Archive for 'Irish Language'
An Bliosán Gréine (Jerusalem Artichoke): Ainm Contráilte i mBéarla ach “Neamhchontráilte” i nGaeilge (An English Misnomer but Irish “Non-Misnomer”) Posted by róislín on May 25, 2009
Tamaillín ó shin (a little while ago, May 6 to be specific), I hinted at a discussion of the term “Jerusalem artichoke” in Irish. And why not? It’s suimiúil (interesting) on several counts: “luibheolaíocht” (botany), “logainmníocht” (toponymy), “sanasaíocht” and “bréagshanasaíocht” (etymology and pseudo-etymology), “cócaireacht” (cooking), and “eolas contráilte”(misinformation), to name just a few. You…
Logainmneacha Ceilteacha agus Náisiúntachtaí a Sé: Celtic Place Names and Nationalities 6 – Cornwall and the Cornish Posted by róislín on May 22, 2009
We’ve recently discussed the place names Albain, Éire, An Bhreatain Bheag, Oileán Mhanann, and An Bhriotáin. Today we’ll turn to Cornwall. Below you’ll find some examples of how to use the place name and how to indicate that a person or thing is Cornish. Cornwall is called “Corn na Breataine” (horn of Britain) or sometimes…
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…