Before we finish up the query on “before,” there are a few more avenues to pursue.  One fun one is the interjection “fore!”  As I mentioned before, the English warning “fore!” might not initially seem related to “before” but in fact it is.  “Before,” in English, is actually a compound word, consisting of Old English “be” (meaning “by”) and “for” or “foran” (meaning “fore/before”).  When you take away the “be-“ prefix, you’re left with “fore.”  That’s “aphesis,” taking away an unstressed syllable, usually initial, to create a new but related word.  There are plenty of other examples of aphesis in English (acute/cute, esquire/squire) but that’s really more a matter for a blagálaí Béarla. 

“Fore!” is one of the more transparent and straightforward golf terms, either in English or in Irish.  We could also discuss more golfing terms at a future point, but I find their use even in English a bit mind-bogeying.  Oops, that should be mind-boggling – see what I mean!  And actually, “bogey” and “bogle” are historically related words, but with great self-control, I will refrain from digressing there, and say that, at most, that will be ábhar blag eile (bógaí, bobodha, srl.).   

So back to ár bpríomhphointe.  There are at least three ways that one could shout “fore!” in Irish.  None of them are specific to golf though, the way “fore!” is.  Here they are, with their general meanings as well.

Fainic! Warning! Beware!  This can be a noun or a verb.  “Cuirim fainic air” means “I warn him” (lit. I put a warning on him).  As a verb, it is mostly used sa mhodh ordaitheach (as an order or command), as in “Fainic an rud atá tú a rá” (Watch what you’re saying). 

Faire!  Watch!  This is usually a noun, as found in phrases like “túr faire” (watchtower) or “an fear faire” (the look-out, lit. the man of watching).  There is also a verb, fair, which is mostly used as an infinitive or in the progressive form, picking up the –e ending again (corp a fhaire, to wake a corpse; ag faire ar thraein, waiting for a train), as opposed to being fully conjugated. 

Seachain!  Avoid!  This is actually the command form of a verb, which can also be used in sentences such as “Seachnaím an tsráid sin nuair a bhíonn an broidtráth ar siúl” (I avoid that street when it is rush hour).     

As for which to use if playing golf trí mheán na Gaeilge and determining which of these is the best choice, you’re close to on your own.  I’m much more partial to “mionghalf,” as played in America, and the kitschier the course, the better.  I like the dineasáir phleicseaghloine, mionrotha uisce, and other bacainní fantaiseacha that make up a miniature golf course and I’m sad to see so many of them closing down as their land becomes more valuable for developing condominiums.  And to the best of my knowledge, there’s not much need to shout “fore!” or “fainic!” or “seachain!” or “faire!” during miniature golf, unless there are some leipreacháin lurking around the course!

Gluais: bacainn, obstacle (cf. bac, bother, as in “Ná bac leis! Don’t bother about it!);  intriacht, interjection; pleicseaghloine, plexiglass; roth [roh, silent “t”] wheel)

Ceistiúcháinín (gan a scéala roimhe):  Did you notice a couple of ways that the word “before” was incorporated into the text above?  “Before we finish …” and “As I mentioned before …”.   So which of our seven-plus choices would you use to translate these? 

Freagraí (in reverse order, just so the eye doesn’t scan right to the answer)

Mar a dúirt mé cheana – As I mentioned before

Sula gcríochnóidh muid – Before we (will) finish

And perhaps you noticed one other “before” that crept in:

gan a scéala roimhe, unannounced, lit. (very lit.!) without its tidings before it. 

We’ll be finished this mionsraith before long (roimh i bhfad); then on to “already” and maybe the aforementioned “bogies” (fantastic, golf-ish, and otherwise), and/or other topics you might suggest.