Something I see very often from beginner learners is misuse of the verb "tha". I just learned something that might be helpful in avoiding these mistakes.
It is unhelpful to thing of the verb "tha" as being like the English verb "to be". You would struggle to translate "I think, therefore I am" ("je pense, donc je suis" in the original French) using tha (except in a roundabout way using ann). And you definitely struggle with things like "She is the queen." or "It is a dog". Because this verb is not about your "state of being", or what or who you are at all.
Apparently, it started off as a verb more used for expressing the location of someone or something (where it/they stood).
So:
"Tha + [SUBJECT] + [PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE]." makes sense and derives from original meaning and usage to tell you where the subject is.
This also includes present tense of verbs and some other verb forms using the verbal noun, because Gaelic just expresses these with a prepositional phrase, e.g.:
"ag ionnsachadh" = at studying
It also has come to be used with:
"Tha + [SUBJECT] + [ADJECTIVE PHRASE]." to describe the subject.
If you want to say what or who someone or something is by equating nouns or pronouns, this will never work with a verb that is only about telling you about where nouns are or what they are like! For that, go and learn about "Is".
[NOTE 1]: A prepositional phrase is anything starting with a preposition:
ag ionnsachadh - studying
aig an sgoil - at school
anns an àmhainn - in the oven
còmhla ri caraid - with a friend
[NOTE 2]: An adjective phrase is anything that acts as a simple descriptor of a person or thing denoted by a noun or pronoun:
dearg - red
fìor mhath - really good
uabhasach mòr - hugely big / massive
beag bìodach - teeny tiny
glè chudromach - very important
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Just remember, the proper verb "to be" in Gaelic is the verb "Is". Here are some cognates with present tense conjugations of the same verb in other languages:
Is - Gaelic
is - English
ist - German
est - French
est - Latin
es - Spanish
Any time you need to say:
it is a horse
she is an expert
Elizabeth is the Queen
James was the King
I am Iain
You are Mòrag
of anything of this kind, the easiest and most direct way is to use the verb "Is", just as you would say very similar in other languages:
Charles is the Prince
Is Teàrlach am Prionnsa
Charles est le Prins
Karl ist der Fürst
Charles es el Principe
Perhaps unsurprising that even the grammar for that is pretty comparable across these different languages, as that verb is truly ancient and we all got it in pretty much any Western European language (except Basque, the one which is unrelated to all the rest).
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Biggest use of Is is connecting and equating nouns.
There are lots of other uses too in slightly more advanced idiomatic Gaelic. This is actually massive fun. Perhaps you saw "is toil leam / leat / leis / le + noun etc." This is just the start of such things.
"Is" is wonderful for making really strong, definite statements. And it's because it goes right to the heart of what things are, not just where they are!
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the verb tha really only does a small part of the functions done by "to be" in English. And not the central thing about being done particular thing.
It only ever gets used for telling you WHERE something is, WHAT IT'S LIKE, or WHAT IT'S DOING.
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You need to use other resources to understand grammar better. There are several good course books that introduce this. I used "Gaelic in 12 Weeks". Not a thrilling read, but very useful.
Back to basics of "to be" in Gaelic:
We have two verbs used for different aspects of what is covered by one verb in English.
"Bi" is used to describe a noun or pronoun, for instance its location (with a prepositional phrase), its qualities (with adjectives) or its activity (with a prepositional phrase). There will only ever be one straight noun in such a phrase, which will be the subject. Any other nouns will be after prepositions.
Tha an cat geal = the cat is white
Bha an t-eun air craobh - the bird was on a tree
Tha an cù a' ruith = the dog is running
"Is" is used to define a noun or pronoun, often by equivalence to another noun.
