{"id":3414,"date":"2012-10-28T23:34:42","date_gmt":"2012-10-28T23:34:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/irish\/?p=3414"},"modified":"2012-11-08T01:39:24","modified_gmt":"2012-11-08T01:39:24","slug":"uachtaran-the-irish-word-for-president-uachtar-upper-portion-cream-an-a-suffix","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/irish\/uachtaran-the-irish-word-for-president-uachtar-upper-portion-cream-an-a-suffix\/","title":{"rendered":"Uachtar\u00e1n: The Irish Word for “President” (uachtar, “upper portion, cream” + -\u00e1n, a suffix)"},"content":{"rendered":"

(le R\u00f3isl\u00edn)<\/strong><\/p>\n

I guess that “teideal an bhlag seo<\/strong>” pretty much explains the Irish word for president, “uachtar\u00e1n<\/strong>” [OO-ukh-tar-awn]. \u00a0“Uachtar<\/strong>” [OO-ukh-tar] actually means “upper portion,” widely used today to mean “cream” (as in “uachtar reoite<\/strong>,” ice-cream).\u00a0 That is, of course a throwback to the days before homaigini\u00fa<\/strong>, when the cream rose to the top of the milk bottle (and birds sometimes pecked through the foil bottle-top to get at it).\u00a0 C\u00e9 go fada \u00f3<\/strong>\u00a0chonaic m\u00e9 sin<\/strong>!<\/p>\n

In Irish, “an<\/strong>” (the definite article) precedes “uachtar\u00e1n<\/strong>” and other honorary titles.\u00a0 If the title begins with a vowel, like “uachtar\u00e1n,<\/strong>” a “t-” is prefixed, as in “an t-uachtar\u00e1n<\/strong>,” or, with someone’s name, “an tUachtar\u00e1n Kennedy<\/strong>,” etc. (gan fleisc\u00edn<\/strong>, without hyphen).\u00a0 \u00a0Similarly, we have “an Docht\u00fair Mac Giolla Dorcha<\/strong> (aka “an Docht\u00fair Kildare<\/strong>“), “an Docht\u00fair House<\/strong>,” “an Docht\u00fair Welby<\/strong>,” and “an Docht\u00fair Howser<\/strong>,” all, of course assuming that such cl\u00e1racha teilif\u00edse<\/strong> might be available as Gaeilge<\/strong>.\u00a0 Similarly, “an tAthair \u00d3 Murch\u00fa<\/strong>” (Father Murphy), an tSi\u00far Br\u00edd<\/strong> (Sister Bridget), etc.<\/p>\n

And what are some of the other words for heads of state or other dignitaries?<\/p>\n

In Ireland, “An Taoiseach<\/strong>” [un TEE-shukh].\u00a0 Traditionally this word meant “chieftain” in Irish, but in today’s political context, it refers to a government position similar to Prime Minister.\u00a0 This word “Taoiseach<\/strong>” is routinely used in Irish even when writing in English, as in “The Taoiseach says …”.\u00a0\u00a0 Although I’ve never had much reason to check out how the word “Taoiseach<\/strong>” might be embedded in other languages, I assume it remains in Irish, not translated or transliterated.\u00a0 And I’ve just found a few examples of such phrases to bear this out, such as “Le Taoiseach dit<\/em>” (Fraincis<\/strong>), “El propio Taoiseach dice<\/em>“ <\/em>(Sp\u00e1innis<\/strong>), and ” Bydd <\/em>y\u00a0Taoiseach yn<\/em>\u00a0<\/em>siarad am Ewrop<\/em>” (Breatnais<\/strong>), so I assume this holds true in all languages.<\/p>\n

Also specific to Ireland, “An T\u00e1naiste<\/strong>” [TAWN-ish-tchuh], deputy to the Taoiseach<\/strong> or “deputy prime minister.”\u00a0 Historically, “t\u00e1naiste<\/strong>” meant “tanist” or “heir presumptive.”\u00a0 The word shows up in some interesting, not-particularly-political idioms, such as “T\u00e1 s\u00e9 ag rith i dt\u00e1naiste a anama<\/strong>” (He’s running for dear life, lit. He is running in the “next-to” of his soul — very difficult to translate literally) or “Is \u00e9 an Solamh t\u00e1naiste \u00e9<\/strong>” (He’s a second Solomon).\u00a0 “T\u00e1naisteacht<\/strong>” is the system of “tanistry” (the choosing of an heir, as opposed to c\u00e9adghinteacht<\/strong>, primogeniture).\u00a0 The term and\/or concept appears in literature as diverse as Macbeth<\/em>, The Waste Land<\/em>, Joyce’s Ulysses<\/em>, and Tremayne’s Sister Fidelma novels.<\/p>\n

