Archive for the year 2009
Téarmaí Ginealeolaíochta: Genealogical Terms in Irish Posted by róislín on Jun 20, 2009
Are you working ar do chraobh ghinealaigh (on your family tree)? Are you interested i nginealeolaíocht (in genealogy)? If so, these terms could be useful. They are shown as vocabulary items and with sample phrases or questions. ainm (name): Cén t-ainm atá ort? What’s your name? sloinne (surname): Cén sloinne atá ort? What’s…
An Bhfuil Ceol Agat? An Seinneann Tú an tAltsacsafón … an Xileafón? Posted by róislín on Jun 17, 2009
(le Róislín) There are several ways to ask in Irish if someone plays music. Probably the most general is “An bhfuil ceol agat?” This literally means “Is there music at you” and refers to playing or singing. The construction where an activity is “at you” is widely used to ask about skills or abilities. Some more…
Cén Sórt Ceoil Is Fearr Leat? What Kind of Music Do You Like Best? Posted by róislín on Jun 14, 2009
Cén Sórt Ceoil Is Fearr Leat? What Kind of Music Do You Like Best? First let’s try some even more basic phrases: Is maith liom rac-cheol. I like rock music. [for “maith,” say: mah, the “t” is silent] Ní maith liom rac-cheol. I don’t like rock music. (Remember that breathy “ch”…
Rac-cheol, Punc-cheol, Popcheol, Snagcheol, and My Favorite Standby, Ceol Traidisiúnta! (not to mention Rac-cheol Sícideileach, Rac-cheol an Deiscirt, Ceol Gangsta, Ceol Gaspal, Ceol Rithim agus Gormacha) Posted by róislín on Jun 11, 2009
You may have figured out the Irish word “ceol,” or its variant, “cheol,” from the title. Of course, you may have already seen it, perhaps in pubs signs advertising “ceol agus craic.” You might have wondered why, knowing my addiction to fleiscíní (hyphens), in their proper place, I carefully put in the…
Dogs and Daideonna (Grandads) in Direct Address “i nGaeilge” – agus Mamónna Freisin (and Grandmoms too) Posted by róislín on Jun 8, 2009
(le Róislín) This is mostly for active Irish-speakers and learners, but might be of interest more broadly, given how many people write on the Internet about how kids can say “grandmother” and “grandfather” in a less formal way (pop-pop, meemaw, etc.). Also, more than a few people talk to their dogs! If you’re talking directly…
Pronunciation tips for Mamó, Móraí, and Daideo (Grandma/Granny and Grandpa) Posted by róislín on Jun 5, 2009
(le Róislín) There have been numerous inquiries on how to pronounce these words, since the previous blogpost on this topic came out (nasc thíos), so here are some tips: To pronounce Mamó: the final vowel is long, so it gets extra emphasis: mam-OH To pronounce Móraí: the emphasis is on the first syllable, which sounds like…
Saying Where You’re From “i nGaeilge” Posted by róislín on Jun 2, 2009
The terms “Gael-Mheiriceánaigh,” “Gael-Cheanadaigh,” and “Gael-Astrálach,” discussed on May 28 and earlier, account for a large percentage of the Irish diaspora, outside the U.S. Now to get more specific. Two North American groups who could have many members wishing to identify themselves in Irish are the Nova Scotians and the Newfoundlanders. In each case…