'S e cù a th' ann = it is a dog
'S e tidsear a th' innte = she is a teacher
Is Teàrlach an Rìgh = Charles is the King
These phrases denote some sense of permanence and the very essence or nature of someone or something
But you can also use a prepositional way to describe professions or roles, using ann an + personal possessive pronoun:
Tha mi nam ollaimh = I am in my lecturer = I am a lecturer
Bha m' athair na phoidhleat = my father was a pilot (but clearly isn't any more - not permanent)
These perhaps stress that it is a role that someone is fulfilling, but with less of a sense of permanence
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t- adds to the front of words for:
Masculine nouns beginning with a vowel in nominative only
An t-òran
Anns an òran
Faclan an òrain
Feminine nouns in nominative and prepositional, and masculine nouns in prepositional and genitive when they start with s+ vowel/l/n/r
An t-slighe
An t-sràid
Anns an t-srath
Air feadh an t-saoghail
Coire an t-sìthean
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Pre-nominal adjectives form a small, closed 'set' in Gaelic. They cover basic semantic domains only. Here are the criteria for them:
1 they precede the noun (obviously)
2 they cause lenition, where possible
3 they cannot be predicative, comparative or superlative
4 semantics permitting, they can precede another pre-nominal adjective
5 the following noun may bear independent stress
6 they often neutralise gender and case in the article
7 they form close associations with particular nouns, other adjectives and some verbs
And here are the 12 adjectives that match these criteria:
aon(a) ‘one, identical’
ath ‘next’
ceart ‘exact’
corra ‘occasional’
deagh ‘good’
dearbh ‘identical’
droch ‘bad’
fìor ‘true, pure’
ioma(dh) ‘many’
sean(n) ‘old’
sàr ‘excellent’
sìor ‘constant’
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ChatGPT had a similar answer to what u/An_Daolag wrote:
The reason some feelings in Scottish Gaelic are expressed with the sense of something external on the person, while others are just described as a state, is rooted in how Gaelic views certain sensations or conditions.
External versus Internal States: Gaelic often treats certain emotions and physical sensations, like hunger, thirst, or cold, as if they are external forces acting on a person. These states are often experienced as something that happens to you rather than something that you are. This is why hunger ("acras") or thirst ("dehydre") is often expressed with "air" (on) — they are seen almost as an influence or a force that you can’t fully control.
Personal States: On the other hand, states like tiredness ("sgìth"), happiness ("sonas"), or cold ("fuar") are often viewed as more internal and are simply described by the verb "tha" (to be) + an adjective. They are more directly tied to the person’s condition or emotional state, so no external force or preposition is needed.
So, in short, the distinction comes from how Gaelic conceptualizes and categorizes certain feelings. Physical needs or sensations that come from the body, like hunger, are often framed as things that affect or are on the person, whereas more internal or emotional states are just part of the person’s condition. It’s a subtle but important difference that gives Gaelic a unique way of expressing the human experience!
For determining the gender of a noun: There's a few "rules" which seem to work about 70% of the time.
Ends in ag or final vowel is a slender vowel or is found in nature (but not animals) then its feminine.
The phrase "Seall air do làmhan a-nis, Iain!" is indeed Scottish Gaelic, and the translation "Look at your hands now, Iain!" is correct. Your question about the use of "air" versus "aig" is a great one, as it touches on some nuances of Gaelic prepositions.
In this sentence, "air" is the correct preposition, and here's why:
- "Air" in Scottish Gaelic can mean "on" or "upon," but it also has a broader range of uses, including directing attention or focus toward something. In this context, "Seall air" is a common idiom meaning "look at." The preposition "air" is used to indicate the object of the action (in this case, "do làmhan" – "your hands"). It’s a fixed expression in Gaelic, where "seall" (to look) pairs with "air" to convey looking at something or someone.
- "Aig", on the other hand, typically means "at" in a more static or possessive sense, often indicating location or proximity (e.g., "Tha mi aig an taigh" – "I am at the house"). It’s less commonly used with verbs of perception like "seall" when the intent is to direct attention to an object. Using "aig" here wouldn’t be idiomatic or grammatically standard for this phrase.
So, "Seall air do làmhan" essentially means "Look at your hands," with "air" functioning to point Iain’s attention toward his hands. The full sentence, "Seall air do làmhan a-nis, Iain!" adds "a-nis" ("now") for immediacy and "Iain" as the vocative form of the name John, directly addressing him.
To summarize: Yes, "air" is correct here, and it’s part of the standard construction "seall air" for "look at." Your instinct to question it is spot-on, though—Gaelic prepositions can be tricky because their meanings shift depending on context and idiom! Let me know if you’d like more examples or further explanation.
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Key Points
- It seems likely that "Tha a' ghrian ann" is used for "the sun is here" to indicate the sun's presence or visibility, while "Tha a' ghrian seo" would mean "this sun is here," which is less appropriate.
- The evidence leans toward "ann" being the standard choice for general presence, like "the sun is out," while "seo" is used for "this" or specific location.
Why "Tha a' ghrian ann" is Used
In Scottish Gaelic, "Tha a' ghrian ann" means "the sun is here" in the sense that the sun is visible or present, using "ann" to indicate existence or presence. This is the common way to express that the sun is out, fitting the general context of the statement.
