Tag Archives: dog
How to Say ‘Multilingual Madness’ in Irish (Cuid 2/2) Posted by róislín on Apr 6, 2014
(le Róislín) In the last blog, we looked at the word “multilingual” in Irish and discussed “ilteangach” and “ilbhéarlach” as the choices. Both use the prefix “il-” (“many;” also found in words like “ilghuthach” and “ilstórach“). “Teangach,” as the core of the word “ilteangach,” is, of course, from “teanga” (tongue), and “-bhéarlach” (lenited after…
Beirt Naomh Mhí na Feabhra: Naomh Bríd agus San Vailintín Posted by róislín on Feb 3, 2014
(le Róislín) Irish has two words for “saint.” I wonder if any other language is similar in this regard, but for now, we’ll just look at the two Irish words, “naomh” and “san.” For most purposes, they are not interchangeable. February celebrates both “Naomh Bríd” and “San Vailintín,” so let’s look at why they have…
Saol an Mhadaidh Bháin — The (Good) Life of the White Dog Posted by róislín on May 8, 2012
(le Róislín) Last blog we looked at the expression “ar muin (ar dhroim) na muice” (being “on the pig’s back,” i.e. well off). The blog before that also referred to several other examples of figurative speech, including “madraí bána.” As with the ‘dromanna muc” (or “muiní muc”), that general reference to “madraí bána” was in…
An Dara Díochlaonadh, Firinscneach: Lambs of Butter, Mountains of Butter Posted by róislín on Apr 15, 2011
(le Róislín) Second-declension nouns — mostly feminine, right? Right! Mar shampla: spúnóg, bróg, ubh, feirm. Tuiseal ginideach, uatha? Sodhéanta: spúnóige, bróige, uibhe, feirme, etc. I mentioned in an earlier blog that at least two 2nd-declension nouns are masculine, “im” and “sliabh.” Let’s start with “im” (butter), if for no other reason than that it has…
Ceiliúradh Lá na Saoirse sna Stáit Aontaithe (Independence Day) Posted by róislín on Jul 7, 2009
(le Róislín) Here are some of na himeachtaí (the events) that typically happen ar Lá na Saoirse: 1. Beárbaiciú: borgairí, brocairí teo, borgairí soighe do na veigeatóirí Curiously, at least to me, the Irish for “hot dog” isn’t based on the word “dog,” (which would be “madra”), but on “brocaire” (a terrier). 2…
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…