Archive by Author
Iarsmaoineamh (maidir leis an bhfocal “Lochlannach”) Posted by róislín on Jan 12, 2010
(le Róislín) I thought I might post an afterthought regarding the word “Lochlannach,” which appeared in the last blog (nasc thíos), talking about the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. Although it is used for the phrase “sprús Lochlannach” (Norway spruce), a more literal translation would be “Scandinavian spruce.” “Lochlannach” is the adjective form of “Lochlainn,”…
Deireadh Shéasúr na Nollag – faoi dheireadh! Posted by róislín on Jan 9, 2010
(le Róislín) Bhuel, here are the last few terms I can eke out before we’re totally báite i dtéarmaí Vailintín. Perhaps you can save them for an Nollaig seo chugainn (next Christmas). an páipéar beartán, the wrapping paper an chloch guail, the lump of coal (for the stockings of all ye buachaillí agus cailíní dána…
Mionbhlag: Comhaireamh Síos go dtí an Bhliain Úr Posted by róislín on Jan 1, 2010
Mionbhlag: Comhaireamh Síos go dtí an Bhliain Úr We’re coming to the end of Oíche Chinn Bhliana (New Year’s Eve), also known as Oíche na Coda Móire (the night of the big portion), so you might want to count down to the stroke of midnight. It’s not always so easy to count backwards in…
Nótaí Fuaimnithe don Bhlag Roimhe (Pronunciation Notes for the Previous Blog) Posted by róislín on Dec 31, 2009
This blog is mostly pronunciation notes for the previous entry, since pronunciation is one of the aspects of Irish that many of my students keep asking about. As usual, I’ll be concentrating on the words that have silent letters or that tend to raise questions. I hope this will be useful for relative…
Téarmaí Nollag gan an Focal “Nollaig” – Cána Candaí, Bleathach Uibhe, agus Fíoracha Sinséir Posted by róislín on Dec 30, 2009
(le Róislín) Seo roinnt téarmaí faoin Nollaig nach bhfuil an focal “Nollaig” féin iontu (some Christmasy terms that don’t have the word “Christmas” itself in them): an cána candaí, the candy cane an bhleathach uibhe, the eggnog or the egg-flip. ”Bleathach” normally means “grist” or “oat-meal cake.” Add “uibhe,” the possessive form of “ubh” (egg)…
An tOchtú Lá is Fiche (28ú) de Mhí na Nollag i Séasúr na Nollag Posted by róislín on Dec 29, 2009
(le Róislín) There are two names for this day, December 28th, in Irish, one the “téarma oifigiúil” and the other less formal. Lá na Leanaí Neamhchiontacha (or sometimes “Lá na Leanbh”) is Holy Innocents’ Day, a reference to Matha 2:16-18. The less formal term is “Lá Crosta na Bliana.” ”Leanbh” is “child,” with the plural…
Ceistiúchán faoi Rudolf an Réinfhia Posted by róislín on Dec 24, 2009
(This was supposed to come out a few days ago; brón orm) We all probably know the song about Rudolph. But can you answer these questions about him in Irish? Answers (“A”) given below, together with a short glossary. 1. Cén sórt fia é Rudolf?: a) fia fionn (fia buí) b) fia Baictriach c) muscfhia d)…