeginfromthepasttenseformandaddtheendings:

a’tòiseachadh:beginning;tòisich!:begin!Thòisichmi:Ibegan

Thòisichinn:Iwouldbegin;thòisicheadhtu,e,i,sinn,sibh,iad(thòisicheamaid:wewouldbegin)

Chatòisichinn:Iwouldn’tbegin;chatòisicheadhtu,etc.

Antòisichinn?:WouldIbegin?;antòisicheadhtu,etc.?

Nachtòisichinn?:Wouldn’tIbegin?;nachtòisicheadhtu,etc.?

…guntòisichinn:…thatIwouldbegin;…guntòisicheadhtu,etc.

…nachtòisichinn:…thatIwouldn’tbegin;…nachtòisicheadhtu,etc.

Note:wesawhowthu➾tubefore-sintherelativefuture;forexample,Cóabhiostua’coinneachadh?Thisalsooccursafter-dhand-a(seeIrregularVerbs).

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Note:traditionally,the1stpersonpluralhadasingleform;todaythisisrarelyused.

IF-CLAUSES

WiththeConditionalTense:

Bhithinnsonaanna’Torontonanrobhthusacòmhlarium(IwouldbehappyinTorontoifyouwerealongwithme).

Chabhithinnsonaanna’Toronto,murrobhthusacòmhlarium(Iwouldn’tbehappyinTorontoifyouwerenotalongwithme–orunlessyouwerewithme).

Nantòisicheadhtu,chabhiodhtufadaris!(Ifyouwouldbegin,youwouldn’tbelongatit!)

Muritheadhtu,bhiodhant-acrasort(Ifyouwouldn’teat,you’dbehungry).

WithOtherTenses:

Our basic positive “if” with all tenses but the conditional isma, sometimes called theconsequential“if”;ontheotherhand,thenegative“if” forALLtenses ismur (this isoftenmura,usuallywhenfollowedbyaconsonant):

Mathathusgith,dèansuidhe(Ifyouaretired,“dositting”➾haveaseat).

Mabhaeann,chanfhacamis’e(Ifhewasthere,Ididn’tseehim).

Mabhiossìdemhathann,gabhaidhsinncuairt(Iftherewillbegoodweather,we’lltakeawalk).

Mureilthua’tighinn,théidmiannleamfhìn(Ifyou’renotcoming,I’llgobymyself).

Murrobhthua’dolann,carsonnachdodh’innisthudhomh?(Ifyouweren’tgoing,whydidn’tyoutellme?)

Murabilàmathann,chanfhalbhsinn(Ifitwon’tbeagoodday,wewon’tgo).

CLEACHDADH

Ròsg-ranntaichean–Sentences:

a) Bhithinna’tadhalairmosheanair’smosheanmhairah-uilesamhradhnuairabhamiòg(Iwouldbevisiting/usedtovisitmygrannyandgrandfathereverysummerwhenIwasyoung)

b) Thamis’aginnsedhutgumbithinnsonaanna’Toronto(I’mtellingyouthatIwouldbehappyinToronto)

c) Cóabhiodhsonaa’fuireachda’sin?(Whowouldbehappylivingthere?).

d) Achambitheamaidsona?(Butwouldwebehappy?)

e) Dh’innisidhomhgumbiodhea’tighinndhachaidhammàireach(Shetoldme(that)hewouldbecominghometomorrow)

f) Càit’ambiodhiada’fuireachd?(Wherewouldtheybeliving?)

g) Ciamarabhiodhfiosaigesan?(Howwouldheknow?)

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h) Ambitheadhclasanndo luchd-ionnsachaidh?Bhitheadh (Would therebeaclass forlearners?Yes)

Còmhradh–Conversation:

Ghabhainncupatìandràsdananrobhùineagam!

Angabhadhtu-fhéinsrùbag?Ghabhadh,gudearbh!

Ghabhadheòrandhutnaniarradhtuair!

Càit’antogadhtuantaigh?(a’togail:lifting/building/raising)

Thogainnea’seonanrobhairgeadguleòragam!

Nachtogadhtuanleanabhanna’CeapBreatainn?Thogadh!(leanabh:child)

Déadh’ionnsaicheadhtunanrobhancothromagad?

Dh’ionnsaichinncainntmomhàthar(cainnt(f.):speech/language)

NachionnsaicheadhtuFraingis?Chanionnsaicheadh!

Chanithinnsin!Thaeromhilis.

Achdh’ithinnpìosarancoirce,mathasinagad(arancoirce:oatcake;literally,“bread-ofoat”)

Thaea’cantainngunitheadhegréimbidhe(gréimbidhe:“abitoffood”,asnack)

Choisicheadheah-uilelàannsant-samhradh

Ancoisicheadhtucòmhlarium?Choisicheadh

Choisichinncòmhlariutmurrobhmitrang

Dh’fhàgadheantaighah-uilemadainnaigochduairean

Chanfhàgainnant-àiteseo–amfàgadhtu-fhéine?

Thaea’cantainnnachfhàgadhesanant-àitecodhiubh

Chanfhalbhainnásd’aonais(ásd’aonais:“withoutyou”)

Thaea’cantainngumfalbhadheairsaor-láitheanmurrobhcusaigeridhèanamh(cus:

“toomuch”)

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RETURNINGTOTHEDEFINITEARTICLEANDTOTHENOUNS

Asnotedearlier,GaelicnounsaredividedintoMasculine(m.)andFeminine(f.)–seeprefaceto Module One ofGàidhlig troimh Chòmhradh for nouns most likely to be masculine orfeminine.Asyou learnnewvocabulary,youMUST learnwhich iswhichsince theybehaveaccordingtotheirownconventions.Wewillbeginwiththemen’snameswehadearlier.Theseare,asyoumightexpect,masculinenouns.Andwenowaremoving toexaminesentencestructure–Nabithibhfochùram!(Don’tbedismayed!).’Sespòrsath’ann!(It’sfun!)Thetraditionalterms(basedonLatinusage)areontherightinparenthesis.Thecorresponding,moremoderngrammaticaltermistotheleft:

A’CHIADCHLÀRFIREANNTA:TheFirstDeclensionMasculine

AinmearanFireannta:AinmeanFhireannach–MasculineNouns:Men’sNames:

SUBJECT DhùisgSeumas Jimwoke (NominativeCase)

DIRECTOBJECT DhùisgIainSeumas IainwokeJim (AccusativeCase)

ADDRESSFORM Dùisg,aSheumais! Wake(up),Jim! (VocativeCase)

PREPOSITIONALPHRASE(IndirectObject)

BhaancadalairSeumasfhathast Jimwasstillsleepy (DativeCase)

(Literally,“thesleepwasonJimyet/still”)

POSSESSIVE DhùisgbràthairSheumaise Jim’sbrotherwokehim

(GenitiveCase)

NoticehowGaelicusestheSlenderization(Palatalization)Principle–showninspellingbytheadditionof“i”afterthelastbroadvowel–todifferentiatestructuraldifferencesinthenoun,togetherwiththeuseoflenition.

Now replace “Seumas”with theappropriate formsofBrian,Calum, Fionnlagh,Murchadh,Pàdraig(Pàdruig),Tormod.

Rememberwhatyou learned inSeallagan9? i)Coinneach :ea➾ i before -ch; ii)Cailean,Ailean,Uilleam:ea➾eibefore-nor-mwhereinthenamesabove,iisinsertedafterthelastbroad vowel in the Address form (Vocative) and Possessive (Genitive), unless it is therealready,asinPàdraig,Iain,etc.

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CONTINUINGWITHTHE1STDECLENSIONMASCULINE+THEARTICLE

CommonMasculine(m.)Nouns,oneortwosyllables,broadvowels :simpleadditionof iafterlastbroadvowelasseeninpatternbelow:

aran,aodach,aodann,bàrd,blàths,balach,bodach,bradan,cadal,caolas,cat,cladach,cosnadh,dòchas,dorus,eagal,earrach,eòlas,facal,feadan,feasgar,foghar,fraoch,Gàidheal, geamhradh, giomach, gràdh, laogh, laochan, leasan,mac,maol,mullach,òran,rionnach,samhradh,saoghal,seanchas,siùcar,solus,torman

Note :nonounsending inavowelbelong in thisgroup!Somethree-syllable,broad-vowelnounsbelonghere;forexample,boireannach,oileanach,adhartas.

We will sample these together with the Article (see nouns WITHOUT the article, plusadjectives,inSeallagan35;indefinitenounsoccurlessofteninGaelic).Althoughmostofthevocatives(addressforms)willseldombeused,exceptpossiblybyabard,theyareincludedforcompleteness.

a) Vowel-initialNouns:

Noticehow,andwhere, t- andh- areput touse; the insertionof i takesplacewhereexpected.

Singilte/Singular Iolra/Plural

SUBJECT Bhaant-òranceòlmhor Bhanah-òrainceòlmhor (NominativeCase)

DIRECTOBJECT Ghabhsinnant-òran Ghabhsinnnah-òrain (AccusativeCase)

ADDRESSFORM ’Òrain! ’Òrana(ibh)! (VocativeCase)


Dh’éisdiadrisanòran Dh’éisdiadrisnah-òrain (DativeCase)

POSSESSIVE ’Stoilleamfaclananòrain ’Stoilleamfaclannanòran (GenitiveCase)

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b) Nounsbeginningwithb,c,g,m,p:


SUBJECT DhùisgambalachIain DhùisgnabalaichIain (NominativeCase)

DIRECTOBJECT DhùisgIainambalach DhùisgIainnabalaich (AccusativeCase)

ADDRESSFORM Dùisg,abhalaich! Dùisgibh,abhalacha(ibh)! (VocativeCase)


Bhaancadalaira’bhalach Bhaancadalairnabalaich (DativeCase)

POSSESSIVE Dhùisgmàthaira’bhalaiche

Dhùisgmàthairnambalachiad

(GenitiveCase)

c) Nounsbeginningwithd,t:


SUBJECT Dhùinandorus Dhùinnadoruis(dorsan) (NominativeCase)

DIRECTOBJECT DhùinIainandorus DhùinIainnadoruis(dorsan) (AccusativeCase)

ADDRESSFORM Dùin,adhoruis! Dùinibh,adhorusa(ibh)!(adhorsan!)

(VocativeCase)


BhaIainaigan*dorus BhaIainaignadoruis(dorsan)

(DativeCase)

POSSESSIVE Càit’abheiliuchairan*doruis?

Càit’abheiliuchraicheannandorsan?

(GenitiveCase)

*Thereisnolenitionofdandtinthesingularprepositionalphraseandgenitiveforms.

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d) Nounsbeginningwithf+vowel:


SUBJECT Bhaamfeadanaira’bhòrd Bhanafeadainaira’bhòrd (NominativeCase)

DIRECTOBJECT Thogambalachamfeadan Thognabalaichnafeadain (AccusativeCase)

ADDRESSFORM ’Fheadain! Fheadana(ibh)! (VocativeCase)


Chluichambalachportairanfheadan

Chluichnabalaichportairnafeadain

(DativeCase)

POSSESSIVE ’Stoilleamfuaimanfheadain!

’Stoilleamfuaimnamfeadan

(GenitiveCase)

e) Nounsbeginningwiths+vowel,sl,sn,sr:


SUBJECT Thaansolusair Bhanasoluisair (NominativeCase)

DIRECTOBJECT Chunnaicmiansolus Chunnaicminasoluis (AccusativeCase)

ADDRESSFORM Asholuis! Asholusa(ibh!) (VocativeCase)


Annsant-solus,… Leisnasoluis,…. (DativeCase)

POSSESSIVE blàthsant-soluis blàthsnansolus (GenitiveCase)

f) Nounsbeginningwithl,n,r:


SUBJECT Thaanlaoghmireagach Thanalaoighmireagach (NominativeCase)

DIRECTOBJECT ChuirIainanlaogha-mach ChuirIainnalaoigha-mach (AccusativeCase)

ADDRESSFORM Alaoigh! Alaogha(ibh)! (VocativeCase)


ThugIainbiadhdhanlaogh ThugIainbiadhdhanalaoigh (DativeCase)

POSSESSIVE Thugmàthairanlaoighdeochdha

Thugmàthairnanlaoghdeochdhaibh

(GenitiveCase)

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MasculineNounswithtwoormoresyllablesbelongingtothisdeclensionwhenhavingeainthelastsyllable:

aoibhneas,càirdeas,fìdhlear,inneal,gàirdean,ministear.Asyoumightexpect,ea➾ei in thepossessive (genitive);and except foraoibhneas, and càirdeas, these othernounshavepluralendingsin-an:fìdhlearan,gàirdeanan,innealan,ministearan.Notetheexception:airgead,whereea➾i(comparethesetothemen’snamesabove).

Note:withthenounmac,a➾i.Sincethisisawordthatisoftenused,itmightbeinstructivetoseeitsdeclensioninbrief:


SUBJECT ammac namic (NominativeCase)

DIRECTOBJECT ammac namic (AccusativeCase)

ADDRESSFORM amhic! amhaca(ibh)! (VocativeCase)


aiga’mhac aignamic (DativeCase)

POSSESSIVE taigha’mhic taighnammac (GenitiveCase)


THEFIRSTDECLENSIONMASCULINEWITHDEFINITEARTICLE,CONTINUED

Witha1stdeclension,masculinenounwithadefinitearticle,vowelchangesmayoccuralso:

a) òtoù:


SUBJECT ambòrd:thetable nabùird:thetables

DIRECTOBJECT ambòrd:thetable nabùird:thetables

ADDRESSFORM Abhùird!:Otable! Abhòrda(ibh)!:Otables!


aiga’bhòrd:atthetable aignabùird:atthetables

POSSESSIVE ceanna’bhùird:theheadofthetable meudnambòrd:thesizeofthetables

Similarwordsinclude:òrd(hammer);cnoc(hill);fonn(tune);tonn(wave);sonn(hero).

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b) eatoi:


SUBJECT anceann thehead nacinn theheads

DIRECTOBJECT anceann thehead nacinn theheads

ADDRESSFORM Achinn! Ohead! Acheanna(ibh)! Oheads!


aiga’cheann atthehead aignacinn attheheads

POSSESSIVE meuda’chinn thesizeofthehead meudnanceann

thesizeoftheheads

Similarwordsinclude:gleann(glen);fear(man).

c) eòtoiù:


SUBJECT anseòl thesail nasiùil thesails

DIRECTOBJECT anseòl thesail nasiùil thesails

ADDRESSFORM Ashiùil! Osail! Asheòla(ibh)! Osails!


aigant-seòl atthesail aignasiùil atthesails

POSSESSIVE meudant-siùil thesizeofthesail meudnanseòl thesizeofthesails

d) eutoeò:


SUBJECT ansgeul thestory nasgeòil thestories

DIRECTOBJECT ansgeul thestory nasgeòil thestories

ADDRESSFORM Asgeòil! Ostory! Asgeula(ibh)! Ostories!


aigansgeul atthestory aignasgeòil atthestories

POSSESSIVE feadhansgeòil thelengthofthestory feadhnansgeul theextentofthestories

Note:sgdoesnotlenite.

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Similarwordsincludebeul:mouth;neul:cloud

e) iatoéi:


SUBJECT amfiadh thedeer naféidh thedeer(pl.)

DIRECTOBJECT amfiadh thedeer naféidh thedeer(pl.)

