Say ‘Pleeeeease’! (i nGaeilge) Posted by róislín on May 6, 2014
(le Róislín) I recently came across an interesting web page discussing the English word “please” (nasc thíos). It pointed out that “please” in English can be a verb, an adverb, and an interjection. Or to insinuate a few Irish grammar terms into this blog: briathar, dobhriathar, agus intriacht. It set me thinking (ní nach ionadh)…
Léinte, T-Léinte agus T-Léinte Snaidhmruaimnithe (and a few other types of shirts as well) Posted by róislín on Apr 30, 2014
(le Róislín) You may have seen the recent notice for Transparent Language’s t-shirt store, which includes the popular slogan “Keep Calm and Learn Irish.” Ever wonder how the word “t-shirt” evolved in English, and, even more to the point, how to say “t-shirt” in Irish? Fiosrach? Léigh leat! First, an Béarla, since the shirt’s origins…
More Month-of-May Motifs (i nGaeilge, ar ndóigh) Posted by róislín on Apr 27, 2014
(le Róislín) Is it the “merry month” of May or the “merry, merry month” of May? Is it “meidhreach” or “sona,” “croíúil” or “súgach? Or is it as in the traditional Irish phrase, “buí” (Mí Bhuí na Bealtaine)? We looked at all of those terms in the last blog (nasc thíos) but here’s a quick…
Merry, Month, May, and How to Say It All in Irish Posted by róislín on Apr 24, 2014
(le Róislín) As we approach Lá Bealtaine and mí na Bealtaine, it seems a good time to break apart the time-worn phrase “merry, merry month of May,” and see how these words appear in Irish. So we’ve got at least four words for “merry” plus a curious use of “buí,” one basic word for “month”…
Seacláid (Chocolate): An Bia Compoird Is Fearr? Posted by róislín on Apr 21, 2014
(le Róislín) During the Easter season, we can’t escape the promotion of “seacláid,” especially in the shape of “coiníní” and “uibheacha,” and, for those down under, “bilbithe,” as discussed in some previous blogs (naisc thíos). So let’s look at a few more terms related to “bia na ndéithe” (.i. seacláid, leis an leasainm bunaithe ar…
An Ghaeilge agus an Iodáilis: ‘Àbaco’ go ‘Zombi’ i nGaeilge Posted by róislín on Apr 16, 2014
(le Róislín) Bhí an bua ag an Iodáilis sa chomórtas ‘Buile Ilteangach’ (Multilingual Madness)! Comhghairdeas di agus dá foghlaimeoirí agus dá cainteoirí. So we’ll tip our ‘hataí’ here to ‘lucht na hIodáilise’ with a few Irish words related to ‘an Iodáil’ and ‘an teanga Iodáilise.’ Ar dtús, tíreolaíocht (geography) an Iodáil, (the) Italy. Note that…
From ‘Multilingual Madness’ to the ‘Siege Perilous’ via a Discussion of ‘Ord na bhFocal’ in Irish Posted by róislín on Apr 14, 2014
(le Róislín) Lately we’ve looked at the possibilities for saying “multilingual” and “madness” in Irish (ilteangach, buile, among other choices). The next question is how do we put the two words together. We’ll follow the typical word order in Irish, first noun, then adjective. This is the reverse of the normal word order in English…