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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”…
Lá na Máithreacha vs. Lá na Máthar (“Day of the Mothers” or “of the Mother”)? Posted by róislín on May 10, 2009
(le Róislín) I’ve been following this debate in Irish circles for a good 10 or so years now, probably since the first time I wrote on the topic for my Irish language column for children in the Philadelphia-based Irish Edition newspaper (www.irishedition.com). Are we celebrating one mother or all mothers? I should probably qualify that to say…
Logainmneacha Ceilteacha agus Náisiúntachtaí a Ceathair: Celtic Place Names and Nationalities 4 – The Isle of Man (Mann) and the Manx Posted by róislín on May 6, 2009
We’ve recently discussed the place names Albain (Scotland), Éire (Ireland), and An Bhreatain Bheag (Wales). Today we’ll turn to the Isle of Man (IOM), an island which is not part of Britain nor of the United Kingdom, but which has been a British crown possession since 1828. Under the auspices of the British Home Office…
Logainmneacha Ceilteacha agus Náisiúntachtaí a Trí: Celtic Place Names and Nationalities – Wales and the Welsh Posted by róislín on May 3, 2009
We’ve recently discussed the place names Albain (Scotland) and Éire (Ireland). Now we’ll turn to ”An Bhreatain Bheag” (Wales). Since “Breatain” is a feminine noun, the adjective that modifies it, “beag” (little) becomes “bheag.” And since this country name includes the definite article “an” (the), it also causes “Breatain” to change to “Bhreatain,” pronounced with…
Bealtaine, Beltain, Beltene, or Beltane for May 1st? YES! Ba’al tine – NOT! Posted by róislín on May 1, 2009
Bealtaine, Beltain, Beltene, or Beltane for May 1st? YES! Ba’al tine – NOT! May 1st is the first day of summer in the traditional Celtic calendar, and if our current heat wave (ceithre chéim is nócha Fahrenheit ar an 26ú lá d’Aibreán, 94°F on April 26th) is any indication, it will feel like an…