ADDRESSFORM ’fhéidh! Odeer! ’fhiadha(ibh)! Odeer!(pl.)


aiganfhiadh atthedeer aignaféidh atthedeer(pl.)

POSSESSIVE meudanfhéidh thesizeofthedeer meudnamfiadh thesizeofthedeer(pl.)

THEFIRSTDECLENSIONMASCULINEWITHADJECTIVES

a) WithouttheDefiniteArticle:


SUBJECT bàrdmór agreatpoet bàirdmhóra greatpoets

DIRECTOBJECT bàrdmór agreatpoet bàirdmhóra greatpoets

ADDRESSFORM — — — —


aigbàrdmór atagreatpoet aigbàirdmhóra atgreatpoets

POSSESSIVE bàirdmhóir agreatpoet’s bhàrdmóra greatpoets’

b) WiththeDefiniteArticle:


SUBJECT ambàrdmór thegreatpoet nabàirdmhóra thegreatpoets

DIRECTOBJECT ambàrdmór thegreatpoet nabàirdmhóra thegreatpoets

ADDRESSFORM ABhàirdMhóir! Ogreatpoet! ABhàrda(ibh)M(h)óra! Ogreatpoets!


aiga’bhàrdmhór atthegreatpoet aignabàirdmhóra atthegreatpoets

POSSESSIVE maca’bhàirdmhóir thesonofthegreatpoet

micnambàrdmóra thesonsofthegreatpoets

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Thinkagainofthemeaningoftheverbalnouns;forexample,a’togail(atlifting(of)).Ifyouputanounafterit,itmustgointothepossessive(genitive)case,asina’togaila’chinn.

Hereareafewmore:a’cluinntinna’bhàird,aginnseansgeòil,a’marbhadhanfhéidh,andsoon.

Itshouldbenotedthattraditionally,whenanindefinitenounfollowedaverbalnoun,thatnounwouldbeputinthegenitivecase;today,especiallyinScotland,thatisnolongerdoneexceptperhapsinformalwriting.

Alsonote:mostoften,theadjectivefollowsthenoun.BUTwithdroch(bad);deagh(good);sean (old), the adjective comes first. For example, droch shìde, deagh dhùrachd, seanndaoine;thiscanalsooccurinwordslikemór-chuid(greatportion,majority).Youmayhavenoticedthatintheexampleofseanndaoine,whenawordendsin-nandthefollowingwordbeginswithd-ort-,theselasttwoconsonantswillnotlenite.Thinkofthesong“Horo,monigheandonnbhòidheach”.

ThislastexamplebringstomindanothergrammaticalconditioninGaelic.Whentwoormorenounsfolloweachotherinaseries,usuallyonlythelastonemaybeinthegenitivecase;forexample,meudmacSheumais(thesizeofJames’sson);bòidhcheadGleannBharraigh(thebeautyofBarraGlen).However,dependingonthemeaning,boththesecondandthirdnounsmay be in the possessive (genitive) case; for example, bàrdachd cogaidh Dhòmhnaill(Donald’swarpoetry,orliterally,“thepoetryofwarofDonald”).

CLEACHDADH

BhamacSheumaisa’teagasgaigSgoila’Chnuicabhasuidhichteairbarra’rathaidpìosa-machása’bhaile.’SeCoinneachant-ainmabh’air;bhae’nadhuineàrd,tapaidhaguschòrderisabhith’nathidsear,guh-àraidhgurab’iadluchd-ionnsachaidhògabh’aige,abhaèasgaidhagusmeasailairionnsachadh.Dh’fhosgailedorusant-seòmairaguschuireleabharnansgeulabh’aigeairandeasg:andiugh,bhiodhea’curanaithnenansgoilearaneachdraidhnanGàidheal,páirtdheneachdraidhacafhéin;agusbhiodhiada’leughadhSgeulAonghais,aruithairfalbhgumuirásanEileanSgitheanachnuairabhae’naghilleògagusabha,mudheireadh,’nabhàrddoChomannGàidhligSealainNuaidhe.“BidhnacuairteansiubhailaigAonghasinntinneachdhanasgoilearanagam”,smaoinichCoinneachrisfhéin.

FACLANa’teagasg:teaching cnoc:hill(possessive.cnuic) rathad:road comann:society,club

muir:sea Ant-EileanSgitheanach:theIsleofSkye a’leughadh:reading

eachdraidh(f.):history,tradition,story àrd:high,tall èasgaidh:willing,nimble,active

tapaidh:smart/manly seòmar:room measailair:fondof,keenon barr:top,summit

cuairt(f.):circuit,excursion luchd-ionnsachaidh:learners a’siubhal:travelling

guh-àraidh:especially SealanNuadh(f.):NewZealand inntinneach:interesting

cuairtsiubhail:adventure aithne(f.):knowledge/acquaintance

suidhichte:situated(pastparticipleofa’suidheachadh) pìos:“apiece”,ashortdistance

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THEFIRSTDECLENSIONFEMININE

a) Hereisanexampleofa1stdeclension,feminine(f.)nounwithoutthedefinitearticle:


SUBJECT beinn amountain beanntan mountains

DIRECTOBJECT beinn amountain beanntan mountains



aigbeinn atamountain aigbeanntan atmountains

POSSESSIVE meudbeinne thesizeofamountain meudbheanntan thesizeofmountains

b) Hereisanexampleofa1stdeclension,femininenounwiththedefinitearticle:


SUBJECT a’bheinn themountain nabeanntan themountains

DIRECTOBJECT a’bheinn themountain nabeanntan themountains

ADDRESSFORM Abheinn! Omountain! Abheanntan! Omountains!


aiga’bheinn atthemountain aignabeanntan atthemountains

POSSESSIVE meudnabeinne thesizeofthemountain meudnambeann(tan)

thesizeofthemountains

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THEFIRSTDECLENSIONFEMININEWITHADJECTIVES

a) Hereisanexampleofa1stdeclension,indefinitefemininenounwithanadjective:


SUBJECT beinnmhór abig/greatmountain beanntanmóra bigmountains

DIRECTOBJECT beinnmhór abigmountain beanntanmóra bigmountains



aigbeinnmhóir atabigmountain aigbeanntanmóra atbigmountains

POSSESSIVE meudbeinnemóire thesizeofamountain meudbheanntanmóra thesizeofmountains

b) Hereisanexampleofa1stdeclension,definitefemininenounwithanadjective:


SUBJECT a’bheinnmhór thebigmountain nabeanntanmóra thebigmountains

DIRECTOBJECT a’bheinnmhór thebigmountain nabeanntanmóra thebigmountains

ADDRESSFORM Abheinnmhór! Obigmountain! Abheanntanmóra! Obigmountains!


aiga’bheinnmhóir atthebigmountain aignabeanntanmóra atthebigmountains

POSSESSIVE meudnabeinnemóire thesizeofthemountain

meudnambeanntanmóra

thesizeofthebigmountains

Noticehowthearticlechangesnotjustbetweensingularandplural,butwithineachone;soit isna thatweuse inthegenitivesingular,butthat’swhatwealsouse inthenominativeplural.Intheplural,thearticlechangesfromnatonaminthegenitiveplural.Also,thearticleinthepluralcasescoincideswithitsuseinthemasculinepluralcases.

Noticetoothattheadjectiveagreeswiththenouninthefemininedativecasesingular.

Otherfemininenounsinthisdeclension:

làmh–pl.làmhan(hand);glùn–pl.glùintean(knee);rann–pl.rannanorranntaichean(verse);bròg–pl.brògan(shoe).

Wordswithvowelsoundchange:

cas/cois/coise/casan;fras/frois/froise/frasan;clann/cloinn/cloinne;grian/gréin/gréine;crìoch/crìch/crìche/crìochan; creag/creig/creige/creagan; caileag/caileig/caileig(e)/caileagan

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Note:seehowifiguresinthedativecaseinthisdeclension:

’namlàimh(inmyhand);aira’ghlùin(ontheknee);annsa’bhròig(intheshoe);airchois(onfoot);fo’nghréin(underthesun);aiga’chaileig(atthegirl)

ThefemininedativecasehasallbutdisappearedinScottishGaelicusage–exceptforfixedphrases (’nam làimh,air chois); however, it is still found in Nova Scotiawhere themoretraditionalformsareoftenpreferred.

Alsonote:thewordabhainn (river) losesasyllable inthegenitivecasebeforeaddingtheending:aibhne,(pl.)aibhnichean.

CLEACHDADH

Seònaid:Défo’nghréinath’agada’sin,aChaluim?

Calum: Chaneilannachseannfhìdheallalorgmiaira’lobhtaidh(ShuidhCalumsìos,chuireanfhìdheallairaghlùin,agusshuatheamheuranairteudannafìdhle).

Seònaid:Cóannsanteaghlachabhiodha’seinnnafìdhle,aChaluim?

Calum: Mosheanair–amfearachaillabheathaaigàma’ChogaidhMhóir.

Seònaid:Bhiodh mo sheanair-sa a’ seinn na pìoba anns a’ réisimeid aige – NaSìophortaich.

Calum: Ambitheadh?Bhamis’airsonabhith’namphìobairachcharobhancothromagam.

Seònaid:Carson nach ionnsaich thu fìdhlearachd air an fhìdhill a lorg thu? (Las ashùilean).

Calum: Abheilthua’smaoineachadh…?

Seònaid:Thagudearbh,aChaluim!Siuthadthusa–thaearbs’agamásad.

FACLAN

fìdheall(f.):fiddle airanfhìdhill:onthefiddle ceòlnafìdhle:themusicofthefiddle

a’call:losing teud(-an):string(s) a’lorg:finding/discovering àm:time

beatha(f.):life a’suathadh:touching/rubbing siuthad!:goon! cogadh:war

NaSìophortaich:TheSeaforthHighlanders lobht(aidh):loft cothrom:opportunity

a’lasadh:lighting(up)/kindling

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THE“SMALL”DECLENSIONS

Thedefinitearticlecontinuestofollowtherulesthatbelongtothetwomaindeclensions.

a) Familynamesloseiinthegenitivesingular;here’sanexamplewithoutadefinitearticle:


SUBJECT/DIRECTOBJECT màthair amother màthraichean mothers


aigmàthair atamother aigmàthraichean atmothers

POSSESSIVE macmàthar amother’sson micmhàthraichean mothers’sons

b) Withthedefinitearticle:


SUBJECT/DIRECTOBJECT a’mhàthair themother namàthraichean mothers

ADDRESSFORM amhàthair! Omother! amhàthraichean! Omothers!


aiga’mhàthair atthemother aignamàthraichean atthemothers

POSSESSIVE macnamàthar themother’sson micnammàthraichean themothers’sons

c) Thewordsathair,bràthair,seanair,seanmhairbehavesimilarly,BUTpiutharisirregular.

Withnodefinitearticle,wehave:


SUBJECT/DIRECTOBJECT piuthar asister peathraichean sisters


aigpiuthair atasister aigpeathraichean atsisters

POSSESSIVE macpeathar asister’sson micpheathraichean sisters’sons

Withthedefinitearticle:

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SUBJECT/DIRECTOBJECT a’phiuthar thesister napeathraichean thesisters

ADDRESSFORM aphiuthair! Osister! apheathraiche! Osisters!


aiga’phiuthair atthesister aignapeathraichean atthesisters

POSSESSIVE macnapeathar thesister’sson micnampeathraichean thesisters’sons

d) Nouns,masculineorfeminine,withgenitivesingularendingin-abehaveabitstrangely;someofthosenounsloseasyllablebeforetheendingisaddedandotherschangethevowel:

loch(m.):meudanlocha(thesizeoftheloch)

dùthaich(f.):a’moladhnadùthcha(praisingthecountry)

feòil(f.):blasnafeòla(thetasteofthemeat)

fuil(f.):dathnafala(thecolouroftheblood)

sùil(f.):solusnasùla(thelightoftheeye)

druim(m.):neartandroma(thestrengthoftheback)

Samhainn(f.):OidhchenaSamhna(Halloweennight)

mil(f.):blasnameala(thetasteofhoney)

e) Possessive(genitive)singularendingin-(e)ach:

Nounsendingin-r:litir(f.):naidheachdnalitreach(thenewsoftheletter);obair(f.):dìthobrach(lackofwork);suipear(f.),dinnear(f.):àmnasuipearach/nadinnearach(thetimeofthesupper/dinner➾suppertime/dinnertime);caora (f.) :cloimhnacaorach(thesheep’swool–seeDwelly’sDictionaryforthefulldeclension).

Nounsendingin-l:anail(f.)becomesanalach

Note:todayyouwillalsohearàmnadinneir/suipeir.

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f) Irregularnouns:piuthar(f.)(sister–seeabove)

bean(f.)(woman,wife):


SUBJECT/DIRECTOBJECT a’bhean thewoman namnathan women

ADDRESSFORM abhean! Owoman/wife! amhnathan! Owomen!


aiga’mhnaoi atthewoman aignamnathan atthewomen

POSSESSIVE macnamnà thewoman’sson micnammnathan thewomen’ssons

muir(m./f.)(sea):


SUBJECT/DIRECTOBJECT ammuir(a’mhuir) thesea namarannan theseas

ADDRESSFORM amhuir! Osea! Amharannan! Oseas!


aiga’mhuir atthesea aignamarannan attheseas

POSSESSIVE sealladhnamara theviewofthesea cunnartnammarannan

thedangeroftheseas

bó(f.)(cow):


SUBJECT/DIRECTOBJECT a’bhó thecow nabà thecows

ADDRESSFORM abhó! Ocow! — —


aiga’bhó(bhoin) atthecow aignabà atthecows

POSSESSIVE ainmnabà thecow’sname àireamhnambó thenumberofthecows

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cù(m.)(dog):


SUBJECT/DIRECTOBJECT ancù thedog nacoin thedogs

ADDRESSFORM achoin! Odog! achona! Odogs!


aiga’chù atthedog aignacoin atthedogs

POSSESSIVE ainma’choin thedog’sname obairnancon theworkofthedogs

Alba(f.):Scotland:

InScotlanditself➾annanAlba,Gàidhlignah-Alba

InNovaScotia–andtraditionally➾annanAlbainn,Gàidhlignah-Albann.

ComparewithÉire(f.):Ireland;➾annanÉirinn,Gàidhlignah-Éireann.ScotlandtendstouseÉirinnforthesubjectform.

