Grammar is an important part of any language and Irish is no different. The following are a few of the key grammar rules when it comes to speaking Irish:
• Verb conjugation: All Irish verbs must be conjugated depending on the person and mood. This means you must change the verb’s endings to form past, present and future tenses, as well as to indicate different levels of politeness.
• Article usage: In Irish, the articles ‘a’, ‘an’ and ‘the’ are used to preface nouns, just like in English. However, the rules for article usage vary - for example, when speaking about feminine nouns, you would use ‘an’ instead of ‘a’.
• Pronunciation: Irish pronunciation is quite different from English. For example, the ‘s’ sound is pronounced as ‘sh’ in many words; for instance, seisc (six) is pronounced ‘sheeshk’. Additionally, many of the letters in Irish are written with accents, like the fada.
• Special expressions: The Irish language is also full of special expressions which are used in various situations. Paidreacha, for example, are special sayings that express a certain feeling or sentiment. These often contain interesting puns and wordplay, and are a great way to get your Irish soul into the conversation.
These are just a few of the grammar rules in Irish. To learn more, take a class or look up a good Irish grammar book or online resource. A fascinating language, Irish is sure to provide many hours of entertainment and education!
