There are two forms of the verb “to be” in Gaelic. One is the “is” form which is used above. The “is” form is primarily used to define what is being spoken about. (I define myself as being Iain . . .)
The second form is “tha”. The “tha” form is used primarily to describe, i.e.:
Tha mi gu math. ----- I am well. ----- I describe myself as being well.
Is mise Ealasaid. Tha mi gu math. ---- I define myself by the name of Elizabeth. I describe myself as being well.
Although it is necessary to introduce the “is” form for the sake of introductions, we will be dealing with the “tha” form for most of this module. The “is” form will be dealt with more fully in future lessons.
Cò tha sin? - Who is there?
Sin Eilidh. - That is Ellen (or Helen)
Cò a th’ ann? - Who is here?
(The word “ann” would be better translated as “present”, but we have used the colloquial translation here.)
Tha Seumas ann. - James is here.
Ciamar a tha sibh? - How are you ( plural and formal )
Tha mi gu math. - I am well.
Tha - Am
mi - I
Gu math - well
Chan eil mi gu math - I am not well.
Chan eil - am not
To say "thank you"
Tapadh leat - thank you (formal)
Tapadh leibh - thank you (formal and plural)
Notes on the Verb ‘To Be’
It is traditional for the second person asking “How are you? “ to ask, “How are you yourself? “: Ciamar a tha sibh p-fhéin? (or) Ciamar a tha thu fhéin?
Example:
Ciamar a tha thu? Tha mi gu math. Ciamar a tha thu fhéin?
Gaelic verbs do not conjugate in the present, past and future tenses as they do in English. Thus “tha” takes the place of “is“, “am” and “are”.
|
I am here: You are here: He is here: |
I am not here. She is not here: They are not here: |
| To ask where someone is from: | |
|
Where are you from? Where are you from? Where is James from? |
|
| To answer: | |
|
I am from Englishtown. I am from Goose Cove. James is from Kingstown |
|
Recap of Grammar Notes
1 - Gaelic has both a singular and a plural "you", the singular being "thu" and the plural being "sibh".
2 - Gaelic personal pronouns have emphatic forms to be used when emphasis on that particular word is desired.
3 - The word order in Gaelic is different from the English:
Gaelic: Verb first, followed by the subject, then the rest of the sentence
English: Subject first, verb second, then the rest
4 - Surnames in Gaelic often have specific meanings: Mac Dhòmhnaill = son of Donald, Mac Néìll = son of Neil. Thus, when the person speaking is a female, the first part of the name changes to Nic, meaning "daughter" e.g. - Nic Dhòmhnaill = daughter of Donald, Nic Nìll = daughter of Neil.
5 - There are two forms of the verb "to be" in Gaelic. The "is" form is used primarily to define; the "tha" form is used primarily to describe.
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