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ADDENDUMTOTHEPOSSESSIVE(GENITIVE)CASE

Complexprepositionslikethefollowingexamplestakethepossessive(genitive)caseinGaelic:

Ásdéidh,ásdeoghaidh(after):

ásdéidhSheumais;ásdéidhant-samhraidh;ásdéidhnamàthar

Ásaonais(without):

ásaonaisDhòmhnaill;ásaonaisnancompanach;ásaonaisa’bhalaich

Airfeadh(throughout):

airfeadhant-saoghail;airfeadhnabeinne;airfeadhnadùthcha

Airbeulaibh(infront(of)):

airbeulaibhantaighe;airbeulaibhm’athar

Aircùlaibh(behind):

aircùlaibhant-sabhail;aircùlaibhnacreige

Airson(forthesake(of)):

airsona’ghille;airsonnacaileige;airsonmopheathar

Ammeasg(among,inthemidst(of)):

ammeasgdhaoine;ammeasgant-sluaigh

Adh’ionnsaidh(towards):

adh’ionnsaidhnamara;adh’ionnsaidha’rathaidmhóir

A-réir(accordingto):

a-réirChaluim;a-réircholtais;a-réirmosheanar

Athaobh(concerning):

athaobha’chùrsa;athaobhnaGàidhlig;athaobhdobhràthar

Ritaobh(beside):

ritaobha’ghàraidh;ritaobha’chladaich;ritaobhnah-aibhne

Mudhéidhinn,mudheoghainn(about,onthesubjectof):

mudhéidhinna’bhalaich

Muchoinneimh(opposite):

muchoinneimha’bhùird;muchoinneimhandoruis

Ochionn,bhochionn(since):

bhochionnbhliadhnaichean;bhochionngreiseig

Thar(across):

thara’chuain

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Note : inEnglish,wewouldsay“afterme”,“afteryou”,etc. InGaelic,wemustresorttoapossessiveadjectivephrase:


FIRSTPERSON ásmodhéidh afterme ásardéidh afterus

SECONDPERSON ásdodhéidh afteryou ásurdéidh afteryou

THIRDPERSON(M.) ásadhéidh afterhimásandéidh afterthem

THIRDPERSON(F.) ásadéidh afterher

Noticehowtherulesofthepossessiveadjectiveareobeyed.

Here’sanotherexamplethatonlyworksintheplural:


FIRSTPERSON – – ’narmeasg inourmidst

SECONDPERSON – – ’nurmeasg inyour(pl.)midst

THIRDPERSON(M.) – –’nammeasg intheirmidst

THIRDPERSON(F.) – –

CLEACHDADH

a) RuithIainguluathásdéidhabhràthar.b) Charobhabheanairsondolaira’bhàtaidir(bàta:boat).c) BhaEilidhbheag’nasuidheairglùinah-atharagéisdeachdriSgeula’ChoinGhlice.d) Chaneilmiairsondolannásd’aonais!

e) Bhiodhm’athaira’bleoghannnabàgachmadainn(a’bleoghann:milking).

f) AneGàidhlignah-Albannathathuagionnsachadh?g) Bhruidhinnmirisantidsearathaobhadhartasmomhic(adhartas:progress).

h) Thaantaigh-shamhraidhagamritaobhnamara.

i) Cóbhaaigcoinneimhnammnathananraoir?(coinneamh(f.):meeting)

j) ’SeLochNisainmanlochasin.

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IRREGULARVERBS:THEPASTTENSE

Apartfromthebasicverb“tobe”andthecopula(assertiveverb“tobe”),wehaveonlyTENirregularverbsinGaelic:a’dol(going);a’tighinn(coming);a’ruigsinn(reaching,arrivingat);a’cluinntinn(hearing);agràdh(saying);a’dèanamh(doing,making);a’faicinn(seeing);a’faighinn(finding,receiving,getting);a’breith(bearing–achild),andusingair–a’breithair(catching); a’ toirt (giving, taking, bringing).This last verb is a transactional verb; you willrecognizethemeaningfromthepreposition–do,bho,le–thataccompaniesit.Asonewouldexpect,theseareallfrequently-usedverbs.

a) VerbalNoun:a’dol Root:rach!(inLewisdialects:theirig)

Chaidhmidhachaidh:Iwenthome

Chadeachmiann:Ididn’tgo(init–there)

Andeachthudhanchoinneimh?:Didyougotothemeeting?

Nachdeachthucòmhlarithe?:Didn’tyougowithher?

Chaidh:Yes;Chadeach:No

Thaea’cantainngundeacheann:Hesays(that)hewent.

Thaea’cantainnnachdeacheann:Hesays(that)hedidn’tgo.

b) VerbalNoun:a’tighinn Root:thig!

Thàinigmidhachaidh:Icamehome

Chad’thàinigiaddhanchoinneimh:Theydidn’tcometothemeeting

And’thàinigidhachaidhanraoir?:Didshecomehomelastnight?

Nachd’thàinigambus?:Didn’tthebuscome?

Thàinig:Yes;Chad’thàinig:No

Thaeagràdhgund’thàinigambus:Hesays(that)thebuscame.

Thaeagràdhnachd’thàinigambus:Hesays(that)thebusdidn’tcome.

c) VerbalNoun:a’ruigsinn Root:ruig!

Ràinigmiantaigh:Ireached/arrivedatthehouse.

Chad’ràinigmigudeichuairean:Ididn’tarriveuntil10o’clock.

And’ràinigefhathast?:Didhearriveyet?

Nachd’ràinigiadantaigh?:Didn’ttheyreachthehouse?

Ràinig:Yes;Chad’ràinig:No

BhaIainagràdhgund’ràinigMàiriantaighanmochanraoir:IainwassayingthatMàirireachedthehouse(arrivedhome)latelastnight.

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NachrobhIainagràdhnachd’ràinigMairiantaighfhathast?:Wasn’tIainsayingthatMàirididn’treachthehouse(arrivehome)yet?

d) VerbalNoun:a’cluinntinn Root:cluinn!

Chualamiannaidheachd:Iheardthenews(story).

Chachualamiguth:Ididn’thearaword(literally,“avoice”)

Ancualatucóbh’ann?:Didyouhearwhowasthere?(init)

NachcualasibhgurobhMàiria’tighinndhachaidh?:Didn’tyouhearthatMàiriwascominghome?

Chuala:Yes;Chachuala:No

BhaIainagràdhguncual’eannaidheachdmuthràth:Iainwassaying(that)heheardthenewsalready/earlier.

Cóbhaagràdhnachcual’Iainannaidheachd?:Whowassaying(that)Iaindidn’thearthenews?

Note:afterthefinal-a,tu.

e) VerbalNoun:agràdh Root:abair!

Thuirtminachdochaidilmiglémhath:Isaid(that)Ididn’tsleepverywell.

Chad’thuirtmifacal:Ididn’tsayaword.

And’thuirtesin?:Didhesaythat?

Nachd’thuirtamministearsin?:Didn’ttheministersaythat?

Thuirt:Yes;Chad’thuirt:No

Dh’innisMàiridhomhgund’thuirtIainsin:MàiritoldmethatIainsaidthat.

Thamis’ ag innse dhut nach d’ thuirt Iain sion : I’m telling you that Iain didn’t sayanything.

f) VerbalNoun:a’dèanamh Root:dèan!

Rinnmim’obair:Ididmywork.

Chad’rinnmision:Ididn’tdoanything.

And’rinnthusin?:Didyoudothat?

Nachd’rinnthud’obair?:Didn’tyoudoyourwork?

Rinn:Yes;Chad’rinn:No

Thaea’cantainngund’rinne’obair:Hesays(that)hedidhiswork.

Thaia’cantainnnachd’rinnision:Shesays(that)shedidn’tdoanything.

g) VerbalNoun:a’faicinn Root:faic!

Chunnaicmieandé:Isawhimyesterday.

Chanfhacamieidir:Ididn’tseehimatall.

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Amfacatuefhathast?:Didyouseehimyet?

Nachfhacatuandotair?:Didn’tyouseethedoctor?

Chunnaic:Yes/Chanfhaca:No

Thaeagràdhgumfac’eMàirianraoir:Hesays(that)hesawMàirilastnight.

ThaIainagràdhnachfhac’eMàiriidir:Iainsays(that)hedidn’tseeMàiriatall.

h) VerbalNoun:a’faighinn Root:faigh!

Fhuairmiannaidheachd:Ireceived/gotthenews

Chad’fhuairmianlitir:Ididn’tgettheletter.

And’fhuairthulitirbhodomhàthair?:Didyougetaletterfromyourmother?

Nachd’fhuairthuanlitir?:Didn’tyougettheletter?

Fhuair:Yes;Chad’fhuair:No

Tham’athaira’cantainngund’fhuaireannaidheachd :Myfathersayshegotthenews.

Thamomhàthair a’ cantainn nach d’ fhuair i fios :Mymother says she didn’t getknowledge/word.

Remember fhathast and fhéin –where fh ispronouncedh?Fhuair is the thirdwordwherethisoccurs.

i) VerbalNoun:a’breith Root:beir!

Rugileanabh:Sheboreachild.

Chad’rugianleanabhfhathast:Shedidn’tbearthechildyet➾Shedidn’thavethebabyyet.

And’rugthuaira’bhàla?:Didyoucatchtheball?

Nachd’rugthuaira’bhàla?Didn’tyoucatchtheball?

Rug:Yes;Chad’rug:No

Thaea’cantainngund’rugeoirre:Hesayshecaught(upwith)her.

Thaea’cantainnnachd’rugeorra:Hesayshedidn’tcatch(upwith)them.

j) VerbalNoun:a’toirt Root:thoir!

Thugmidhute:Igaveittoyou;Thugmibhuate:Itookitfromyou;

Thugmileame:Itook/broughtit/himwithme.

Chad’thugmidhute:Ididn’tgiveittoyou.

And’thugmidhute?:DidIgiveittoyou?

Nachd’thugmidhute?:Didn’tIgiveittoyou?

Thug:Yes;Chad’thug:No

Thamiaginnsedhutgund’thugmidhute:I’mtellingyou(that)Igaveittoyou.

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Thaea’cantainnnachd’thugedhute:Hesays(that)hedidn’tgiveittoyou.


ThàinigMòraga-staighairandorusaguschunnaiciAnnaa’nigheadaireachd.

“Thathutrangandiugh!”thuirti.“Thalàbreaghann–bidhant-aodachtioramannanùineghoirid!”

“Bithidh,”fhreagairAnna.“Dèansuidhe–bidhfeumagadaircupatì!”

ChuirAnnaa’choireairagusthugibriosgaideana-machása’phreas.Fhuairibainneagussiùcaraguschuiriaira’bhòrdiad.Thòisicha’choirea’feadalaichagusdhòirtAnnaant-uisgeannsa’phoit.

“Chanithmisionleisantì,”thuirtMòrag.“Thamiagithecusrudanmilis.”

Charobhefadagusanrobhandithis’nansuidheagòltì.

“Déa’sùr?Ancualatunaidheachdsambith?”dh’fhaighnichAnna.

“ChualamigundochaillMurchadhanobairaige–bidhesana’dola-mach‘west’marachaidhiomadhduin’eile”.

“’Sbochdsin!”fhreagairAnna.“Nachmathgubheilanduineagadfhéinagobairah-uilelà!”

“’Smath!”

CEISDEAN

Cóthàiniga-staigh?

Cóbhaannsantaigh?

Débhaia’dèanamh?

Anrobhitrang?

Dé’nseòrsalàabh’ann?

DéthuirtAnna?

DérinnAnna?

DéthuirtMòragnuairathugAnnaa-machnabriosgaidean?

Dé’nnaidheachdachualaMòrag?CiamarafhreagairAnna?

FACLANa'nigheadaireachd:washing(clothes),doingawash preas:cupboard

a'feadalaich:whistling rudanmilis:"sweetthings" andithis:thepair,thetwo(people)

Déa'sùr?:What'snew?(literally,“whatisitthatisnew?”) a'faighneachd:asking

a’call:losing caill!:lose iomadh:manya.....

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IRREGULARVERBS:THEFUTURETENSE

Aswiththepasttenseofirregularverbs,therootwillnotnecessarilyhelpyoutofigureoutthefutureverbforms!However,a’ruigsinn,a’cluinntinn,agràdh,anda’breithdobehaveregularlyinthefuture,allderivingfromtheroot.

a) Rach!Go! Theirig!Go!

Théidmidhanchéilidh:Iwillgototheceilidh.

Chatéidmiann:Iwon’tgo(there/init/toit).

Antéidthucòmhlarium?:Willyougo(along)withme?

Nachtéidthuann?:Won’tyougo?

Théid:Yes;Chatéid:No

Thaea’cantainnguntéideann:Hesays(that)he’llgo.

Thaia’cantainnnachtéidiseann:Shesaysshewon’t(willnot)go.

Có(a)théidann?:Whowillgo?

Càit’antéidthu?:Wherewillyougo?

b) Thig!Come!

ThigMàiridhachaidhannochd:Marywillcomehometonight.

Chatigidhachaidhgusammàireach:Shewon’tcomehomeuntiltomorrow.

Antigthucòmhlarium?:Willyoucomewithme?

Nachtigthu?:Won’tyoucome?

Thig:Yes;Chatig:No

Thaeagràdhguntige:Hesayshe’llcome.

Chaneileagràdhnachtige:Hedoesn’tsayhewon’tcome.

Cuin’athigthu?:Whenwillyoucome?

Carsonnachtigthu?:Whywon’tyoucome?

c) Ruig!Reach!Arrive!

Ruigidhmiammàireach:I’llarrivetomorrow.

Charuigegusanathsheachdain:Hewon’tarriveuntil(the)nextweek.

Anruigthuantaighannochd?:Willyoureach/arriveatthehousetonight?

Nachruigeandiugh?:Won’thearrivetoday?

Ruigidh:Yes;Charuig:No

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Thaeagràdhgunruigeanmoch:Hesayshe’llarrivelate.

Thaeagràdhnachruigegumeadhonoidhche:Hesayshewon’tarriveuntilmidnight.

Cuin’aruigeastu?:Whenwillyouarrive?

Carsonnachruigeandiugh?:Whywon’thearrivetoday?

d) Cluinn!Hear!

Cluinnidhmianceòl:Iwillhearthemusic.

Chachluinnmifacal:Iwon’thearaword.

Ancluinnthumi?:Willyouhearme?

Nachcluinnthuanfhuaim?:Won’tyouhearthenoise?

Cluinnidh:Yes;Chachluinn:No

Thaeagràdhguncluinnemi:Hesayshe’llhearme.

Thaeagràdhnachcluinnemi:Hesayshewon’thearme.

Cóachluinneassinn?:Whowillhearus?

Càit’ancluinnsinnanceòl?:Wherewillwehearthemusic?

e) Abair!Say!

Abraidhmisinrithe:Iwillsaythattoher.

Chanabairmision:Iwon’tsayanything.

Anabairthusinris?:Willyousaythattohim?

Nachabairthuamfacal?:Won’tyousaytheword?

Abraidh:Yes;Chanabair:No

Thaea’cantainngunabairesinrithe:Hesayshe’llsaythattoher.

Thaea’cantainnnachabairesion:Hesayshewon’tsayanything.

Déadh’abrastu?:Whatwillyousay?

Ciamaradh’abrastu“word”annsa’Ghàidhlig?:Howwillyou(doyou)say“word”inGaelic?

Càit’anabairthue?:Wherewillyousayit?

NOTE:thefutureformofa’cantainnisusedinmanydialectsinsteadofthefutureformofagràdh.However,a’cantainnhasnopasttenseforms;sothuirt,etc.arealwaysusedinstead.

f) Dèan!Do!Make!

Nimimodhὶcheall:Iwilldomyutmost/best.

Chadèanmision:Iwon’tdoanything.

Andèanthusindhomh?:Willyoudothatforme?

Nachdèanthusindhomh?:Won’tyoudothatforme?

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Ni:Yes;Chadèan:No

Thaeagràdhgundèanesindhomh:Hesayshe’lldothatforme.

Thaeagràdhnachdèanesiondhomh:Hesayshewon’tdoanythingforme.

Dé(a)nimi?:WhatwillIdo?

Càit’andèanmie?:WherewillIdoit?

g) Faic!See!

