Book 2:
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Preface
Phonetics

Dictionary

exercise XLVII

§ 283. Sound of BH and MH continued

As we have seen, ḃ and ṁ at the end of words are sounded as v, as láṁ (Lauv), the hand; naoṁ (Naev), a saint. When a termination is added to such words, the v sound remains, as láṁa (Lauv'- ă), hands; naoṁṫa (Naev/-hă), sanctified.

§ 284. But as a rule, ḃ and ṁ broad, anywhere except at the end of words, are sounded like w.

§ 285. This w sound unites with the previous vowel sound; thus, aḃ, aṁ are sounded like (ou) in our phonetic key; oḃ, oṁ, like (ō); uḃ, uṁ are like (oo); eaḃ, eaṁ like (ou).

aḃ, aṁ in Ulster = ō, in parts of Munster = oo.

§ 286 Words

§287. Translate into English

• Ḃí muilionn ar an aḃainn, agus ḃí Dóṁnall ag obair ins an muilionn.
• Fuair Dómhnall ubhall ins an eorna, ins an muilionn ar an abhainn.
• Atá iasgaire ag suibhal síos do’n abhainn anois.
• Atá an gabha ag obair ins an muilionn.
• Cuir do leabhar in do phóca.
• Thug Diarmuid an leabhar do Niall.
• Ní fhuair sé leabhar ar bith uiam.
• Fosgail an leabhar mór.
• Ní raibh an muilionn ag obair, bhí an abhainn gan uisge.

§ 288. Translate into Irish

• There is a large salmon below in the river.
• Donal did not get a salmon in the river, he got a little trout from the fisherman.
• There is an apple growing above at the door.
• There are a cow and a goat below in the meadow.
• I have not a book in my bag, my book is in the barn.
• A thousand welcomes to you!
• There is not any blacksmith (gaḃa ar biṫ) in the place.
• The blacksmith gave no help to Niall.
• The story is not in the book.

note that
phonetic
symbols
are not
necessarily pronounced
as in English

See § 13-16