Tag Archives: lenition
Ten Irish Phrases for Snowflake and Whether They Use ‘Sneachta’ or ‘Shneachta’ Posted by róislín on Feb 28, 2019
(le Róislín) I have to admit that I was surprised at how many Irish words for “snowflake” I found as I researched the previous blog (nasc thíos). Before we move on to some other topics, I thought it would be good to review them one more time, looking specifically at how to say “a snowflake”…
How to say “Merry Christmas” and “Happy New Year” in Irish AND Five Examples of Lenition (Séimhiú), to boot Posted by róislín on Dec 24, 2018
(le Róislín) Around this time of year, we often see the phrases “Nollaig Shona” and “Athbhliain faoi shéan agus faoi mhaise duit.” Today’s blogpost will look at how to pronounce these phrases and at the reasons why words like “sona” and “bliain” change to “shona” and “bhliain.” This change of the first letter is called…
Ar ‘muin’ or ‘mhuin’ or ‘dhroim’ na muice: an Irish expression for “in luck” Posted by róislín on Nov 26, 2017
(le Róislín) This blogpost will attempt to answer a question raised by reader Fergal on November 7, 2017, in response to the blogpost of May 5th, 2012, which was “Ar Dhroim (Ar Muin) na Muice: Not Quite The Same as “High on the Hog” (nasc thíos). He asked, “If droim is lenited ‘ar dhroim….’ why…
Cén fhéile? Cén deoch? (An Irish Language Guide to Beverages and When to Drink Them) Part / Cuid 1 Posted by róislín on Mar 7, 2017
(le Róislín) While many beverages can readily be drunk all year around (piontaí Guinness ina measc), some are particularly associated with certain holidays or seasons. Today’s blogpost will start a mini-series about beverages and some special days they are most associated with. We’ll look at the beverages in seasonal order, starting with mí an Mhárta…
Leasmhac, Leasiníon, Leas-siblíní and the hypothetical Irish (or Martian) Leas-Taoiseach Posted by róislín on Nov 25, 2016
(le Róislín) The last entry (for now, at least), in our “leas-” terms series will cover the words “leasmhac” (stepson) and “leasiníon” (stepdaughter). Probably, in fact, these words will be more applicable for a lot of readers than some of the other “leas-” terms (like “Leas-PhríomhLeabharlannaí” — remember that one? If not, please see below). …
Deich bhFrása Shuimiúla as Alt Uí Mhuirthile (‘Saoirí Samhraidh’ san Irish Times), Cuid 1 Posted by róislín on Jul 25, 2016
(le Róislín) In the most recent blogpost, we looked at how the word ‘samhradh‘ appeared in four different ways in an “An Peann Coitianta” column from the Irish Times (naisc thíos). Even as I was focusing on those four forms (samhradh, samhraidh, an tsamhraidh, samhraí), I kept thinking, “This article is full of great phrases…
Five More Irish Names for Boys – Seán, Séamas, Seosamh, Liam, Mícheál, Pt. 2: Séamas, Seosamh Posted by róislín on Apr 10, 2016
(le Róislín) Continuing our coverage of Irish personal names, this blogpost will look at “Séamas” and “Seosamh.” Beidh na hainmneacha “Liam” agus “Mícheál” sa chéad bhlagmhír eile. “Séamas” and “Seosamh” make an interesting pair, pronunciation-wise, because even though they both start with the same letter, a slender “s,” in their basic form, the sounds vary…