Chìmithuammàireach:I’llseeyoutomorrow.

Chanfhaicmithugusammàireach:Iwon’tseeyouuntiltomorrow.

Amfaicmithuannochd?:WillIseeyoutonight?

Nachfhaicmithuaiga’chéilidh?:Won’tIseeyouattheceilidh?

Chì:Yes;Chanfhaic:No

Thaeagràdhgumfaicesinnannsa’chlas:Hesayshewillseeusin(the)class.

Thaeagràdhnachfhaicesinngusannochd:Hesayshewon’tseeusuntiltonight.

Cuin’achìmithu?:WhenwillIseeyou?

Càit’amfaicmithu?:WherewillIseeyou?

h) Faigh!Get!Receive!Find!

Gheibh/Gheobhmianleabhardhut:I’llgetthebookforyou.

Chanfhaighmifois:Iwon’tget/findrest.

Amfaighmilitirbhuat?:WillIget/receivealetterfromyou?

Nachfhaighthusindhomh?:Won’tyougetthatforme?

Gheibh(Gheobh):Yes;Chanfhaigh:No

Thaea’cantainngumfaighefios:Hesayshe’llgetword(knowledge/info).

Thaea’cantainnnachfhaighefois:Hesayshe’llnotfindrest.

Cuin’agheibh(gheobh)militirbhuat?:WhenwillIgetaletterfromyou?

Càit’amfaighmiSeumas?:WherewillIfindJames?

i) Beir!Bear(achild)!Catch!

Beiridhileanabh:Shewillbearachild.

Chabheireort:Hewon’tcatch(upwith)you.

Ambeirthuairsindhomh?:Willyoucatchthatforme?

Nachbeirsinnorra?:Won’twecatch(upwith)them?

Beiridh:Yes;Chabheir:No

Thaeagràdhgumbeireoirnn:Hesayshe’llcatch(upwith)us.

Thaeagràdhnachbeirsinnair:Hesayswewon’tcatchhim.

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Cóabheireasaira’bhàla?:Whowillcatchtheball?

Càit’ambeirianleanabh?:Wherewillshebear(have)thechild?

j) Thoir!Give!Take!Bring!

Bheirmidhute:I’llgiveittoyou.

Chatoirmibhuate:Iwon’ttakeitfromyou.

Antoirmileame?:WillIbringhim/itwithme?

Nachtoirthuleatmi?:Won’tyoutakemewithyou?

Bheir:Yes;Chatoir:No

Thaea’cantainnguntoireleissinn:Hesayshe’lltakeuswithhim.

Thaea’cantainnnachtoirebhuame:Hesayshewon’ttakeitfromme.

Déabheirthudhuinn?:Whatwillyougiveus?

Càit’antoirthusinn?:Wherewillyoutakeus?


BhalàbrèaghannagusbhaEilidhagusCaileana’smaoineachadhairdolairturasannsa’chàr.

Eilidh: Càit’antéidsinn,aChailein?

Cailean: Antoirsinnsgrìobdhana’ChladachaTuathathadhalairarcàirdean?

Eilidh: FónaidhmiagusinnsidhmidoMhàirigubheilsinna’tighinn.Bheirsinnleinnbiadh–nachtéidthudhanghàradhagusfaighglasraich?Càl,curranan,iseile.

Cailean: Nimisin–agusantoirsinnleinnantrosgsàillte?

Eilidh: Bheir.Còrdaidhsinriutha.Antoirmileammochòta?

Cailean: Chaneilmia’creidsinngumbifeumaircòta.Thairobhlàth.

Eilidh: Thathuceart.Siuthad,matha–greasort!

CEISDEAN

a) Dé’nseòrsalàabh’ann?DébhaEilidhagusCaileana’smaoineachadh?

b) DéthuirtEilidh?DéthuirtCailean?

c) DéniEilidh?Débheiriadleotha?

d) Déacheisdabh’aigCailean?AncòrdantrosgriteaghlachMàiri?

e) Carsonnachbifeumaircòta?DéthuirtEilidhriCailean?

f) Antoilleatfhéinabhitha’dolairturasannsa’chàr?

FACLAN

turas:trip sgrìob(f.):jaunt,excursion càl:cabbage curran(an):carrot(s) trosg:cod

glasraich(f.):greens,vegetables sàillte:salted iseile:andother(things),etc.

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IRREGULARVERBS:THECONDITIONALTENSEForSEVENoftheirregularverbs,thistenseisbuiltontherootoftheverb;fora’faicinn,a’faighinn,anda’toirt,thepositiveformisbasedonthefuturetensepositiveformwhiletheancillaryformsreverttobeingbuiltontheroot(seebelow).Aswiththebasicverb‘tobe’,1stpersonformsincludethepronoun.

a) a’dol:going; rach!:go!


FIRSTPERSON Rachainn Iwouldgo (Rachamaid)Rachadhsinn

Wewouldgo

SECONDPERSON Rachadhtu You(thou)wouldgo Rachadhsibh You(all)wouldgo

THIRDPERSON(M.) Rachadhe He/itwouldgoRachadhiad Theywouldgo

THIRDPERSON(F.) Rachadhi She/itwouldgo

Andso:

Charachainn/charachadhtu,e,i,sinn,sibh,iad:I,you,etc.wouldn’tgo.

Anrachainn?/anrachadhtu,e,isinn,sibh,iad?:WouldI,you,etc.go?

Nachrachainn?/nachrachadhtu,e,i,sinn,sibh,iad?:Wouldn’tI,you,etc.go?

Rachadh:Yes;Charachadh:No

…gunrachainn:thatIwouldgo;…gunrachadhtu,etc.

…nachrachainn:thatIwouldn’tgo;…nachrachadhtu,etc.

Also:rachamaid/charachamaid/anrachamaid/nachrachamaid/...gunrachamaid/…nachrachamaid.

Note:intheLewisdialect,theirigisusedinsteadofrach;so,theiriginn,chateiriginn,anteiriginn?,nachteiriginn?…gunteiriginn,…nachteiriginn;theirigeadhtu,etc.

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b) a’tighinn:coming; thig!:come!

Thiginn:Iwouldcome;thigeadhtu,etc.:you,etc.,wouldcome

Chatiginn:Iwouldn’tcome;chatigeadhtu,etc.:you,etc.,wouldn’tcome

Antiginn?:WouldIcome?;antigeadhtu,etc.?:wouldyou,etc.,come?

Nachtiginn?:Wouldn’tIcome?;nachtigeadhtu,etc.?:wouldn’tyou,etc.,come?

Thigeadh:Yes;Chatigeadh:No

…guntiginn:…thatIwouldcome;…guntigeadhtu,etc.

…nachtiginn:…thatIwouldn’tcome;…nachtigeadhtu,etc.

c) a’ruigsinn:reaching/arrivingat; ruig!:reach!

Ruiginn:Iwouldreach;ruigeadhtu,etc.:you,etc.,wouldreach

Charuiginn:Iwouldn’treach;charuigeadhtu,etc.:you,etc.,wouldn’treach

Anruiginn?:WouldIreach?;anruigeadhtu,etc.?:wouldyou,etc.,reach?

Nachruiginn?:Wouldn’tIreach?;nachruigeadhtu,etc.?:wouldn’tyou,etc.,reach?

Ruigeadh:Yes/Charuigeadh:No

…gunruiginn:…thatIwouldreach;…gunruigeadhtu,etc.

…nachruiginn:…thatIwouldn’treach;…nachruigeadhtu,etc.

Cleachdadh

i. RuiginnanAbhainnMheadhonachtràth’sanfheasgar.

ii. Charuigeadheantaighguanmoch.

iii. Anruigeadhtusinsìosdhomh?Ruigeadh.

iv. NachruigeadhsibhanAbhainnaTuathfeasgar?v. Thaea’cantainngunruigeamaidmastigeadhanoidhche.

vi. Bhaea’cantainngunruigeadh iaddhachaidhannochdnanrobhsìdemhathann.

vii. Ruigeadhiaddhachaidhannochdmurrobhdrochshìd’ann.

d) a’cluinntinn:hearing; cluinn!:hear!

Chluinninn:Iwouldhear;chluinneadhtu,e,i,sinn,sibh,iad

Chachluinninn:Iwouldn’thear;chachluinneadhtu,e,i,sinn,sibh,iad

Ancluinninn?:WouldIhear?;ancluinneadhtu,e,i,sinn,sibh,iad?

Nachcluinninn?:Wouldn’tIhear?;nachcluinneadhtu,e,i,sinn,sibh,iad?

Chluinneadh:Yes;Chachluinneadh:No

…guncluinninn:…thatIwouldhear;…guncluinneadhtu,e,i,sinn,sibh,iad

…nachcluinninn:…thatIwouldn’thear;…nachcluinneadhtu,e,i,sinn,sibh,iad

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e) agràdh:saying; abair!:say!

Dh’abrainn:Iwouldsay;dh’abradhtu,e,i,sinn,sibh,iad

Chanabrainn:Iwouldn’tsay;chanabradhtu,e,i,sinn,sibh,iad

Anabrainn?:WouldIsay?;anabradhtu,tu,e,i,sinn,sibh,iad?

Nachabrainn?:Wouldn’tIsay?;nachabradhtu,e,i,sinn,sibh,iad?

Dh’abradh:Yes;Chanabradh:No

…gunabrainn:…thatIwouldsay;…gunabradhtu,e,i,sinn,sibh,iad

…nachabrainn:…thatIwouldn’tsay;……nachabradhtu,e,i,sinn,sibh,iad

f) a’dèanamh:doing/making; dèan!:do/make!

Dhèanainn:Iwoulddo;dhèanadhtu,e,i,sinn,sibh,iad

Chadèanainn:Iwouldn’tdo;chadèanadhtu,e,i,sinn,sibh,iad

Andèanainn?:WouldIdo?;andèanadhtu,e,i,sinn,sibh,iad?

Nachdèanainn?:Wouldn’tIdo?;nachdèanadhtu,e,i,sinn,sibh,iad?

Dhèanadh:Yes;Chadèanadh:No

…gundèanainn:…thatIwoulddo;…gundèanadhtu,e,i,sinn,sibh,iad

…nachdèanadh:…thatIwouldn’tdo;…nachdèanadhtu,e,i,sinn,sibh,iad

g) a’faicinn:seeing; faic!:see!

Chìthinn:Iwouldsee;chìtheadhtu,e,i,sinn,sibh,iad

Chanfhaicinn:Iwouldn’tsee;chanfhaiceadhtu,e,i,sinn,sibh,iad

Amfaicinn?:WouldIsee?;amfaiceadhtu,e,i,sinn,sibh,iad?

Nachfhaicinn?:Wouldn’tIsee?;nachfhaiceadhtu,e,i,sinn,sibh,iad

Chìtheadh:Yes;Chanfhaiceadh:No

…gumfaicinn:…thatIwouldsee;…gumfaiceadhtu,e,i,sinn,sibh,iad

…nachfhaicinn:…thatIwouldn’tsee;…nachfhaiceadhtu,e,i,sinn,sibh,iad

h) a’faighinn:getting/receiving/finding; faigh!:get!/receive!/find!

Gheibhinn/gheobhainn:Iwouldget;gheibheadh/gheobhadhtu,e,i,sinn,sibh,iad

Chanfhaighinn:Iwouldn’tget;chanfhaigheadhtu,e,i,sinn,sibh,iad

Amfaighinn?:WouldIget?;amfaigheadhtu,e,i,sinn,sibh,iad?

Nachfhaighinn?:Wouldn’tIget?;nachfhaigheadhtu,e,i,sinn,sibh,iad

Gheibheadh/Gheobhadh:Yes;Chanfhaigheadh:No

…gumfaighinn:…thatIwouldget;…gumfaigheadhtu,e,i,sinn,sibh,iad

…nachfhaighinn:…thatIwouldn’tget;…nachfhaigheadhtu,e,i,sinn,sibh,iad

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i) a’breith:bearing; beir!:bear(achild)!(withairitmeanscatching/catch!)

Bheirinn:Iwouldbear;bheireadhtu,e,i,sinn,sibh,iad

Chabheirinn:Iwouldn’tbear;chabheireadhtu,e,i,sinn,sibh,iad

Ambeirinn?:WouldIbear?;ambeireadhtu,e,i,sinn,sibh,iad?

Nachbeirinn?:Wouldn’tIbear?;nachbeireadhtu,e,i,sinn,sibh,iad?

Bheireadh:Yes;Chabheireadh:No

…gumbeirinn:…thatIwouldbear;…gumbeireadhtu,e,i,sinn,sibh,iad

…nachbeirinn:…thatIwouldn’tbear;…nachbeireadhtu,e,i,sinn,sibh,iad

j) a’toirt:giving/taking/bringing; thoir!:give!/take!/bring!

Bheirinn:Iwouldgive/take/bring;bheireadhtu,e,i,sinn,sibh,iad

Chatoirinn:Iwouldn’tgive,etc.;chatoireadhtu,e,i,sinn,sibh,iad

Antoirinn?:WouldIgive?etc.;antoireadhtu,e,i,sinn,sibh,iad?

Nachtoirinn?:Wouldn’tIgive,etc.;nachtoireadhtu,e,i,sinn,sibh,iad?

Bheireadh:Yes;Chatoireadh:No

…guntoirinn:…thatIwouldgive,etc.;…guntoireadhtu,e,i,sinn,sibh,iad

…nachtoirinn:…thatIwouldn’tgive,etc.;…nachtoireadhtu,e,i,sinn,sibh,iad

TWOINCOMPLETEVERBS:MAY,MUST

These verbs are sometimes called “defective”; however, it’s better to think of them as“incomplete” since theyareonly available in imperative (root) and futureand conditionalforms.

Future:

a) faod!:may!

Faodaidhmi,tu,e,i,sinn,sibh,iad:I,you,he/it,she/it,we,you(pl.),theymay

Chanfhaodmi,thu,etc:I,you,etc.,maynot

Amfaodmi,thu,etc.?:MayI,you,etc.?

Nachfhaodmi,thu,etc.?:MayI,you,etc.,not?

Faodaidh:Yes;Chanfhaod:No

…gumfaodmi,thu,etc.:…thatI,you,etc.,may

…nachfhaodmi,thu,etc.:…thatI,you,etc.,maynot

Amfaodmisuidheanseo?Faodaidh.MayIsithere?Yes.

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b) feum!:must!

Feumaidhmi,tu,e,i,sinn,sibh,iad:I,you,he/itshe/it,we,you(pl.),theymust/needto

Chanfheummi,thu,etc.:I,you,etc.,mustn’t

Amfeummi,thu,etc.?:MustI,you,etc.?

Nachfheummi,thu,etc.?:Mustn’tI,you,etc.?

Feumaidh:Yes;Chanfheum:No

…gumfeummi,thu,etc.:…thatI,you,etc.,must

…nachfheummi,thu,etc.:…thatI,you,etc.,mustn’t

Feumaidhmifalbh:Imustgo

Conditional:

a) faod!:may!

Dh’fhaodainn:Imight;dh’fhaodadhtu,e,i,sinn,sibh,iad:you,etc.,might

Chan fhaodainn : I might not (use for English “I would not be permitted”); chanfhaodadhtu,e,i,sinn,sibh,iad:you,etc.,mightnot

Amfaodainn?:MightI?;amfaodadhtu,e,i,sinn,sibh,iad?:mightyou,etc.?

