Tag Archives: vocative
Saying ‘Hi’ to Aoife or Tadhg in Irish: Direct Address Forms for Names in the New Video ‘When You Order Coffee with an Irish Name’ Posted by róislín on Aug 19, 2018
(le Róislín) Names like “Caoimhe” or “Bláthnaid” may seem unusual to people outside Ireland or the growing “cibear-Ghaeltacht.” And this may include baristas ar fud an domhain (around the world), or everywhere the Irish diaspora has spread. This issue was dealt with delightfully in the new video ‘When You Order Coffee with an Irish Name,’ which…
Téarmaí Turcaí (Turkey Terms in Irish): Wattles, Caruncles and Snoods — Oh My! Posted by róislín on Nov 16, 2017
(le Róislín) Well, the picture above may look like an Ood from Doctor Who, but this actually is a well-wattled turkey, so it will contribute to our seasonal “téama Lá an Altaithe.” “Lá an Altaithe” is “Thanksgiving.” We’ve looked at basic turkey terminology in various previous posts, so this one will look at three specific…
Harry Potter agus an Órchloch: Sraith Ócáideach d’Fhocail Shuimiúla sa Leagan Gaeilge (Cuid 2: pleidhce nó amadán nó pleidhce amadáin?) Posted by róislín on Jan 19, 2017
(le Róislín) Which word would you pick to call someone a fool in Irish — amadán or pleidhce? Or would you opt for the double whammy — pleidhce amadáin? All of these appear in Harry Potter agus an Órchloch, the Irish translation by Máire Nic Mhaoláin, not too surprisingly since the kids are fairly fond…
Five More Irish Names for Boys – Seán, Séamas, Seosamh, Liam, Mícheál, Pt. 3: Liam, Mícheál Posted by róislín on Apr 14, 2016
(le Róislín) Continuing our coverage of Irish personal names, this blogpost will look at “Liam” and “Mícheál.” Bhí na hainmneacha “Seán” agus “Séamas” agus “Seosamh” sna blagmhíreanna roimhe seo. The good news for the name “Liam” is that there are no spelling changes with this word (i.e. no inserted “h’s” or “i’s”). So the forms…
Ó ‘Uncail Oscar’ go garmhac Fhionn Mhic Cumhaill: The Irish Roots of the Name ‘Oscar’ Posted by róislín on Feb 25, 2015
(le Róislín) Hmm, I was going to continue writing about “bombogenesis” and the guairneáin associated with aimsir gheimhriúil, but the timely topic of the Oscars was too tempting! The last blog (nasc thíos) addressed that subject, and we’ll return to it in another blog or two. So, “Oscar” was the grandson of Fionn Mac Cumhaill and…
An Tuiseal Gairmeach sa Ghaeilge: Dealing with Nouns of Direct Address in Irish Posted by róislín on Feb 11, 2014
(le Róislín) “A Shéamais!” “A Shinéad!” “A chuisle!” “A stór!” “A óinseach!” “A amadáin!” What do all these Irish phrases have in common? The vocative particle “a,” which has no exact equivalent in English. In addition to being used with terms of endearment, as discussed in the most recent blog (nasc thíos), this particle is…
Oh, Man! ‘Fear,’ ‘Fir,’ ‘Fhir,’ and ‘bhFear,’ (How to say ‘man’ and ‘men’ in Irish) Posted by róislín on Jan 9, 2014
(le Róislín) Since Nollaig na mBan on January 6th gave us the opportunity to discuss the Irish word for ‘woman,’ we might as well follow up with the word for ‘man.’ First, let me clarify that this blog will discuss ‘man’ (fear) as opposed to woman (bean), not “man” as opposed to the following: plants…