And why not regular old “A to Z” as such?  Well, I can’t really find any documentable ethnonym in Irish that starts with “Z.”  Most words which would be candidates actually start with “s” in Irish, since “z” was not a traditional letter in aibítir na Gaeilge.  Mar shampla: Saimbiach, Saimbéiseach, Súlú.  An dtuigeann tú iad?

One possibility would be Zuni, since the language is “Zúinis,” indicating that it hasn’t undergone the “z” to “s” switch.  But, creid nó ná creid é, all my searching in the usual places, online and in hard copy, fails to provide me with a single instance, in Irish, of the discussion of a Zuni person.  Going out on a limb, but pretty confidently, I’d imagine we could say “Zúineach” but until I see it elsewhere, I’ll leave that one as “tentative.”

Also, please note that most terms beginning with “J” in English will start with “I” or with “Se-“ or “Si” in Irish.  Can you find Jamaican and Japanese on this list?  Also, English initial “Chi-” will most likely be “Si” in Irish.  An bhfeiceann tú sampla thíos? 

Here’s a selection.  Any responses?  Can we add to our totals, which so far are just triúr.  Gágach!

Aetópach

Afracach

Beilgeach

Ceanadach

Danmhargach

Eilvéiseach

Fionlannach

Gearmánach

Haváíoch

Iamáiceach

Iodálach

Lochlannach (which could, of course, be subdivided, ach sin ábhar blag eile)

Meicsiceach

Nua-Shéalannach

Ostarach

Polannach

Sasanach

Seapánach

Síneach

Turcach

Ungárach

Víneach (that overlaps with Ostarach, but there’s not much choice for “v”)

W, X, Y: ní fheicim téarma ar bith

Z: féach thuas

And just for a little practice with séimhiú, remember “beirt Sheapánach,” “beirt Pholannach,” agus “beirt Fhionlannach.”  Remember why?  If not, stay tuned!

Oh, and btw, “gágach” is an adjective that happens to end in “-ach.”  It isn’t an ethnonym meaning someone from “Gaga” land, wherever that might be.  A Stiofáinín?

Gluaisín: gágach, thin, measly