Nachfhaodainn?:MightInot?;nachfhaodadhtu,e,i,sinn,sibh,iad?:mightyou,etc.,not?

Dh’fhaodadh:Yes;Chanfhaodadh:No

…gumfaodainn:…thatImight;…gumfaodadhtu,e,i,sinn,sibh,iad:thatyou,etc.,might

…nachfhaodainn:…thatImightnot;…nachfhaodadhtu,e,i,sinn,sibh,iad:thatyou,etc.,mightnot

b) feum!:must!

Dh’fheumainn:Iwouldneedto;dh’fheumadhtu,e,i,sinn,sibh,iad:you,etc.,wouldneedto

Chanfheumainn:Iwouldn’tneedto;chanfheumadhtu,e,i,sinn,sibh,iad:you,etc.,wouldn’tneedto

Amfeumainn?:WouldIneedto?;amfeumadhtu,e,i,sinn,sibh,iad?:wouldyou,etc.,needto?

Nach fheumainn? :Wouldn’t I need to?;nach fheumadh tu, e, i, sinn, sibh, iad? :Wouldn’tyou,etc.,needto?

Dh’fheumadh:Yes;Chanfheumadh:No

…gumfeumainn:…thatIwouldneedto;…gumfeumadhtu,e,i,sinn,sibh,iad:…thatyou,etc.,wouldneedto

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…nachfheumainn:…thatIwouldn’tneedto;…nachfheumadhtu,e,i,sinn,sibh,iad:…thatyou,etc.,wouldn’tneedto


Anna: Déadhèanadhtu,aSheumais,nanrobhairgeadguleòragad?

Seumas:Bheirinndhut-fhéine!

Anna: Och–anfhìrinna-nis.Déadhèanadhtu?

Seumas:Uell,rachainnairturasdhant-seanndùthaich–tìrmoshinnsearan.

Anna: Antoireadhtumisecòmhlariut?

Seumas:Bheireadhgucinnteach!

Anna: Agusdé–nocó–achìtheadhsinna’sin,aSheumais?

Seumas:Nan rachadhsinndhanEileanSgitheanach, thamicinnteachgumfaiceadhsinncàirdeanann–agusAnCuilthionn,beanntanbrèagha,àrd’aneilein.

Anna: Smaoinich! Agus bhiodh sinn a’ bruidhinn na Gaidhlig ri a chéile, nachbitheadh?

Seumas:Bhitheadh,gudearbh!GheobhadhsinncàrairaneileanagusrachamaidairanaiseigdhaNaHearadh–agusanuairsin,aLeódhas….Anna’Steòrnabhagh,chìtheadhsinnancaisteal.

Anna: Cuin’adh’fhaodadhsinnfalbh?

Seumas:Nuairabhiosairgeadguleòragainn,aghràidh!

FACLANfìrinn,f.:truth tìr:land sinnsear:ancestor Ant-EileanSgitheanach:theIsleofSkye

cinnteach:sure,certain AnCuilthionn:TheCuillins smaoinich!:think!imagine!

achéile:eachother aiseag,f.:ferry NaHearadh:Harris Leódhas:(Isleof)Lewis

Steòrnabhagh:Stornoway


THEPASSIVEVOICE:REGULARVERBSBasic–butmoreformal/lesserused,passiveformsofregularverbs:

PASTPASSIVE:add-(e)adhtopositivepastform.Forexample:

Thòisicheadhanobair(Theworkwasbegun);chadothòisicheadhanobairguanmoch(theworkwasn’tbegununtillate);andothòisicheadhanobairfhathast?(wastheworkbegunyet?);nachdothòisicheadhanobairfhathast?:(wasn’ttheworkstartedyet?);

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chualamigundothòisicheadhanobair(Iheardtheworkwasstarted);chualaminachdothòisicheadhanobairfhathast(Iheardtheworkwasn’tstartedyet)

Thòisicheadh:Yes;Chadothòisicheadh:No

FUTUREPASSIVE:add-(e)artotherootoftheverb.Forexample:

Tòisichearanobairammàireach(theworkwillbestartedtomorrow);chatòisichearanobairgusammàireach(theworkwon’tbestarteduntiltomorrow);antòisichearanobairandiugh?(willtheworkbestartedtoday?);nachtòisichearanobairandiugh?(won’t the work be started today?); tha e a’ cantainn gun tòisichear an obair anceartuair (he says that the work will be started shortly); tha e a’ cantainn nachtòisichearanobairgusanathsheachdain(hesaysthattheworkwon’tbestarteduntilnextweek)

Tòisichear:Yes;Chatòisichear:No

CONDITIONALPASSIVE:add-t(e)adhtopositivepastform;actually,the-adhgetsdropped.Forexample:

Chuirteanlitir(the letterwouldbesent);chachuirteanlitir (the letterwouldn’tbesent);ancuirteanlitir?(wouldtheletterbesent?);nachcuirteanlitir?(wouldn’ttheletterbesent?);thuirteguncuirteanlitir(hesaidtheletterwouldbesent);thuirtenachcuirteanlitir(hesaidtheletterwouldn’tbesent)

Chuirte:Yes;Chachuirte:No


THEPASSIVEVOICE:IRREGULARVERBSBasicpassiveformsofirregularverbs;

Notea’dolanda’tighinndonothavetheseforms:

PASTPASSIVE:

a’ruigsinn:

Ràinigeadh/Chad’ràinigeadh,etc.:wasreached/wasn’treached,etc.

Ràinigeadhantaighaigmeadhonoidhche(Thehousewasreachedatmidnight)

a’cluinntinn:

Chualas/Cha(do)chualas,etc.:washeard/wasn’theard

Chualas an fhuaimair feadhan taighe (The sound/noisewasheard throughout thehouse)

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a’faicinn:

Chunnacas/Chanfhacas/Amfacas?/Nachfhacas?:wasseen/wasn’tseen/wasseen?etc.

Amfacasantaibhs’annsa’chladh?(Wastheghostseeninthegraveyard?)

a’dèanamh:

Rinneadh/Chad’rinneadh,etc.:wasdone/wasn’tdone,etc.

Rinneadha’chùis/angnothachair!(literally“thematterwasdoneonhim”–Hewasdefeated)

a’faighinn:

Fhuaras,Fhuaradh/Chad’fhuaradh:wasreceived,found/wasn’treceived,etc.

FhuarasannaidheachdbhoMhàiri(ThenewswasreceivedfromMary)

agràdh:

Thuirteadh/Chad’thuirteadh:wassaid/wasn’tsaid,etc.

Thuirteadhrudannachbuchòir(Thingsweresaidthatweren’tright/just)

a’breith:

Rugadh/chad’rugadh:wasborn/wasn’tborn,etc.

Rugadheannsa’PhonMhór(HewasborninBigPond)

a’toirt:

Thugadh/Chad’thugadh:wastaken,given,brought/wasn’ttaken,etc.

Thugadhcomhairledhomh(Advicewasgiventome–Iwasgivenadvice)

FUTUREPASSIVE:

a’ruigsinn:

Ruigear/Charuigear:willbereached/won’tbereached,etc.

Charuigearambailegusannochd(Thetownwon’tbereacheduntiltonight)

a’cluinntinn:

Cluinnear/Chachluinnear:willbeheard/won’tbeheard,etc.

Cluinnearanùpraid(Theuproarwillbeheard)

a’faicinn:

Chìthear/Chanfhaicear:willbeseen/won’tbeseen,etc.

Chìthearchofurasda’sathae((It)willbeseenhoweasyitis)

a’dèanamh:

Nìthear/Chadèanar:willbedone/won’tbedone,etc.

Chadèanarsinachaoidh(Thatwon’teverbedone/thatwillneverbedone)

a’faighinn:

Gheibhear,Gheobhar/Chanfhaighear:willbereceived,found/won’tbefound,etc.

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Gheobharfàilt’aigantaighsin(Awelcomewillbereceivedatthathouse)

agràdh:

Theirear/Chanabairear:willbesaid/won’tbesaid,etc.

Theirearm’adhéidhinngureduineglicath’ann(Itwillbe(it’s)saidabouthimthathe’sawiseman)

a’breith:

Beirear/Chabheirear:willbeborn,caught/won’tbeborn,caught,etc.

Beirearaira’bhàlaleIain(TheballwillbecaughtbyIain)

a’toirt:

Bheirear/Chatoirear:willbetaken,given,brought/won’tbetaken,etc.

Antoirearsinbhuam?(Willthatbetakenfromme?)

CONDITIONALPASSIVE:

a’ruigsinn:

Ruigte/Charuigte:wouldbereached/wouldn’tbereached

Charuigtenah-amasanacagunoidhirpmhór(Theiraimswouldn’tbereachedwithoutgreateffort)

a’cluinntinn:

Chluinnte/Chachluinnte:wouldbeheard/wouldn’tbeheard

Chluinntea’chlannairfeadhanàite(Thechildrenwould/couldbeheardallovertheplace)

a’faicinn:

Chìte/Chanfhaicte:wouldbeseen/wouldn’tbeseen

Chanfhaictesionannsandorchadas(Nothingwould/couldbeseeninthedarkness–anythingwouldn’tbeseen…)

a’dèanamh:

Dhèanta/Chadèanta:wouldbedone/wouldn’tbedone

Chadèantadaddhent-seòrsasinleothasan!(Nothingofthatkindwouldbedonebythem!–anythingofthatkindwouldn’tbedone...)

a’faighinn:

Gheibhte/Chanfhaighte:wouldbefound/received/wouldn’tbefound/received

Gheibhte tiodhlacan (prèasantan) aig àm na Nollaig (Gifts would be received atChristmastime)

agràdh:

Theirte/Chanabairte:wouldbesaid/wouldn’tbesaid

Chanabairtesinleduinemodhail!(Thatwouldn’tbesaidbyapoliteperson!)

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a’breith:

Bheirte/Chabheirte:wouldbeborn/wouldn’tbeborn

Bheirte Ìosa anna’ stàball ammeasgnambeathaichean (Jesuswouldbeborn in astableamongsttheanimals)

a’toirt:

Bheirte/Chatoirte:wouldbegiven,taken,brought/wouldn’tbegiven,taken,brought

Chatoirtebhuaitheachliù(Hisfame(goodname)wouldn’tbetakenfromhim)

CLEACHDADH

a) RugadhAileanannanAlbainnachthogadheannanAlbainnNuaidh.b) Ancuirearanlitirthuigecholuath’sasurrainn?c) DheasaicheadhandinnearlemàthairChoinnich.

d) Chluinntefuaimnapìobaairfeadha’bhaile.

e) Chad’fhuarasannaidheachdguanmoch.

f) ChualamiguntoirteduaisdoDhòmhnall(duais(f.):prize/award).

g) GheobharfiosbhoChalumnuairathillease(fios:knowledge/information;a’tilleadh:returning).

h) Nachd’rugadhcuideachddomhàtharannanÉirinn?(cuideachd(f.):company,people)

i) Chadèanarsinleisesan.j) Ràinigeadhmullachnabeinnemudheireadhthall(mullach:top/summit).


ALTERNATIVE“PASSIVE”FORMSWITHA’DOL

Thesestructureswitha’dolarecommonlyusedandessentiallyrenderthepassiveasactive:

a) Chaidhadhèanamh(literally,“Itsdoingwent”–itsdoinghappened–itwasdone)

Chadeachabhreithgusanathlà(Hisbirthingdidn’thappenuntilthenextday–Hewasn’tbornuntilthenextday)

Andeachinnsedha?(literally,“Didtellingtohimhappen?”–Washetold?)

Nachdeachathoirtbhuaithe?(Wasn’tittakenfromhim?)

Théidinnsedhi(literally,“Tellingtoherwillhappen”–Shewillbetold)

Chatéidaràdh((It)willnotbesaid)

Rachadh(theirigeadh)adheasachadhguluath(Itwouldbepreparedquickly)

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Anrachadhadhùnadh?(Wouldit/coulditbeclosed?)

b) Nowthrowanounphraseintothemix:

Wemaintainthefixedphrasesadhèanamh,abhreith(“itsdoing”,“itsbirthing”),etc.Itmakesnodifferenceiftheprecedingnounismasculineorfeminineinthisconstruction.

Chaidhanobairadhèanamh;chadeachanleanabhabhreithgusanathlà;andeachannaidheachdinnsedha?;nachdeachant-airgeadathoirtbhuaithe?;théidansgeulinnsedhi;chatéidgutharàdh;rachadhambiadhadheasachadhguluath;anrachadhanuinneagadhùnadh?

c) Nowsupposingthenounisomitted–andthatnounreferredtointhecontextisfeminine–asarethesenounsused inexamplesabove:obair,naidheachd,uinneag;whenyourefertoanounusingapersonalpronoun,itmustagreeincaseandgender.Soifthenounis feminine, you must refer to it as “she”. In Gaelic (and most other Indo-Europeanlanguages),languages,nations,land,andwordsaboutnature(weather,sea,wind,etc.)arefeminine.ThisisstillquitecommoninNovaScotiawhereEnglishisspokenwithGaelicgrammaticaltraits.Forexample,“She’swarm”meaningthattheweatheriswarm;thegenderof“weather”inGaelicisfeminine,sothere’saninclinationtosay“she”andnot“it”.Withthisismind,herearesomeexamples:

Chaidhadèanamh(literally,“Herdoingoccurred”;“her”referstoobair,butitmeans“itwasdone”).

Andeachah-innsedhi? (literally, “Was she (naidheachd, thenews) told toher?”–meaningwasit(thenews)toldtoher?Wasshetoldthenews?)

Anrachadhadùnadh?(Would/Couldshe/it(uinneag,thewindow)beclosed?)

CLEACHDADH

NOW–byusing theappropriate formsof theverba’dol, transform the sentences in thepracticesectionattheendofSeallagan43!


MODALS

ModalverbphrasesinGaelicareauxiliary(helping)structureswhichalsoobeytheaboverulesofbehaviour.Modalsexpressability(can,can’t),obligation(should,ought),customaryaction(Iusually;Iusedto…)possibility,andpermission(may,might),orobligation(must,haveto,needto).

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Herearesomeexamples:

a) Presenttense–can,can’t:’Surrainndhomh/Chanurrainndhomh/Anurrainndhut?etc.

’Surrainndhomhadhèanamh(itsdoingispossibleforme–Icandoit).Noticethat“itsdoing”=“doingit”andisthesubjectoftheGaelicsentence.SoyouhavetogetusedtothinkinginadifferentwordorderfromthatusedinEnglish;thewordorderisactually,“Ispossibleformeitsdoing”.

Now add the nominal which indicates what the person can do; please note that adhèanamhisnotaninfinitiveformbutmeans“itsdoing”asinthepreviousexample.

‘Surrainndhomhanobairadhèanamh(Icandothework–literally,“ispossibleformetheworkitsdoing”)

b) Past/conditionaltense–could,couldn’t:b’urrainndhomh/chab’urrainndhomh/amb’urrainndhut?etc.

Amb’urrainndhutsinadhèanamhdhomh?(Couldyoudothatforme?)

c) Presenttense–isright,should:’Scòirdhomh/Chachòirdhomh/Ancòirdhut,etc.