Why Not "Tha a' ghrian seo"
"Tha a' ghrian seo" would translate to "this sun is here," which is less natural because "seo" means "this," and it implies specifying a particular sun, which doesn't fit when referring to the sun in general. For a specific location, you might say "Tha a' ghrian an seo," meaning "the sun is here" in this place, but that's different from the general presence.
Survey Note: Detailed Analysis of "Tha a' ghrian ann" vs. "Tha a' ghrian seo" in Scottish Gaelic
This analysis provides a comprehensive examination of why "the sun is here" is expressed as "Tha a' ghrian ann" in Scottish Gaelic, rather than "Tha a' ghrian seo," focusing on linguistic nuances, grammatical structures, and usage contexts. The investigation draws on available resources, including dictionaries, phrasebooks, and online forums, to ensure a thorough understanding for language learners and enthusiasts.
Linguistic Context and Meaning of Key Terms
To begin, we need to break down the components of the phrases in question. In Scottish Gaelic, "Tha" is the verb "is" or "are," used in the present tense for existence or location. "A' ghrian" is "the sun," with "ghrian" being the noun for sun and the article "a'" indicating definiteness, lenited due to grammatical rules. The key difference lies in the endings: "ann" and "seo."
- "Ann": Research suggests that "ann" is a preposition primarily meaning "in," but it also functions to indicate presence or existence, often translated as "here" or "there" depending on context. For example, "Tha mi ann" means "I am here," indicating presence (Scottish Gaelic phrasebook – Travel guide at Wikivoyage). In weather-related contexts, "Tha a' ghrian ann" is commonly used to mean "the sun is out" or "the sun is present," aligning with the general statement of visibility.
- "Seo": The term "seo" means "this" or, in some contexts, "here" as an adverb of place. For instance, "Thig seo" means "Come here," and in identification, "Seo iasg" can mean "This is a fish" (r/gaidhlig on Reddit: When do you add “Tha” in front of “seo”?). However, when combined with "Tha a' ghrian," "Tha a' ghrian seo" would translate to "This sun is here," which is less appropriate for referring to the sun in general, as it implies specificity to a particular sun, which is not the intended meaning.
Grammatical Structure and Usage
The structure "Tha [noun] ann" is a standard existential construction in Gaelic, used to state that something exists or is present. For example, "Tha cat ann" means "There is a cat here," and similarly, "Tha a' ghrian ann" means "The sun is here" in the sense of being visible or present in the sky (LearnGaelic - Beginners - Little by Little). This usage is particularly common in weather descriptions, where the focus is on the state of the environment rather than a specific location.
In contrast, "seo" is used to point to something specific, often in demonstrative contexts. If someone were to say "Tha a' ghrian seo," it would imply "This sun is here," which is redundant and unnatural because "the sun" is already a singular, specific entity. For a more location-specific statement, "Tha a' ghrian an seo" could be used, meaning "The sun is here" in this particular place, with "an seo" being an adverb meaning "here" (What is the difference between 'an seo' and 'ann' in Scottish Gaelic?). However, this is less common for general statements about the sun's visibility.
Comparative Analysis and Contextual Appropriateness
To illustrate the difference, consider the following table comparing the phrases:
Phrase | Translation | Usage Context |
|---|---|---|
Tha a' ghrian ann | The sun is here (present) | General statement, e.g., "It's sunny" |
Tha a' ghrian seo | This sun is here | Specific, unnatural for the sun |
Tha a' ghrian an seo | The sun is here (in this place) | Specific location, less common for sun |
Historical and Cultural Considerations
Scottish Gaelic, like many Celtic languages, often uses existential constructions for stating presence, and "ann" fits this pattern. Historical dictionaries, such as those cited in Wiktionary, show "ann" being used for location and existence, reinforcing its role in phrases like "Tha a' ghrian ann" (ann - Wiktionary, the free dictionary). The use of "seo" for "this" is more aligned with demonstrative pronouns, which are less relevant for general statements about natural phenomena like the sun.
Conclusion and Implications for Language Learners
In conclusion, the reason "the sun is here" is written as "Tha a' ghrian ann" and not "Tha a' ghrian seo" is that "ann" indicates the sun's presence or visibility, which is the intended meaning in most contexts. "Tha a' ghrian seo" would imply "this sun is here," which is unnatural and redundant. For language learners, understanding this distinction is crucial: use "ann" for general presence (e.g., weather states) and "an seo" for specific locations if needed, though "Tha a' ghrian an seo" is less common for the sun's visibility.
