Irish Lesson 56
Irish Lesson 56
PRONUNCIATION
The letter group "ai" in an accented syllable can have the sound (a) as in English "at" or (ah) as in English "Ah-hah". "Ai" at the beginning of a word often has the (a) sound, as in:
ait (at), strange; aingeal (ANG-uhl), angel; aibí(A-bee), ripe.
A few words, such as "aige" (eg-E), at him, and "air" (er), on him, are exceptions. "Aimsir" (EYEM-sheer), weather, is another exception in parts of Ireland. In other parts it is pronounced (AM-sheer).
When an accented "ai" follows the consonant b, c, f, g, m, p, it often takes an (ah) sound. You have learned this in these words:
baile (BAHL-e), home; cailín (kah-LEEN), girl; faire (FAH-re), watching; gairid (GAH-rid), short; maith (mah), good; paidir (PAHD-ir), prayer.
When accented "ai" follows d, l, n, r, s, t, it often takes the (a) sound. Examples are:
daingean (DANG-uhn), fortress
laisteas (LASH-tuhs); laisteas de, south of
naipcín (nap-KEEN), napkin
raidis (RA-dish), radish
saileach (SAL-uhk*), willow
taispeáin (tash-PAW*-in); taispeáin domé, show me it
The groups "aibh, aidh, aigh" are often pronounced (eye) when in an accented or initial syllable, as in:
saibhir (SEYE-vir), rich
aidhm (eyem), aim
saighdiúir (seye-DYOO-ir), soldier
GRAMMAR
The preposition "de" means "off" or sometimes "of". It also serves in some common idioms, such as, "Táim buíoch (BWEE-uhk*) de Sheán", I am thankful to John. "De" aspirates the first consonant of the next word. If "an, the", comes between, the "an" combines with the "da", and aspiration occurs after the combination. An example: Thit séden chapall (hit shay* den K*AHP-uhl), he fell off the horse.
With pronouns, I, you, he, etc., "de" combines to form single words. Learn these:
díom (DEE-uhm), off me
díot (DEE-uht), off you
de (de), off him
di (dee), off her
dínn (deen), off us
díbh (deev), off you (plural)
díobh (DEE-uhv), off them
"De" means "of" in expressions such as:
ceann díobh (kyoun DEE-uhv), one of them
píosa den arán (PEES-uh den uh-RAW*N), a piece of bread
an chuid is mó(k*wid is moh) den pháipéar, most of the paper
Examples of idioms that contain "de" are:
Fiafraigh de cábhfuil Seán (FEE-uh-ree de kaw* vwil shaw*n), Ask him where John is.
Tásébuíoch díot, He is thankful to you.
Táim tuirseach de (TAW*-im toor-SHAHK* de), I am tired of it.
De lóis d'oíche (de loh is DEE-huh), day and night.
De ghnábh (de GNAW*), usually.
DRILL
This is a recognition review of the irregular verbs in present, past, and future tenses. Read the sentences aloud. Do not translate word for word; instead, try to picture the meaning. If you do not remember what some words mean, wait until you have finished all the sentences before you look at the translation below.Nár chualamar Séamas ag teacht isteach? Nífhaca séa athair ag dul suas an staighre. Béarfaidh siad ar an gcéad léine a fheicfidh siad. Téim go dtían siopa timpeall a séa chlog. An dtiocfaidh séabhaile leat? Nach dtagaimid tríd an tollán agus sinn ag teacht chuig an chathair? Rinneamar rudéigin le tabhairt dó. Nídúirt sílinn go bhfuair síbord nua.Íosfaidh sibh bhur lón ag baile. Gheobhaidh túgloine bainne ar ball. Chonaic ména madraíag rith síos an tsráid.Translation: Didn't we hear James coming in? He didn't see his father going up the stairs. They will grab the first shirt that they see. I go to the store around six o'clock. Will he come home with you? Don't we come through the tunnel when we come to the city? We made something to give to him. She didn't tell us that she got a new table. You will eat your lunch at home. You will get a glass of milk soon. I saw the dogs running along the street.
REFLEX EXPRESSIONS
Learn these expressions for use in conversation"
Déan deifir (day*n DE-fir), Hurry up!
Abairé(AH-bir ay*), You said it! Certainly! I agree. (Means "Say it", literally.)
Ar mhaith leat ____ ? (er VWAH lat), would you like ____ ? For example, Ar mhaith leat cupán tae?, Would you like a cup of tea?
Ar ndóigh (er NOH-ee), of course.
CONVERSATION
Form answers or replies to each of these sentences assumed spoken to you. Make your answers as long as possible without prolonged pauses.Dia, dhuit, a Shéamais. Conas tátú? Cábhfuil túag dul? Bhíméann inné. An rachaidh túgo hÉirinn go luath? Nach bhfuil tútuirseach anois? Cathain a imeoidh túanocht? Cén t-ainm atáair?
In each case, try to introduce some of the reflex expressions that you have learned. Keep each sentence of a long answer short.