’Scòirdhaantaighathogailannsa’bhaile(Isrightforhimthehouseitsbuildinginthetown–Heshouldbuildthehouseintown)

d) Past/conditional tense –was/would be right, ought :Bu chòir dhomh / cha bu chòirdhomh/Ambuchòirdhut?,etc.

Buchòirdhiant-òranaghabhail(Sheoughttosingthesong)

e) Presenttense–(I)usually…:’Sàbhaistdhomh/Chanàbhaistdhomh/Anàbhaistdhut?etc.

’Sàbhaistdhomhdinnearaghabhailtràth(literally,“iscustomformedinneritstakingearly””➾Iusuallyhavedinnerearly)

f) Past/conditionaltense–(I)usedto…:B’àbhaistdhomh/Chab’àbhaistdhomh/Amb’àbhaistdhut?etc.

B’àbhaistdhomhfìon’òl(literally,“wascustomformewineitsdrinking””➾Iusedtodrinkwine).

g) Futuretense–may(withpresenttenseimplication):Faodaidhmi/chanfhaodmi/amfaodmi?etc.

Amfaodmiancòt’agam’fhàgailanseo?(MayIleavemycoathere?)

h) Conditionaltense–might:dh’fhaodainn/chanfhaodainn/amfaodainn?etc.Noticehowthe2ndpersonthu➾tu:dh’fhaodadhtu/chanfhaodadhtu/amfaodadhtu?etc.

Dh’ fhaodainnsinadhèanamhdhut (Imight (usually translated“could”)dothat foryou)

Amfaodadheanuinneag’fhosgladh?(Mightheopenthewindow?)

i) Futuretense–must,haveto,needto:feumaidhmi/chanfheummi/amfeummi?,etc.

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Amfeummiseo’ionnsachadh?(MustIlearnthis?)

j) Conditional tense – must, have to, need to : dh’fheumainn / chan fheumainn / amfeumainn?etc.Also:dh’fheumadhtu/chanfheumadhtu/amfeumadhtu?etc.

Amfeumainnlitirasgrìobhadh?(WouldIneedtowritealetter?)

Nachfheumadhiadbiadhadheasachadh?(Wouldn’ttheyneedtopreparefood?)

Analternativewayofhandlingnecessityiswiththa/bha/bidh/bhiodh–agam/agad,etc.+ri:

Bidhaigerisachùrsasinaleantainn(Hewillhavetofollowthatcourse)

Note:addthestructureair/ásdéidh–dhomh/dhut/dha/dhi/dhuinn/dhaibh+theverbalnounphrase(airderivesfromiar➾after):

Airdhomhadhèanamh/ásdéidhdhomhadhèanamh(“Afterformeitsdoing”➾after(my)doingit–afterIdidit,I…)

Air/ásdéidhdhaanobairachrìochnachadh(“Afterforhimtheworkitsfinishing”➾after(his)finishingthework–afterhefinishedthework,he…)

Noticehowthefollowingprincipalclausehasthesamesubjectasintheprecedingphrase.

CLEACHDADH

a) Chanfheumdhutanobairsinadhèanamhandràsda.

b) B’àbhaistdhuinnadholgutaighmosheanarah-uilesamhradh.

c) Ambuchòirdhutannaidheachd’innsedhi?

d) Nachfheumadhtusgrìobhadhthuca?

e) Dh’fhaodainnlitirachurairdoshon.f) ’Scòirdhomhbruidhinnris.

g) Anurrainndhutseo’fhosgladhdhomh?

h) Àsdéidhdhuinnsuidhe,chaidhbiadhathoirtdhanah-uileduine.i) Carsonabh’agadrifalbh?j) Chanfhaodthusinadhèanamhidir!


THECARDINALNUMBERS:TRADITIONALGaelicnumbersworkintensandtwenties.ThisistraditionalalloverEuropeastwentyisaboutthesizeofaherdofcattleorsheep.ThiswasdoneinEnglish-speakinglandsaswellwhereshepherdswould count large flocksby twentyand then scorea stick (tally) tokeep track.

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Hence theword “score” in Englishmeans “twenty”. Technically, it’s called a vigesimalismsystem.You’llseethisinamomentwhentheexpressionfor“forty”is“twotwenties”.

a) Counting:

ah-aon,adhà,atrì,aceithir,acóig,asia,aseachd,ah-ochd,anaoi,adeich,ah-aondeug,adhàdheug,atrìdeug,aceithirdeug,acóigdeug,asiadeug,aseachddeug,ah-ochddeug,anaoideug,afichead.

Note:neoini=zero.

b) Usedadjectivally:aon➾one,dà➾two,trì➾three,etc.

i. One:aonbhliadhna,aonchat,aonfhacal,aonghàradh,aonmhìos,aonphutan

But:

aondorus,aontaigh,aonseòmar–and,ofcourse,aonlide,aonrìgh,aonnead

ii. Two:Dàlenitesaswell,butdoesnotpluralize.It’saremnantoftheolddualthatexistedinOldIrish,OldEnglish,andotherIndo-Europeanlanguagesandactuallytakesthedativecase.However, this isonlyobvious in the femininedative; forexample,dàlàimh,dàchois.Sowehave:

dàbhliadhna,dàchat,dàfhacal,dàdhorus,dàthaigh,dàsheòmar,etc.

iii. Threetoten:trì,ceithir,cóig,sia,seachd,ochd,naoi(naodh),deich:withpluralswehavesuchthingsastrìsgadain,ceithirleabhraichean,etc.

iv. Eleventotwenty:aon-deug, dà-dheug, trì-deug, ceithir-deug, cóig-deug, sia-deug, seachd-deug,ochd-deug,naoi-deug,fichead

Usedadjectivally:

aonbhliadhnadeug,dàbhliadhnadheug,trìbliadhnadeug,etc.

fichead : alongwith large numbers ceud (hundred) andmìle (thousand), ficheadtakesa singularnoun. Forexample, ficheadbliadhna.Dusan (dozen)also takesasingularnoun.

v. Twenty-onetothirty:

Traditionally:

aonairfhichead,adhàairfhichead,trìairfhichead,…deichairfhichead

Usedadjectivally:

aon bhliadhna fichead, dà bhliadhna fichead, trì bliadhna fichead, …deichbliadhnafichead

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Commontoday:

fichead’sah-aon,fichead’sadhà,fichead’satrì,…fichead’sadeich

Usedadjectivally:

ficheadbliadhna ’sah-aon, ficheadbliadhna ’sadhà,…ficheadbliadhna ’sadeich

vi. Thirty-onetoforty:aon-deugairfhichead,dà-dheugairfhichead,trì-deugairfhichead,…dàfhichead

Usedadjectivally:

aonbhliadhnadeugairfhichead,dàbhliadhnadheugairfhichead,…dàfhicheadbliadhna

vii. Forty-onetofifty:dàfhichead’sah-aon,dàfhichead’sadhà,dàfhichead’satrì,…dàfhichead’sadeichnoleth-cheud

Usedadjectivally:

dà fhicheadbliadhna ’sah-aon,…dà fhicheadbliadhna ’sadeich/leth-cheudbliadhna

viii. Fifty-onetosixty:dàfhichead’sah-aon-deug/leth-cheud’sah-aon,…trìfichead

Usedadjectivally:

dà fhichead bliadhna ’s a h-aon-deug / leth-cheud bliadhna ’s a h-aon, …trìficheadbliadhna

ix. Sixty-onetoseventy:trìfichead’sah-aon,trìfichead’sadhà,…trìfichead’sadeich

Usedadjectivally:

trìficheadbliadhna’sah-aon,…trìficheadbliadhna’sadeich

x. Seventy-onetoeighty:trìfichead’sah-aondeug,trìfichead’sadhàdheug,…ceithirfichead

Usedadjectivally:

trìficheadbliadhna’sah-aon-deug,…ceithirficheadbliadhna

xi. Eighty-onetoninety:ceithirfichead’sah-aon,ceithirfichead’sadhà,…ceithirfichead’sadeich

Usedadjectivally:

ceithirficheadbliadhna’sah-aon,…ceithirficheadbliadhna’sadeich

xii. Ninety-onetoahundred:ceithirfichead’sah-aon-deug,ceithirfichead’sadhà-dheug,…ceud(ciad)

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Usedadjectivally:

ceithirficheadbliadhna’sah-aon-deug,…ceudbliadhna

Note:exampleofusinglargenumbers:

ceudbliadhnatrìfichead’sacóig:165years

mìle:thousand;millean:million;billean:billion

c) InScotland:

AccordingtoDwelly’sIllustratedGaelictoEnglishDictionary:trithead/triochad(thirty);ceathrad (forty);caogad (fifty); seasgad (sixty);seachdad (seventy);ochdad (eighty);naochad(ninety).


THEORDINALNUMBERS:TRADITIONALOrdinalnumbersgivethepositionofthingsinaseries.

First:

anciadfhear(thefirstman),a’chiadbhean(thefirstwoman–seeDwelly’sDictionary).

Usuallytoday,onewritesa’chiadwhetherthefollowingnounismasculineorfeminine.

Likeaon,ciadlenitesthefollowingconsonantunlessit’sd,t,s;forexample,a’chiadtaigh.

SecondtoTenth,withFollowingMasculineNouns:

Whenanumberisfollowedbyamasculinenoun,thereisnofollowinglenition.

an dàrna/ dara : the second; an treas : the third; an ceathramh : the fourth; ancóigeamh:thefifth;ansiathamh;thesixth;anseachdamh:theseventh;ant-ochdamh:theeighth;annaoidheamh:theninth;andeicheamh:thetenth

Also,andara*fear(thesecondman);ant-ochdamhmìos(theeighthmonth)

SecondtoTenth,withFollowingFeminineNouns:

ceathramh/cóigeamh/siathamh/seachdamh/ochdamhareaffectedwhenprecedingafemininenoun:

a’ cheathramh bliadhna, a’ chóigeamh seachdain, an t-siathamh nighean, an t-seachdamhbeinn,anochdamhcaora(inthiscase,thet-isomitted)

Higherordinals:

Higherordinalsfollowthepatternyouwouldexpect:

a’chiadfheardeug;amficheadamhduine;antreaslàfichead;anceathramhlàdeugairfhichead…

*Formoreondara,seeDwelly’sDictionaryundercuid.

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THEWATCH,TIMEPIECE:THECLOCKHereweusetheinformationabovetotellthetime.Let’sstartwithsomecommonwordsandexpressionstotellthetime:

THEHOURS:

TELLINGTHETIME:

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CLEACHDADH

a) Feumaidhmiabhithannaigleth-uairásdéidhochd.

b) Tòisichidha’choinneamhanna’cóigmionaidean.

c) Thigmi’gadiarraidhaigmeadhonlatha.

d) Thuirteriumgumbiodha’chéilidhseachadanna’cairtealnah-uarach.

e) Dé’nuairabhaenuairadh’fhalbhiad?

FACLAN

Dé’nuairathae?:Whattime(hour)isit? Namionaidean:theminutes

Nah-uairean:Thehours uair,-ean(f.):(an)hour mionaid,-ean(f.):minute(s)

meadhonlatha:noon,mid-day cairteal:quarter uair-a-thìde(f.):hour(oftime)

meadhonoidhch’:midnight leth-uair(f.):ahalfhour ásdéidh,andéidh:after,past

uairguleth:anhourandahalf cairtealnah-uarach:quarterofanhour


SUBORDINATECLAUSES

RELATIVECLAUSES:

Relativeclauseshavethreemaingroups:

TypeA

a. Therelativepronouna (who,whom, that,which)+PositiveStatement (Independent)formofverb:

Sinanduinearinne(That’sthemanwhodidit)

b. ln the dative, a gives way to the preposition followed by the Positive Question(Dependent)formoftheverb:

Sinanduineleisanrobhmi’falbh(“That’sthemanwithwhomIwasgoing(out)”➾That’sthemanIwasgoingoutwith)

Sinduineaigabheilanguth!(“That’samanatwhomisthevoice”➾That’samanwhohas(agood)voice)

TypeB

a. Nach+NegativeQuestionformoftheverb:

Sinanduinenachdeachann(That’sthemanwhodidn’tgo)

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b. HereisanexampleintheDativecase:

Sinanduinerisnacheilmi’bruidhinn(“That’sthemantowhomI’mnotspeaking”➾That’sthemanl’mnotspeakingto)

TypeC

a. Na(what,allthat,thatwhich)+PositiveStatementformoftheverb:

Thugedhomhnabhaaige(Hegavemethatwhich(all)thathehad)

Bitoilichteleisnath’agad!(Bepleasedwithwhatyouhave!)

Note:remembertheuseoftherelativefutureformoftheverb:Bheiredhomhnabhiosaige.Inothertenses,therelativeclauseformoftheverbcoincideswiththePositiveStatement/Independentform.

NOUNCLAUSES

Afterverbsofsaying,thinking,believing,andunderstanding,usegu/gun(befored)/gum(+labialconsonants)forapositivestatement,nachforanegativestatement,+dependentformoftheverb.Forexample:

Thaeagràdhgubheile’dolann(Hesays(that)he’sgoing)

Thaea’creidsinngundodh’fhalbhi(Hebelieves(that)shewentaway)

Smaoinichegumfalbhadhe(Hethought(that)hewouldgoaway)

Thuirtenachrobhe’tighinn(Hesaid(that)hewasn’tcoming)

CONSEQUENTIALANDCONDITIONALCLAUSES

Useof“if”:

a. Ma :positive form+positivestatement formofverb inpresent,past,or therelativefutureform.

Mathathusgith,leigd’anail(literally,“Ifyou’retired,letyourbreath”➾takearest)

Mabhiostusgithasdéidhsin,dèansuidhe(Ifyou’re–literally“willbe”–tiredafterthat,sitdown)

Machualatue,innisdhomh(Ifyouheardit,tellme)

b. Nan,nam(+labialconsonants):positiveformwithconditionaland“pluperfect”tenses,dependentform.“Pluperfect”meansthepastinpast–forexample,“Ihadleftbeforehearrived”,wherehadrepresentsamoredistantpastthanarrived.

Nantigeadhtu,bhithinntoilichte(Ifyoucame–literally,“wouldcome”–Iwouldbeglad)

Namfaighinndhachaidh,chaniarrainnaisde(literally,“IfIwould/couldgethome,Iwouldn’twantoutofit”➾Iwouldn’twanttoleaveit)

Nan robh thu air éisdeachd, cha bhiodh tu air tuiteam (literally, “If youwere afterIistening,youwouldn’tbeafterfalling”➾IfyouhadIistened,youwouldn’thavefallen)

c. Mur(a):Negative“ifnot,unIess”+dependentformofverb,alltenses

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Muradèanthusin,bidhmiriut!(literally,“Ifyoudon’t(willnotdo)that,l’IIbeatyou(ortoyou)”➾l’IIscoldyou).

Murdorinnthud’obair,chanfhaighthupàidheadh(Ifyoudidn’tdoyourwork,youwon’tgetpayment)

d. Margu/gun/gum:“asif”+dependent:

Ruithemargurobhduineasadhéidh(Heranasifsomeonewereafterhim)

CONCESSIVECLAUSES

a. geda“although”+Relativeformofverb

Gedadh’iarrastu,chanfhaighthu(Althoughyou(will)ask,youwon’tget)

b. gednach“although––not”+Dependentformofverb.