This analysis highlights the importance of context in Gaelic, where subtle differences in prepositions and adverbs can significantly alter meaning. For further learning, resources like LearnGaelic offer beginner courses that cover such constructions, and online forums like r/gaidhlig on Reddit provide community insights (r/gaidhlig on Reddit: When do you add “Tha” in front of “seo”?).
Key CitationsScottish Gaelic phrasebook – Travel guide at Wikivoyage
Gaelic word of the week blog – sun – a’ Ghrian
How to say sun in Scots Gaelic
What is the difference between 'an seo' and 'ann' in Scottish Gaelic?
LearnGaelic - Beginners - Little by Little
r/gaidhlig on Reddit: When do you add “Tha” in front of “seo”?
ann - Wiktionary, the free dictionary
First sentence: "A bheil fichead muc nas truime na ailbhean?"Translation: "Are twenty pigs heavier than an elephant?"
Fichead means "twenty," and it’s a numeral that, in Gaelic, typically takes a singular noun after it when referring to a counted quantity. This is a quirk of Gaelic grammar: after numbers like fichead (20), trì fichead (60), or ceud (100), the noun stays in its singular form, not plural. So, muc (pig) remains singular here, even though twenty pigs are being discussed.
Think of it like a collective or standardized way of counting in Gaelic—unlike English, where we’d say "pigs" for anything over one, Gaelic often keeps the singular noun after higher numbers to indicate the "type" being counted.
Second sentence: "A bheil trì caoraich nas aotruime na each?"Translation: "Are three sheep lighter than a horse?"
Trì means "three," and with smaller numbers (typically 2–10), Gaelic uses the plural form of the noun. Caoraich is the plural of caora (sheep). So, when counting "three sheep," the plural caoraich is correct and expected.
This reflects a pattern in Gaelic: small numbers (like dà "two," trì "three," ceithir "four," etc.) trigger the plural, while larger "round" numbers like fichead (20) keep the noun singular.
Why the difference?It’s a grammatical convention. Numbers like fichead (20) and above historically treat the noun as a singular entity being multiplied (almost like "twenty of pig"), while smaller numbers (2–10) treat the noun as a plural group (e.g., "three sheep"). This isn’t intuitive for English speakers but is consistent within Gaelic’s system.
So, muc stays singular after fichead because of this rule, and caoraich is plural after trì because small numbers require the plural form
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n the Scottish Gaelic sentence "Na bliadhnaichean fada", the word fada is not lenited because of the grammatical rules governing lenition after plural nouns in certain contexts.
Here’s why:
- Plural Noun Context: The word bliadhnaichean is the plural form of bliadhna ("year"). In Gaelic, when an adjective follows a plural noun, lenition of the adjective typically occurs only if the noun is feminine and in the nominative or dative case. However, bliadhna is feminine, and bliadhnaichean here is likely in a nominative or dative plural form.
- Adjective Agreement: The adjective fada ("long") describes bliadhnaichean. In this case, fada does not lenite because the plural form of feminine nouns in the nominative/dative does not always trigger lenition of a following adjective, especially when the adjective begins with a consonant like f. Lenition is more consistent with singular feminine nouns (e.g., bean fhada, "a tall woman").
- Phonological and Orthographic Rules: The consonant f in fada is not lenited (to fh) because lenition after plural nouns is less predictable and often depends on specific patterns. For fada, historical and phonological conventions in Gaelic orthography preserve the unlenited form in this construction.
So, in "Na bliadhnaichean fada" ("the long years"), fada remains unlenited due to the plural nature of bliadhnaichean and the specific behavior of adjectives in this context. If it were singular, like "A’ bhliadhna fhada" ("the long year"), lenition would occur.
Old Gaelic had three grammatical genders, masculine, feminine, and neuter. The neuter gender was lost in Classical Gaelic, and all the words which were neuter either became masculine or feminine. This didn't process didn't happen the same way eveywhere, so you have some neuter words which became masculine in certain dialects, but feminine in others.
Uisge is one of these words. Most speakers would treat it as a masculine noun, so an t-uisge, but for some dialects it's feminine, which is why you have an uisge.
Muir is similar; for some speakers it's feminine a' mhuir, but for others it's masculine am muir.
