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From ‘Spaglainní’ to ‘Spéartha’: More Irish Vocab from ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ Posted by róislín on Jul 4, 2015
(le Róislín) In the last blog post, we looked at the word “spaglainneach” (spangled), noticeable for its absence in the Irish translation of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Anyone remember what phrase is used for “star-spangled” in the Irish version instead? Freagra thíos. For all four verses of the American national anthem in Irish, you might…
Speaking of Spangles, Irish, and the American National Anthem Posted by róislín on Jun 30, 2015
(le Róislín) For several years now, I’ve been posting the Irish-language version of “The Star-Spangled Banner” around the American July 4th celebration. Last year’s July 4th blog post included all four verses in Irish, with pronunciation and vocabulary notes. It was, needless to say, “an-fhada” mar bhlagmhír. (Nasc thíos). This year, I thought I’d look…
Na Madraí Is Gránna ar Domhan (The Ugliest Dogs in the World) Posted by róislín on Jun 28, 2015
(le Róislín) Bhuel, they say that “áille” is in the eye of the “dearcadóir” (or “féachadóir“). And perhaps even more to the point, “Ní hí an bhreáthacht a bhruitheann na prátaí.” And I’m sure that all “úinéirí madraí” think that their own “madra” is “go hálainn.” But still, we can probably acknowledge that some dogs…
An Tragóid i mBerkeley, California Posted by róislín on Jun 25, 2015
(le Róislín) I’m sure we’ve all been reading for the past couple of weeks about the tragic balcony collapse in Berkeley, California, and the six deaths that resulted (Ashley Donohoe, Eoghan Culligan, Olivia Burke, Lorcán Miller, Eimear Walsh, Niccolai Schuster). First I would like to express my condolences (mo chomhbhrón) to the families of those…
Cén dath atá ar ghruaig d’athar? (some Irish questions for Father’s Day) Posted by róislín on Jun 20, 2015
(le Róislín) In the last few blogs, we’ve been looking at the color of hair (gruaig), beards (féasóga), and even sideburns (locaí). In honor of Lá na nAithreacha, why don’t we look at saying what color hair your father has, and if he has them, what color féasóg, croiméal (mustache) and locaí he might also…
Céard (Cad é / Cad) atá ort? … air sin? srl. (some uses of the word ‘ar’ in Irish) Posted by róislín on Jun 15, 2015
(le Róislín) Lately we’ve been looking at how to say you have red hair or a black beard (and/or mustache and sideburns), using the word “ar” (on). In previous blog posts, we’ve looked at using “ar” to say you’re ill (“I have a cold”) or how you feel about something, either emotionally (I’m happy) or as…
Speaking of ‘Féasóga’ — What Color Is His ‘Féasóg’ in Irish? Posted by róislín on Jun 12, 2015
(le Róislín) Lately we’ve been talking a lot about dath gruaige in Irish, including the following: rua, fionnrua, órdhonn, donn, dubh, fionn, liath, and even, as in bréagfholt Phyllis Diller, gorm). We also practiced saying someone “has” a certain color hair in Irish. Remember, to say the person “has” that color hair, we don’t use…