Gednachdodh’iarrthu,fhuairthu(Althoughyoudidn’task,youreceived)

ADVERBIALCLAUSES

a. Oftime:

i. anuaira*,’nuaira,“when”+Relative

’nuairnach,“when–not”+Dependent

Nuairadh’fhalbhase,bidhmibrònach(Whenhegoes–literally“willgo”–l’Ilbesad)

Nuairnachtille,thigleamsa(Whenhedoesn’treturn–literally,“won’treturn”–comewithme)

ii. mus,mas,mun,‘before’+Dependent

Chuirmithuigelitirmasdodh’fhalbhmi(IsenthimaletterbeforeIwentaway)

iii. gus,“until”+Dependent

Bidhmianngusantillthu(l’Ilbehereuntilyou(will)return)

iv. gun,“until”+Dependent

Bidhmiannguntillthu(I’Ilbehereuntilyou(will)return)

b. OfPlace:

i. faran,am(beforelabials),“where”+Dependent

Thesong(Strathspey)“Farambimi-fhin’sannannabhiosmodhòchas”(WhereImyselfwillbe,therewillmylove–literally“hope”,be)

*Thereisalsothedialecticalform:dara.

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ii. farnach,“where–not”+Dependent

Thami’dolfarnachrobhmiriamh(I’mgoingwhereIneverwasbefore)

c. OfReason:Compoundconjunctionswithgu/gun/gum/nach+Dependent,orRelativePronoun+Independent

i. “Because”:Achionn’sgu(n)/nach,Airtàilleabhgu(n)/nach,airsongu(n)/nach

Chaidhmiathadhalairairsongurobhetinn(Ivisitedhim–literally,“wentvisitingonhim”,becausehewassick)

ii. “Since”:Seachgu(n)/nach+Dependent

Seachgund’thàinige,b’urrainndhuinntòiseachadh(Sincehecame,wewereabletobegin)

iii. Compare:ona/bhona+RelativePronoun+Independent

(Bh)onathàinigedhachaidh,chaneilMàirifochùramtuilleadh(Sincehecamehome,Maryisnolongerworried–literally,“underanxiety”)

and

iv. Compare:onach/bhonach+Dependent

(Bh)o nach d’thàinig e dhachaidh, thaMàiri fo chùram (Since he didn’t comehome,Maryisworried)

d. OfPurpose:“Sothat”,achum’sgu(n)/nach+Dependent

Thami ’sgriobhadhthugadachum’sguntig thudhachaidh (l’mwritingyouso thatyou’lIcomehome)

e. OfManner:“As”,mara+Relative

Rinnmiemaradh’iarrthu(Idid(made)itasyouasked)

INDIRECTQUESTIONS

Thesecomeafterverbsofaskingorwondering.

a. Useparticlesan,am,nach+Dependent

Dh’fhaighnicheamfaighinndhana’chéilidh(literally,“HeaskedwouldIgettotheceilidh”).ThisisexpressedinEnglishas,“HeaskedifIwouldget(beabletogo)totheceilidh”

b. However,withquestionwords,usetheirusualconstructions

Dh’fhaighnicheciamaragheibhinndhana’chéilidh(Heaskedhow–literally“bywhatmeans”,Iwouldgettotheceilidh)

Dh’fhaighnichecàit’andodh’fhàgmiansgian(HeaskedwhereIlefttheknife)

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c. Notetheidiom:feuchan+dependent

Chaidheannfeuchandèanadhesith(Hewenttosee(try)ifhewould(could)makepeace)

d. Lookforspecialidiomaticusesofagus:

Chunnaicmi i ’smi’coiseachdritaobhnah-aibhne (Isawherwhile Iwaswalking–literally,“andIwalking”,bytheriver)

“Seodhut,”arsise’si’toirtdhomhcupa(“Hereyouare”,shesaid,givingme–literally,“andshegivingme”,acup)

e. Lookforspecialidiomaticusesofasdéidh:

Asdéidhdhuttilleadh,théidsinndhana’chéilidh(Afteryoureturn–literally,“afterforyoureturning”,we’llgototheceilidh)

Asdéidhdhàbruidhinn,dh’fhàgeantaigh(Afterspeaking–literally,“afterforhimspeaking”,heleftthehouse)


COMPARISONOFADJECTIVES

Thebasicrule:forcomparativeandsuperlativeformsofregularadjectives:

Add-i afterthelastbroadvowelsameasforthegenitivesingularfeminine

Add-e attheendoftheword

Prefixthecomparativewithnas(presenttense),orwithnabu(pasttense)

Prefixthesuperlativewithas(presenttense),orwithabu(pasttense)

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Hereisageneralisationofhowtomakecomparativesandsuperlativesofadjectives:

Positive

Comparative Superlative

Presenttense(-er,more) Presenttense(-est,most)

PastTense(-er,more) PastTense(-est,most)

BasicRule:“Slender”(front)vowel glic:wise

nasglice asglice

nabughlice abughlice

BasicRule:“Broad”(backorcentral)vowel

àrd:highnasàirde asàirde

nab’àirde ab’àirde

naomh:holynasnaoimhe asnaoimhe

nabunaoimhe abunaoimhe

Polysyllablesin-achcudthromach:important

nascudthromaiche ascudthromaiche

nabuchudthromaiche abuchudtromaiche

Vowelchange:a/o➾ui bog:soft,dampnasbuige asbuige

nabubhuige abubhuige

ea/io➾i sean:oldnassine assine

nabushine abushine

ea/eu/ia➾ei geur(giar):sharpnasgéire asgéire

nabughéire abughéire

a➾oi mall:slownasmoille asmoille

nabumhoille abumhoille

Disyllabicswithcontraction

bòidheach:handsome

nasbòidhche asbòidhche

nabubhòidhche abubhòidhche

ìosal/ìseal:lownasìsle asìsle

nab’ìsle ab’ìsle

milis:sweetnasmilse asmilse

nabumhilse abumhilse

uasal:noblenasuaisle asuaisle

nab’uaisle ab’uaisle

cumhang:narrownascuinge ascuinge

nabuchuinge abuchuinge

àlainn:lovelynasàille asàille

nab’àille ab’àille

blasda:tasty nasblasda asblasda

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Someindeclinabledisyllabics

seenotea)

nabubhlasda abubhlasda

gasda:excellentnasgasda asgasda

nabughasda abughasda

sona:contentednassona assona

nabushona abushona

Disyllabicsin-each cinnteach:certainnascinntiche ascinntiche

nabuchinntiche abuchinntiche

Irregulars

beag:smallnaslugha* aslugha

nabulugha abulugha

mór:bignasmotha asmotha

nabumhotha abumhotha

math:goodnasfheàrr asfheàrr

nab’fheàrr ab’fheàrr

olc:evil/dona:bad

nasmiosa asmiosa

nabumhiosa abumhiosa

làidir:strongnastreasa† astreasa

nabutreasa abutreasa

goirid,geàrr:shortnasgiorra asgiorra

nabughiorra abughiorra

leathann:broadnasleatha

nabuleatha

asleatha

abuleatha

furasda,fearasda:easy

nasfhasa asfhasa

nab’fhasa ab’fhasa

duilich:difficultnasduilghe asduilghe

nabuduilghe abuduilghe

teth:hotnasteotha asteotha

nabuteotha abuteotha

Withcopulaonly

toigh:agreeable,pleasant,loved

’sdocha ’sdocha

budocha budocha

ionmhainn:beloved

’sannsa ’sannsa

b’annsa b’annsa

*Alsonas/asbige,nabu/abubhige†Alsonaslàidire,etc.

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Note:

a) Usena:than,incomparison:

Thaseonaslughanasin(Thisissmallerthanthat)

b) Bufollowsitsregularrulesoflenition,exceptthatitdoeslenites.

c) Notecommonmodernusage:

’Sfheàirrdemisin!(“Iam/willbethebetterofthat”➾Ifeelbetterafterthat)

B’fheàirrdemisin!(“Iwasthebetterofthat“➾Ifeltbetterafterthat)

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BRIATHRANA’GHRÀMAIR:GRAMMATICALTERMS

Note:onlythefemininenounsaremarkedinthefollowing(asboir.whichistheabbreviationofboireannta),butallunmarkednounsaretobeunderstoodasmasculine.

facal(faclan/facail) word(s)fuaimreag,-an(boir.) vowel(s)stràc,-an(boir.) accent(s)(onvowels)stràcgheur acuteaccentstràcmhall graveaccent(alsostràcthrom)consan(consain) consonant(s)fuaimneachadh,-aidhean pronunciation(s)litreachadh,-aidhean spelling(s)sèimheachadh,-aidhean lenition(s)ainmear,-an noun(s)gnè,-ithean(boir.) gender(s)fireannta masculineboireannta feminineclàr,-an(ainmeir) declension(s)a’chiadchlàrfireannta thefirstdeclensionmasculinea’chiadchlàrboireannta thefirstdeclensionfemininetuiseal(tuislean) grammaticalcase(s)antuisealainmeach thenominative(subject)caseantuisealgairmeach thevocativecase(theaddressform)antuisealtabhartach thedativecase(theobjectofthepreposition)antuisealginideach thegenitivecase(thepossessiveform)singilte singular(number)iolra,-n plural(s)buadhair,-ean adjective(s)coimeasbhuadhairean comparisonofadjectivescoimeasach comparativefeabhasach superlativegnìomhair,-ean verb(s)gnìomhairriaghailteach regularverbgnìomhairmì-riaghailteach irregularverbfreumh,-an root(s)(ofaverb)ambith-ghnìomhair thesubstantive(basic)verb“tobe”ancopail thecopula(theassertiveverb“tobe”)tràth,-an tense(s)antràthlàthaireach thepresenttenseantràthcoileanta thepasttenseantràthteachdail thefuturetense

91

antràthclaon theconditionaltense(alsoantràthcumhach)anguthspreigeach theactivevoiceanguthfulangach thepassivevoiceco-ghnìomhair,-ean adverb(s)ainmear(an)gnìomhaireach verbalnoun(s)ròsg-rann,-taichean sentences(s)abairt,-ean(boir.) phrase(s)clàs,-an clause(s)roinn,-tean(boir.) clause(s),section(s),paragraph(s)roinniochdarach subordinateclauseroinndhàimheach relativeclauseroinnainmearach nounclauseroinnairchumha conditionalclauseroinnghéilleachail concessiveclauseroinncho-ghnìomhaireach adverbialclauseceisd,-ean(boir.) question(s)ceisd(-ean)neo-dhìreach indirectquestion(s)earrann,-earrainn(boir.) extract(s),paragraph(s)alt,-an (definite)article(s)riochdair,-ean pronoun(s)riochdair(-ean)pearsanta personalpronoun(s)riochdair(-ean)dàimheach relativepronoun(s)riochdair(-ean)sealbhach possessivepronoun(s)roimhear,-an preposition(s)ro-riochdair(ean) prepositionalpronoun(s)abairt(-ean)(boir.)módach modalexpression(s)àireamh(-an)àrdail cardinalnumber(s)àireamh(-an)òrdail ordinalnumber(s)dual-chainnt,-ean(boir.) dialect(s)gnàthas(-an)-cainnte idiom(s)

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FACLAN:VOCABULARY

’sdòcha:“ispossible”,perhaps’smathsin:that’sgood!(takeninto

Englishas“smashing”)á:outof,fromabheil?:is?ah-uileduine:everyonea-mach:outa-nis:nowa-steach:inside(withverbofmotion)a’breith:bearinga’bruidhinn:speaking,talkinga’cadal:sleepinga’call:losing(caill!:lose)a’cantainn/a’cantail/agràdh(ainn):

sayinga’chiadchlàrboireannta:thefirst

declensionfemininea’chiadchlàrfireannta:thefirst

declensionmasculinea’cluich:playinga’cluinntinn:hearinga’coimhead:watching,lookingata’coinneachadh:meetinga’coiseachd:walkinga’còrdadhri:agreeingwitha’creidsinn:believinga’cumail:keepinga’cur:putting,sendinga’dèanamh:doinga’deàrrsadh:shininga’deasachadh:preparinga’dol:goinga’dùsgadh:wakinga’fàgail:leavinga’faicinn:seeinga’faighinn:receivinga’faighneachd:askinga’falbh:goingawaya’feadalaich:whistlinga’feitheamh:waitinga’fosgladh:opening

a’gabhail:takinga’gearan:complaininga’gearradh:cuttinga’ghrian:thesuna’glanadh:cleaninga’glaodhadh:cryingouta’lasadh:lighting(up),kindlinga’leantainn:followinga’leughadh:readinga’lorg:finding,discoveringa’nighe:washinga’nigheadaireachd:washing(clothes)a’ruigsinn:reachinga’ruith:runninga’seinn:singinga’siubhal:travellinga’smaoineachadh:thinkinga’suathadh:touching,rubbinga’suidhe:sittinga’tadhalair:visiting(on)a’teagasg:teachinga’tighinn:cominga’tiormachadh:dryinga’toirt:givinga’tòiseachadh:beginninga’trod:scoldingabair:say!(imperativeofirregularverbag

ràdh)abairt,-ean(boir.):phrase(s)abairt,-ean(boir.)módach:modal

expression(s)aca:atthemagéibheachd/agéigheachd:shoutingagéirigh:rising,gettingupagéisdeachd:listeningagiarraidh:wanting,requestingaginnse:tellingagionnsachadh:learningagithe:eatingagobair:working

93

agòl:drinkingagad:atyouagaibh:atyou(pl.)againn:atusagam:atmeagus:and(shortformsare’sandis)aice:ather/itaig:at(aiganaonàm–atthesametime)aige:athim/itainm:nameainmear,-an:noun(s)ainmear,-angnìomhaireach:verbal

noun(s)air:on(airanfhìdhill–onthefiddle)air:onhim/itàireamh,-anàrdail:cardinalnumber(s)àireamh,-anòrdail:ordinalnumber(s)airgead:money(literally“silver”)aisde:outofher/itaiseag(boir.):ferryaithne(boir.):knowledge,acquaintanceAlba(boir.):Scotlandallt:stream,brook(possessive:uillt)alt:joint,conditionalt,-an:(definite)article(s)àm:timeambi?:will...be?ambith-ghnìomhair:thesubstantive

(basic)verb“tobe”an:thedefinitearticle“the”ancopail:thecopula(theassertiveverb

“tobe”)andiugh:todayandràsda:now(rightnow)anguthfulangach:thepassivevoiceanguthspreigeach:theactivevoiceanrobh?:was?AnCuilthionn:TheCuillinsAnt-EileanSgitheanach:theIsleofSkyeantràthclaon:theconditionaltense(also

antràthcumhach)antràthcoileanta:thepasttenseantràthlàthaireach:thepresenttenseantràthteachdail:thefuturetense

antuisealainmeach:thenominative(subject)case

antuisealgairmeach:thevocativecase(theaddressform)

antuisealginideach:thegenitivecase(thepossessiveform)

antuisealtabhartach:thedativecase(theobjectofthepreposition)

anail(boir.):air,breathanmoch:lateann:inhim/itannan:inannad:inyouannaibh:inyou(pl.)annainn:inusannam:inmeannsa’chlas:intheclassannta:inthemaodach:clothing,clothesaodann:faceaon:oneaotrom:light(adj.)aran:breadàrd:high,tallás:outofhim/itásdéidh,andéidh,ásdeoghaidh:after,

pastásad:outofyouásaibh:outofyou(pl.)ásainn:outofusásam:outofmeásda:outofthemath:nextathair:fatherbaile:town(originallymeantfarmer’s

enclosedhomestead)bainne:milkbalach:boybarail(boir.):opinionbàrd:poet(lowestrankofthefilidh)barr:top,summitbàta:boatbeag:littlebean(boir.):woman,wife

94

beannachd(boir.):blessingbeatha(boir.):lifebeinn(boir.):mountainbha:wasbho/o:frombhuaibh:fromyou(pl.)bhuainn:fromusbhuaipe:fromher/itbhuaithe:fromhim/itbhuam:frommebhuapa:fromthembhuat:fromyoubithidh,bidh:willbeblàth:warm,kind,tenderbó(boir.):cowbodach:oldmanboireannta:femininebonaid(boir.):bonnet,capbòrd:tablebradan:salmonbrèagh:beautifulbròg,-an(boir.):shoe(s)brònach:sadbuadhair,-ean:adjective(s)cabhag(boir.):hurrycabhaig:hurry,dativefeminineformcadal:sleepcaileag(boir.):girlcàirdean:friends(inpluralalso

“relatives”)cairteal:quartercàite:where?(ciaàite:whatplace?)càl:cabbagecala:harbourcaolas:astrait(ofwater)caora(boir.):sheepcar:somewhatcaraid:friendcarson:why?(ciaairson:whatfor?)cas(boir.):footcat:cat(possessive:cait)ceann:headcèarr:wrong(dialectally:left)

ceart:right(adj.)céilidh(boir.):meetingceisd,-ean(boir.):question(s)ceisd,-eanneo-dhìreach:indirect

question(s)ceithir:fourceòlnafìdhle:themusicofthefiddleceòlmhor:grandmusicceòthach:foggy,mistyceum:stepchabhi:willnotbecharobh:wasnotchaneil:isnotchosona:sohappy,contentciad(alsoceud):hundredciallach:sensibleciamar:how?(literally“whatlike”?).

