Tag Archives: ghlas
Nature Words in Irish, pt. 6: Ferret to Herring (following ‘acorn’ to ‘crocus’) Posted by róislín on Oct 31, 2019
(le Róislín) If you’ve been following this blog series, you probably know the drill by now. The last few blog posts in this series have featured Irish words for nature terms, ranging so far from “acorn” to “crocus.” What’s special about these particular words? They are the Irish equivalents of the 50 or so nature…
Comhuaineach, Grafaic, Lóistíocht, Próiseáil, Veicteoireach: Some Irish Vocabulary from the Previous Blog Posted by róislín on May 21, 2017
(le Róislín) Most of the time my interest in Irish vocabulary leans more to the traditional, like words for “potato ridges” (iomairí prátaí), dibbers (stibhíní), spinning jennies (sinéidíní), or querns (brónna). But the most recent blog (nasc thíos) introduced a few more contemporary terms which may relate to occupations and technologies we see today. In…
Deich gCineál Laghairteanna i nGaeilge (Irish Names for 10 Types of Lizards) Posted by róislín on Nov 12, 2015
(le Róislín) Our recent blog (nasc thíos) about sprochaillí (such as wattles on turkey and dewlaps on other animals) happened to mention the word “laghairt” (lizard), pronounced “lyrtch” (or, in full Irish-modified IPA: /lairt΄/). The “y” in the rough transcription is like the “y” in “my” or “fly” and the /ai/ in the IPA transcription…
10 Ways to Describe “Seamróga” (Shamrocks) in Irish Posted by róislín on Mar 8, 2014
(le Róislín) As we approach Lá Fhéile Pádraig (aka “Lá ‘le Pádraig” and “St. Patrick’s Day”), our thoughts naturally turn to “seamróga” (shamrocks). How many ways can we think of to describe them? We’ll try for at least ten in this blog. Maybe some readers will have some more suggestions. A key thing to remember…
More Green Ideas, Mostly _Not_ Colorless (Sorry, Chomsky!) Posted by róislín on Mar 31, 2013
(le Róislín) The color “green” is such an interesting topic, I’m reluctant to stop quite yet, even after having written several blogs on it. Today we’ll start out with some common and some not-so-common examples of “green” in Irish, and end up, out on a limb (verdant, no doubt) discussing “colorless green.” If that last…
Beoir: Uaine nó Glas nó Ceachtar? (Beer: Green/Uaine or Green/Glas or Neither?) Posted by róislín on Mar 22, 2013
(le Róislín) Our last blog primarily covered the actual history of St. Patrick and his name. This blog will take a lighter-hearted look at some St. Patrick’s Day imagery, namely the much-maligned-but-nevertheless-consumed green beer. I’m refraining from value judgments on the topic (unlike many of the online commentators!), but am primarily interested in whether people…
Lá Fhéile Pádraig! Posted by róislín on Mar 12, 2009
(le Róislín) As you might have guessed, the title phrase above means “St. Patrick’s Day,” a good time for launching this “blag nua” (new blog). Remember that in pronunciation, the “fh” of the word “Fhéile” is completely silent. For that reason, you sometimes see the phrase written as “Lá ‘Éile Pádraig,” dropping the “fh” entirely. …