Archive for May, 2009
Being a Gael-Mheiriceánach, Gael-Cheanadach, or Gael-Astrálach, or Any Other Nationality “as Gaeilge” Posted by róislín on May 31, 2009
We recently discussed the various ways to use the word “Gael-Mheiriceánach” to say something is “Irish-American” or “I am an Irish-American.” Let’s go global and discuss some more possibilities. If you’re one of about 4.5 million Canadians with Irish ancestry, you could say, “Is Gael-Cheanadach mé.” If you’re one of almost 2 million Irish-Australians…
Deir seachtar (7) i nGaeilge gur “Gael-Mheiriceánaigh” iad ach deir 2805, “I’m (an) Irish-American,” de réir cuardach Google Posted by róislín on May 28, 2009
(le Róislín) “Deir seachtar (7) i nGaeilge gur ‘Gael-Mheiriceánaigh’ iad ach deir 2805, ‘I’m (an) Irish-American,’ de réir cuardach Google.” Well, that blog title should be an attention-getter! Not that Google searches are “bun agus barr an scéil” (the be-all and end-all) of information gathering, but this search result does provide food for thought. This article…
An Bliosán Gréine (Jerusalem Artichoke): Ainm Contráilte i mBéarla ach “Neamhchontráilte” i nGaeilge (An English Misnomer but Irish “Non-Misnomer”) Posted by róislín on May 25, 2009
Tamaillín ó shin (a little while ago, May 6 to be specific), I hinted at a discussion of the term “Jerusalem artichoke” in Irish. And why not? It’s suimiúil (interesting) on several counts: “luibheolaíocht” (botany), “logainmníocht” (toponymy), “sanasaíocht” and “bréagshanasaíocht” (etymology and pseudo-etymology), “cócaireacht” (cooking), and “eolas contráilte”(misinformation), to name just a few. You…
Logainmneacha Ceilteacha agus Náisiúntachtaí a Sé: Celtic Place Names and Nationalities 6 – Cornwall and the Cornish Posted by róislín on May 22, 2009
We’ve recently discussed the place names Albain, Éire, An Bhreatain Bheag, Oileán Mhanann, and An Bhriotáin. Today we’ll turn to Cornwall. Below you’ll find some examples of how to use the place name and how to indicate that a person or thing is Cornish. Cornwall is called “Corn na Breataine” (horn of Britain) or sometimes…
Logainmneacha Ceilteacha agus Náisiúntachtaí a Cúig: Celtic Place Names and Nationalities 5 – Brittany (Breizh / Bretagne) and the Bretons Posted by róislín on May 19, 2009
We’ve recently discussed the place names Albain, Éire, An Bhreatain Bheag, and Oileán Mhanann. Today we’ll turn to Brittany. Below you’ll find some examples of how to use the place name and how to indicate that a person or thing is Breton. One of France’s 22 régions, Brittany is called “An Bhriotáin” in Irish. …
Bhuf! Bhuf! An Chéad Mhadra – Bo Obama – The First Dog Posted by róislín on May 16, 2009
If you don’t see the image, please go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:First_Dog_Bo_Obama.jpg Does it get any cuter? Bo Obama agus lei (muince Haváíoch) air. Stocaí bána ar a chosa tosaigh agus eireaball pom-pom! Bibe bán aige. Is Uisceadóir Portaingéalach é. Ní dóigh liom go bhfuil aon rud níos gleoite! Photo: Pete…
Smaoinigh air sin! Smaoinigh air seo! Or, A Penny for your “Smaointe” Posted by róislín on May 13, 2009
Transparent Language’s Word of the Day recently featured “smaoineamh,” a word whose pronunciation has intrigued many of my students over the years. Fortunately, now all you have to do is click on the WOTD link to hear it (https://blogs.transparent.com/wotd/today/irish.htm). Some speakers don’t pronounce the final –mh at all (SMWEEN-yuh); others pronounce it as a “v”…