Ciamarathathu?(Howareyou?)cidsin:kitchencinnteach:sure,certaincladach:shoreclann(boir.):childrenclàr,-an(ainmeir):declension(s)clas:classclàs,-an:clause(s)cleachdadh:practicecnoc:hill(possessive:cnuic)có:who?coás:wherefrom?(fromciaás:outof

what?)codhiùbh:anywayco-ghnìomhair,-ean:adverb(s)co-là-breith:birthdaycogadh:warcóig:fivecoimeasbhuadhairean:comparisonof

adjectivescoimeasach:comparativecoin:dogscoinneamh(boir.):meetingcòir:kind(adj.)coire(boir.):kettlecomann:society,clubcòmhradh:conversation

95

consan(consain):consonant(s)cosnadh:winning,earningcòta:coatcothrom,-an:opportunity(-ies)creag(boir.):rock,cragcrìoch(boir.):end,boundarycruaidh:hardcù:dog(possessive:coin)cuairt(boir.):circuit,excursioncuairtsiubhail:adventurecuideachadh:helpcuideachd:too,also,aswellcuimhne,cuimhn’(boir.):memorycuimseach:somewhat,rathercuimseachmath:moderatelywell

(equivalentto“okay”)cuine:when?(ciaùine:whattime?)cùram:care,anxietycurran,-an:carrot(s)dà:twode:of,offdé:what?(fromciode?)deich:tendeiseil:ready,right(direction)deoch(boir.):drinkdha:to,forhim/itdhaibh:to,forthemdhanchlas:to(the)classdheth:offhim/itdhi:to,forher/itdhibh:offyou(pl.)dhinn:offusdhìom:offmedhìot:offyoudhith:offher/itdhiubh:offthemdhomh:to,formedhuibh:to,foryou(pl.)dhuinn:to,forusdhùisg:woke(verb),pasttenseofdùisgdhut:to,foryoudìcheallach:diligentdinichean:jeans

dinnear(boir.):dinnerdìreach:just,direct(ly)(an)dithis:thepair,thetwo(people)do:to,fordòchas:hope,confidencedona:baddorus:doordreuchd(boir.):job,workpositiondruim:backduais(boir.):prize/awarddual-chainnt,-ean(boir.):dialact(s)dùil(boir.):expectationduilich:difficult,sorryduine:man,person,husbandDùnÉideann:Dunedin,Edinburghdùthaich(boir.):countrye:he,him,ite-fhéin:himselfeachdraidh(boir.):history,tradition,storyeagal:fearearbsa(boir.):confidence,trustearrach:springtimeearrann,-earrainn(boir.):extract(s),

paragraph(s)èasgaidh:willing,nimble,activeeile:other,anotherEilidh:Ellen,HelenÉirinn(boir.):Irelandeòlas:knowledge,acquaintanceshipesan:he,it(emphatic)facal(faclan/facail):word(s)fàilte(boir.):salute,salutation,welcome,

hail!feabhasach:superlative(coimeasach:

comparative)feadan:chanter(ofabagpipe)feadhainn:some,severalfeasgar:evening(feasgarmath:good

evening)fèith(boir.):sinewfeòil(boir.):meatfeuch:see,tryfeuchaibhfhéin:you,yourselvestryfeum:need,use

96

feumaidhmi:Imustfhathast:yet,stillfiadh:deerfìdheall(boir.):fiddlefios:knowledgefireannta:masculinefìrinn,(boir.):truthfliuch:wetflùr,-aichean:flower(s)fo:underfodha:underhim/itfodhad:underyoufodhaibh:underyou(pl.)fodhainn:underusfodham:undermefodhpa:underthemfoghar:autumn,fallfoidhpe:underher/itfraoch:heatherfras(boir.):ashowerfreumh,-an:root(s)(ofaverb)fuaimneachadh,-aidhean:

pronunciation(s)fuaimreag,-an(boir.):vowel(s)fuar:coldfuil(boir.):bloodgach:eachGàidheal:aGaelgasda:excellent,decentgeal:whitegeamhradh:wintertimegin(boir.):anything,anygiomach:lobsterglainne(boir.):aglassglasraich(boir.):greens,vegetablesglùn(pl.glùintean)(boir.):knee(s)gnàthas-cainnte(gnàthasan-cainnte):

idiom(s)gnè,-ithean(boir.):gender(s)gnìomhairmì-riaghailteach:irregularverbgnìomhairriaghailteach:regularverbgnìomhair,-ean:verb(s)gnothaichean:matters,"things"gràdh:love

greasort:hurryup("onyou’")gréim:amorsel(offood)grian(boir.):sungruaim(boir.):gloom,frowngu:togudearbh:indeed!(positiveintensive)gudòigheil:“great”(thamigudòigheil–

I'mingoodtrim)guh-àraidh:especiallygumall:slowlygumath:well,finegusunndach:joyfully,"soundly"gun:withoutguth:voiceHaileafacs:Halifaxi:she,her,iti-fhéin:herselfiad:they,themiad-fhéin:themselvesiadsan:they,them(emphatic)idir:atall(negativeintensive)innte:inher/itinntinneach:interestingiolra,-n:plural(s)iomadh:manya...iseile:andother(things),etcise:she,it(emphatic)là(latha):day(làmath:goodday)làmh,-an(boir.):hand(s)làn:full,complete,filled,satisfiedlaochan:littlehero–goodboylaogh:calf(ofacow)le:by,withleam:by,withmeleann:beerleasan:lessonleat:by,withyouleatha:by,withher/itleibh:by,withyou(pl.)léine-t(boir.):t-shirtleinn:by,withusleis:by,withhim/itLeódhas:(Isleof)Lewis

97

leotha:by,withthemleth-uair(boir.):ahalfhourlitir(boir.):letterlitreachadh,-aidhean:spelling(s)lobht,-aidh:loftloch:lakeluath:quick,fastluchd-ionnsachaidh:learnersluchd-obrach:"workpeople",staffmatha:then;literally,"if(it)is(so)"mac:sonMac/Nic’Illebhràth:MacGillivrayMac/NicChoinnich:MacKenziemadainn(boir.):morning(madainn

mhath:goodmorning)mall:slowmaol:baldmar:as,likemara:ofthesea(possessiveofmuir)math:goodmàthair:mothermeadhonlatha:noon,mid-daymeadhonoidhch':midnightmeadhonach:middlingmeasailair:fondof,keenonmeasg:midstmeud:sizemi:I,memi-fhéin(mi-fhìn):myselfmil(boir.):honey(rudanmilis:“sweet

things”)mìle(boir.):thousandmìn:smoothmionaid,-ean(boir.):minute(s)miotag(boir.):glove,mittenmireagach:playful,sportingmise:I,me(emphatic)mór(alsomòr):bigmóran:much,alotmu:aboutmudhéidhinn/dheóghainn:concerning,

aboutmudheireadh:atlastmudheireadhthall:atlonglast

muthràth:already,earliermuir:seamullach:top,summitNaHearadh:HarrisNaSìophortaich:TheSeaforthHighlandersNaStàiteanAonaichte:TheUnitedStates

(ofAmerica)naidheachd(boir.):newsnaidheachdanlatha:thenewsofthedaynaoi(naodh):ninenead:nestnic:usedinsurnameswithreferenceto

female–fromnigheanmhicnòs:style,tradition,usagenuaira:whenobair(boir.):workobh!:oh!:agroanochd:eightoidhche:night(oidhchemhath:good

night)oilthigh:universityoirbh:onyou(pl.)oirnn:onusoirre:onher/itòr:goldòran:songòranluadhaidh:waulking,millingsongorm:onmeorra:onthemort:onyoupàirc(boir.):park,fieldpìos:"apiece",ashortdistancepiuthar(boir.):sisterpreas:cupboardprìseil:preciouspròiseil:proudrann(pl.rannanorranntaichean)(boir.):

verse(s)Raonaid:Rachelrathad:roadri:toriochdair,-ean:pronoun(s)riochdair,-eandàimheach:relative

pronoun(s)

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riochdair,-eanpearsanta:personalpronoun(s)

riochdair,-eansealbhach:possessivepronoun(s)

rionnach:mackerelris:tohim/itrithe:toher/itrium:tomeriut:toyouriutha:tothemro:too(usedwithadjective)ro-riochdair,-ean:prepositional

pronoun(s)roimh:beforeroimhe:beforehim/itroimhear,-an:preposition(s)roimhpe:beforeher/itroinnainmearach:nounclauseroinnairchumha:conditionalclauseroinncho-ghnìomhaireach:adverbial

clauseroinndhàimheach:relativeclauseroinnghéilleachail:concessiveclauseroinniochdarach:subordinateclauseroinn,-tean(boir.):clause(s),section(s),

paragraph(s)romhad:beforeyouromhaibh:beforeyou(pl.)romhainn:beforeusromham:beforemeromhpa:beforethemròsg-rann,-taichean(boir.):sentences(s)rud,-an:thing(s)ruibh:toyou(pl.)ruinn:toussàillte:saltedSamhainn(boir.):Hallow-tide;Novembersamhradh:summertimesaoghal:worldseachad:past,overseachd:sevenSealanNuadh(boir.):NewZealandseanchas:tale,story,conversation,

discourse,history

sèimheachadh,-aidhean:lenition(s)seo:this(demonstrativeadjective)seòl:asailseòmar:roomsgeul:storysgrìob(boir.):jaunt,excursionshìos:downsia:sixsibh:you(plural,alsoformal)sibh-fhéin:yourselves(insomedialects:

sibh(p)-fhéin)sibhse:you(pluralemphatic)sìde(boir.):weathersingilte:singular(number)sinn:we,ussinn-fhìn:ourselvessinne:we,us(emphatic)sinnsear:ancestorsion:anythingsìth(boir.):peace,quietness,tranquilitysìtheil:peacefulsiùcar:sugarsiuthad!:goon!slàn:healthy,wholesmaoinich!:think!imagine!snodha-gàire:smilesoitheach:dishsoitheach-sgudail:trashcansoithichean:dishessòlas:solace,comfort,consolation,

contentmentsolus:light,knowledgesona:contentsonas:happiness,contentmentspeur:skysrùbag(boir.):"acuppa"(tea)Steòrnabhagh:Stornowaystràcgheur:acuteaccentstràcmhall:graveaccent(alsostràc

throm)stràc,-an(boir.):accent(s)(onvowels)strainnsear,-an:stranger(s)stuthcùbhraidh:"fragrantstuff":

perfume

99

suidhichte:situated(pastparticipleofa’suidheachadh)

Suidnidh:Sydneysùil(boir.):eyesuipear(boir.):suppertaghadh:electiontaigh-òsda:inn,taverntaobh:sidetapadhleat/leibh:thankyou(singular/pl.,

polite)tapaidh:smart,manlytarraing:pullingteth:hotteud,-an:string(s)tha:am,is,arethu:you(thou)thu-fhéin:yourselfthuca:tothemthugad:toyouthugaibh:toyou(pl.)thugainn:tousthugam:tomethuice:toher/itthuige:tohim/itthusa:you(singular,emphatic)tighinn:comingtìr:landtoilichte:glad,happy,pleasedtorman:rumblingsoundtràth:early

tràth,-an:tense(s)trì:threetroimh:throughtroimhe:throughhim/ittroimhpe:throughher/ittromhad:throughyoutromhaibh:throughyou(pl.)tromhainn:throughustromham:throughmetromhpa:throughthemtrosg:codtuiseal(tuislean):grammaticalcase(s)turas:trip,journey,voyage;time(period)tùs:beginning,front,commencement,

originuairsambith:(at)anytimeuair,-ean(boir.):(an)hour(s)ugh:egguile:every,alluime:abouthim/ituimpe:abouther/itùine(boir.):timeuinneag(boir.):windowumad:aboutyouumaibh:aboutyou(pl.)umainn:aboutusumam:aboutmeumpa:aboutthem

2632087809959

ISBN 9780995263208

A native Gaelic speaker born in the Isle of Lewis and a graduate of Edinburgh

University, Scotland, Catrìona NicÌomhair Parsons has been involved in the teaching of Gaelic language and song in North America for decades. For thirty summers, she taught Scottish Gaelic at the Gaelic College, St. Ann’s, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, where she was

commissioned to prepare Gàidhlig troimh Chòmhradh, a Gaelic course in three volumes with recorded text. For many years, she taught in the Celtic Studies Department of St. Francis Xavier University, Nova Scotia; after retiring, she spent six years working for the newly constituted Nova Scotia Office of Gaelic Affairs. She has written well over a hundred Gaelic-English articles for local newspapers. Her poetry has been published in Scottish Gaelic periodicals GAIRM and GATH, and she has produced her solo CD of Gaelic songs entitled “Eileanan mo Ghaoil” in tribute both to Cape Breton and Lewis. From Seattle, Washington, to Grandfather Mountain, North Carolina; from Toronto to Nova Scotia, Canada; from Sydney, Australia, to Dunedin, New Zealand, Catrìona has been privileged to share her beloved language and culture with motivated students, many of whom are now instructors themselves.

This, her most recent work, is a synthesis of all of the grammatical insights garnered from decades of experience

teaching Scottish Gaelic to learners around the world. It clearly demonstrates in easy-to-read chapters, tables, and examples how the Gaelic language is structured. Rules, forms, pronunciation, and a host of other issues are all logically and systematically explained. Furthermore, this book can act as a handy reference for either the beginner or native speaker.

ISBN 978-0-9952632-0-8