Pr\u00edomh-Aire<\/strong> [PRzhEEV-AHRzh-uh], a prime minister.\u00a0 “Aire<\/strong>” means “minister” in the context of politics and government, not in the religious context, where “ministir<\/strong>” is used.<\/p>\n

R\u00ed<\/strong>, king.\u00a0 In olden days, there was also an “ardr\u00ed<\/strong>” (angl. “ardree”) or “High King.”<\/p>\n

Banr\u00edon<\/strong>, queen, a compound word, with the prefix “ban<\/strong>-” (woman).\u00a0 This is a feminine noun, so, with the definite article, we say “an bhanr\u00edon<\/strong>” [un WAN-REE-uh-nuh], i.e. it’s lenited (b changes to bh, pronounced “w”)<\/p>\n

Prionsa<\/strong>, prince, although traditionally in Ireland, a king’s son was referred to as “mac r\u00ed<\/strong>,” literally “son of a king”.\u00a0 A crown prince is either a “prionsa cor\u00f3nach<\/strong>” or “r\u00eddhamhna<\/strong>” (the “makings” of a king, based on “damhn\u00fa<\/strong>,” to shape or form).<\/p>\n

Banphrionsa <\/strong>[BAHN-FRIN-suh], princess.\u00a0 This word is generally considered to be grammatically masculine because it is based on “prionsa<\/strong>” (prince) which is masculine.\u00a0 So we say, “an banphrionsa<\/strong>” when the word is the subject or direct object of a sentence (T\u00e1 an banphrionsa anseo; Cloisim an banphrionsa<\/strong>).\u00a0 The masculine aspect of the grammatical gender can also be seen in phrases such as “P\u00e1irc Chuimhneach\u00e1in an Bhanphrionsa Grace<\/strong>” (Princess Grace Memorial Park), where the word is lenited to show possession (X an bhanphrionsa<\/strong>, the princess’s X).\u00a0 A couple of banphrionsa\u00ed ficsean\u00fala<\/strong> would include An Banphrionsa Leia<\/strong> (as Coga\u00ed R\u00e9alta<\/em><\/strong>), Xena, Banphrionsa na Laoch (as an gcl\u00e1r eapainmneach), \u00a0An Banphrionsa Fi\u00f3na (as Shrek<\/em>)<\/strong>, and, to semi-coin a name, An Banphrionsa Fearb\u00f3ig\u00edn<\/strong> (as an leabhar An Bhr\u00eddeach-Bhanphrionsa <\/em>le <\/strong>William Goldman agus an scann\u00e1n; tuilleadh ar an bhfocal “Fearb\u00f3ig\u00edn” sa n\u00f3ta th\u00edos<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong>). \u00a0In Ireland, traditionally, a king’s daughter was referred to as an “in\u00edon r\u00ed<\/strong>” (king’s daughter), paralleling the use of “mac r\u00ed<\/strong>.”<\/p>\n

Getting back to “uachtar\u00e1n<\/strong>” itself, we’ll conclude with a few additional forms of the word:<\/p>\n

uachtar\u00e1in<\/strong>, of (a) president, sometimes translated as “presidential”<\/p>\n

na huachtar\u00e1in<\/strong>, the presidents<\/p>\n

na n-uachtar\u00e1n<\/strong>, of the presidents (not that we generally have more than one at a time, but we could use this phrase if they were convening, or some such situation.\u00a0 Sampla:\u00a0 “limis\u00edn\u00ed na n-uachtar\u00e1n”<\/strong> as opposed to “limis\u00edn an uachtar\u00e1in<\/strong>,” for just one president<\/p>\n

iaruachtar\u00e1n<\/strong>, past president; an t-iaruachtar\u00e1n<\/strong>, the past president; an tIarUachtar\u00e1n<\/strong> when capitalized (gan fleisc\u00edn<\/strong>).<\/p>\n

leasuachtar\u00e1n<\/strong>, vice-president, an leasuachtar\u00e1n; sampla: an Leasuachtar\u00e1n Biden<\/strong><\/p>\n

