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 Post subject: Autonomous imperative
PostPosted: Fri 03 Aug 2012 5:03 am 
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The autonomous imperative was pointed out to us by Braoin some time ago.

It recently reappeared in one of Redwolf's threads about driving as Ná scoitear "No overtaking" literally "Let no one be overtaken" or "Let no overtaking be done".

Another example is Ná caitear tobac "No smoking" literally "Let tobacco not be smoked".

It is also found in the Bible:

Dúirt Iúdá: “Tugtar amach í agus loisctear í!”
"Judah said, "Bring her out and have her burned to death!""

As you can see it is identical in form to the autonomous present and can be a little confusing but it is clear from context that it is an order.

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My "specialty" is Connemara Irish, particularly Cois Fhairrge dialect, but I can also speak Ulster and Munster Irish with native-level pronunciation.
Is fearr Gaeilge ḃriste ná Béarla cliste, cinnte, aċ i ḃfad níos fearr aríst í Gaeilge ḃinn ḃeo na nGaeltaċtaí.
Gaeilge Chonnacht (GC), go háraid Gaeilge Chois Fhairrge (GCF), Gaeilic Uladh (GU), Gaelainn na Mumhan (GM), agus Gaeilge an Chaighdeáin Oifigiúil (CO).


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PostPosted: Fri 03 Aug 2012 9:25 am 
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It's also the same as the autonomous subjunctive:

Present: Bristear na boird = The tables are broken/"They" break the tables.
Imperative: Bristear na boird = Let the tables be broken/Let "them" break the tables.
Subjunctive: Go mbristear na boird = May the tables be broken/May "they" break the tables.

Although the subjunctive used to have its own form not too long ago.

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PostPosted: Sat 04 Aug 2012 12:24 pm 
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Ah, yes. :yes: Thanks for filling in that gap. :GRMA:

Go mbristear do chosa, do chosa. Go mbristear do chosa, a Bhean Pháidín. :lah:
"May your legs, your legs, be broken. May your legs be broken, wife of Páidín."

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Múinteoir Gaeilge - Irish Teacher
My "specialty" is Connemara Irish, particularly Cois Fhairrge dialect, but I can also speak Ulster and Munster Irish with native-level pronunciation.
Is fearr Gaeilge ḃriste ná Béarla cliste, cinnte, aċ i ḃfad níos fearr aríst í Gaeilge ḃinn ḃeo na nGaeltaċtaí.
Gaeilge Chonnacht (GC), go háraid Gaeilge Chois Fhairrge (GCF), Gaeilic Uladh (GU), Gaelainn na Mumhan (GM), agus Gaeilge an Chaighdeáin Oifigiúil (CO).


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PostPosted: Mon 06 Aug 2012 11:36 am 
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Sampla maith, a Bhreadáin! :D

Often when you read about these forms in grammars it's nice to have a real example
where the meaning is obvious.

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