Tag Archives: Celtic
Na Míonna, Na Mìosan, Ny Meeghyn (in Irish, Scottish Gaelic, and Manx), Cuid 4 as 4 Posted by róislín on Sep 27, 2012
(le Róislín) Gotta love the etymology–each one of these months could be a blog in and of itself! But for now, I’ll post this as a summary chart, with some notes for each month below. The Irish is still on the far left, the Scottish Gaelic next, the English meaning next, and finally related words…
Ainmneacha na Míonna i nGaeilge (Names of the Months in Irish) Posted by róislín on Sep 6, 2011
(le Róislín) We’ve discussed the Irish names of various months as this blog has continued, but this might be a good time to go over the liosta as a whole. First let’s look at “Meán Fómhair” (September). By the way, if this is a new term for you, or if you’re new to the list…
The Curious Case of Dúitseach-Ollannach-Ísiltíreach (An Afterthought re: Logainmneacha) Posted by róislín on Aug 2, 2011
(le Róislín) After all this talk in recent blogs about singulars and plurals, and “sa’s” and “san’s” and “sna’s,” one might wonder, what’s the deal with “the Netherlands” – in Irish, of course. Perhaps all the more so since there are some ancient Celtic connections to the area now known as the Netherlands, like the…
Samhain (November 1st) and Lá Caille (January 1st): Two New Years! Posted by róislín on Oct 27, 2010
(le Róislín) I suppose one could see this as an opportunity for two ways of celebrating the New Year. The traditional Celtic New Year was November 1st, recognized as Samhain [SOW-in] but not celebrated today as the official New Year. The January 1st version of New Year’s Day is Lá Caille (lit. day of Calends)…
Táirge Gearrshaolach Guinness – An Cuimhin Leat É? Ar Bhlais Tú É? Posted by róislín on Sep 28, 2009
I’m still mulling over some good descriptions of Guinness in Irish and the one that comes first to mind, in English, doesn’t seem to exactly fit in Irish. “Mellow” could be “méith” or “súmhar” or “maothlach” or “lánaibí.” But these could also mean “fertile,” “succulent,” mushy,” or “fully ripe/mature,” in that order, and none of…
Dogs and Daideonna (Grandads) in Direct Address “i nGaeilge” – agus Mamónna Freisin (and Grandmoms too) Posted by róislín on Jun 8, 2009
(le Róislín) This is mostly for active Irish-speakers and learners, but might be of interest more broadly, given how many people write on the Internet about how kids can say “grandmother” and “grandfather” in a less formal way (pop-pop, meemaw, etc.). Also, more than a few people talk to their dogs! If you’re talking directly…
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…