And where does an tUachtar\u00e1n<\/strong> live?\u00a0 In Ireland, it would be “\u00c1ras an Uachtar\u00e1in<\/strong>” (the President’s House\/Mansion).\u00a0 Sna St\u00e1it Aontaithe, ar nd\u00f3igh, “an Teach B\u00e1n”<\/strong> [un tchakh bawn], 1600 Ascaill Pennsylvania<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Sin \u00e9 don bhlag seo.\u00a0 S\u00e9as\u00far an toghch\u00e1in at\u00e1 ann, ceart go leor! SGF, R\u00f3isl\u00edn<\/strong><\/p>\n

N\u00f3ta faoin ainm “Fearb\u00f3ig\u00edn” <\/strong><\/strong>— I semi-coined this name based on the Irish word for “buttercup” (fearb\u00f3g). <\/strong> <\/strong>I added the “-\u00edn” <\/strong>ending since the resulting word, Fearb\u00f3ig\u00edn,\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong>\u00a0sounded more like a girl”s name that way and since the suffix can be added to almost any noun or name in Irish (e.g.S\u00e9amais\u00edn<\/strong>) <\/strong><\/strong>or even in Hiberno-English (e.g. houseen). \u00a0<\/strong><\/strong>At least,\u00a0DRMBANSM (de r\u00e9ir mo bhar\u00fala, ach n\u00ed saoi m\u00e9<\/strong>,<\/strong><\/strong> i.e. IMHO),\u00a0“Fearb\u00f3ig\u00edn<\/strong>“<\/strong><\/strong> sounds more name-like than just “Fearb\u00f3g.”<\/strong><\/p>\n

At least “Fearb\u00f3ig\u00edn” <\/strong><\/strong>sounds more appealing than “An Banphrionsa Crobh\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong>Pr\u00e9ach\u00e1in,” <\/strong><\/strong>which would mean “Princess Crow-talon,” instead of “Princess Buttercup,” paralleling the \u00a0plant name “crowfoot,” which is more or less the same as buttercup.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

(le R\u00f3isl\u00edn) I guess that “teideal an bhlag seo” pretty much explains the Irish word for president, “uachtar\u00e1n” [OO-ukh-tar-awn]. \u00a0“Uachtar” [OO-ukh-tar] actually means “upper portion,” widely used today to mean “cream” (as in “uachtar reoite,” ice-cream).\u00a0 That is, of course a throwback to the days before homaigini\u00fa, when the cream rose to the top of…<\/p>\n

Continue Reading<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"author":36,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":""},"categories":[3898],"tags":[255141,255160,255142,255140,9037,255152,3153,255159,255156,5187,255158,1101,255146,255139,255143,255150,255138,255148,255144,96405,255136,2422,34605,255151,255155,255147,11,255153,255157,255137,13470,229794,7218,255135,255145,255161,255149],"class_list":["post-3414","post","type-post","status-publish","hentry","category-irish-language","tag-alt","tag-an-bhrideach-bhanphrionsa","tag-an-dochtuir","tag-an-t-uachtaran","tag-banphrionsa","tag-buttercup","tag-definite-article","tag-fearboigin","tag-fictional","tag-fiona","tag-grace","tag-house","tag-howser","tag-iaruachtaran","tag-kildare","tag-laoch","tag-leasuachtarain","tag-leia","tag-mac-giolla-dorcha","tag-monaco","tag-past-president","tag-president","tag-princess","tag-princess-bride","tag-princesses","tag-prionsa","tag-pronunciation","tag-shrek","tag-tanaiste","tag-taoiseach","tag-the","tag-uachtar","tag-uachtaran","tag-vice-president","tag-welby","tag-william-goldman","tag-xena"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/irish\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3414","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/irish\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/irish\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/irish\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/36"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/irish\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3414"}],"version-history":[{"count":23,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/irish\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3414\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3437,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/irish\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3414\/revisions\/3437"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/irish\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3414"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/irish\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3414"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/irish\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3414"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}