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`There is no nation without a language' The great thing about Modern Irish Gaelic orthography is that it doesn't present the complete beginner with any really nasty surprises, once he/she has mastered a few very simple rules. It may look very odd on the screen at first (particularly to someone whose only language is English) but it really does match reasonably closely the sounds it is meant to represent! Here are some of the commonest sounds a beginner needs to tackle first:
� is pronounced as in English word "drawl" Dead easy, so far? Then read on:
fh in most cases has no sound, so
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As in other countries, Ireland has many different greetings which are used, depending on the occasion and the part of country you are in. In the following examples the greeting is listed first, and then the appropriate reply is listed underneath. A literal translation is given on the right hand side. |
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Dia duit | God to you. |
Dia is Muire duit | God and Mary to you. (reply) |
Go mbeanna� Dia duit | May God bless you. |
Go mbeanna� Dia is Muire duit | May God and Mary bless you. |
Bail � Dhia ort | The blessing of God on you. |
Bail � Dhia is Mhuire duit | The blessing of God and Mary on you. |
Cad � mar a t� t�? | How are you? (T�r Chonaill) |
C�n chaoi 'bhfuil t� ? | How are you? (Connacht) |
Conas at� t� ? | How are you? (Momhan) |
T� m� go maith. | I'm doing well. |
Sl�n leat | Good Bye (said to the person leaving) |
Sl�n agat | Good Bye (said to the one remaining) |
For the following greetings Gurab amhlaidh duit (The same to you) is a common reply; | |
O�che mhaith (duit) | Good night |
Codladh s�mh (duit) | A pleasant sleep |
Nollaig shona duit | Happy Christmas |
Nollaig faoi sh�an is faoi mhaise duit | A prosperous and pleasant Christmas |
Athbhliain faoi mhaise duit | A prosperous new year |
Terms Of Endearment
The following are the terms that are most commonly used when talking to your loved ones. They are even more common in letters. |
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a ghr� a r�n a st�r a thaisce a chro� a chuisle mo chro� | ... my dear darling / love / treasure |
muirn�n leann�n c�adsearc | ... sweetheart |
a ghr� mo chro� | ... love of my heart |
Curses in any language should be used with care. The same applies here. |
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Imeacht gan teacht ort. | May you leave without returning. |
Titim gan �ir� ort. | May you fall without rising. |
Go n-ithe an cat th� is go n-ithe an diabhal an cat. | May the cat eat you, and may the cat be eaten by the devil. |
Seanfhocal
Some of the best and most culturally rich Irish is to be found in the old Irish proverbs. (Seanfhocal) |
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N�l aon tint�an mar do thint�an f�in. | There's no place like home. |
Scileann f�on f�rinne. | Lit. Wine lets out the truth. |
Is fear rith maith n� drochsheasamh. | A good run is better than a bad stand. |
Fillean meal ar an meallaire. | Evil returns to the evil doer. |
Aithn�onn c�ar�g c�ar�g eile. | Lit. One beetle recognices another beetle |
N� h� l� na gaoithe l� na scolb. | A windy day is not the day to be fixing your thatch (roof). |
N� bac le mac an bhacaigh is n� bacfaidh mac an bhacaigh leat. | Don't bother with the beggars son and he won't bother with you. |
Nuair at� an cat amuigh b�onn na luch ag damhsa. | When the cat is away, the mice will play. (Lit dance) |
Meallan muilte D� go mall ach meallan siad go mion. | God's mill may grind slowly, but it grinds finely. |
Miscellaneous
This is a collection of the bits and pieces that did not fit in anywhere else. |
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Maith th� | Well done / Way to go etc. |
Sl�inte | Cheers. |
Sl�inte chugat | Good health to you. |
Go raimh maith agat | Thanks. |
Go dtaga do r�ocht | May thy kingdom come. |
N�r laga Dia do l�mh | May God not weaken your hand. |
Gura sl�n an sc�alai | May the bearer of the news be safe. |
Gurab amhlaidh duit | The same to you. |
T� failte romhat | You are welcome. |
Gabhaim pard�n agat | I beg your pardon. |
Gabh mo leithsc�al | Pardon me (Lit. Accept my excuse). |
M�s � do thoil � | If you please. |
Le do thoil | Please. |
Saol fada chugat | Long life to you. |
Common Phrases in Gaeilge |
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