That was a great explanation Lon Dubh; there were several things that I didn't know about. I'm gonna definitely be writing it all down and studying it.

I hate to sound nit-picky, but I think it should say "dá after the article" on number 2.

By the way, I thought of a couple of exceptions to the "knock off the final "e" from the genitive" rule: "dhá bhoin" and "dhá mhnaoi" – I'm sure there are other exceptions but that's all I could think of off the top of my head.

Lovely explanation, an Lon Dubh.

In Connemara, singular is usually used after a number, except for certain words, mostly traditional measuring words. Ó Siadhail gives the following list:


So if the noun is singular, it is referring to an actual object, but if it is plural or special form, it is referring to a unit of measurement, e.g., trí slata (using the plural) is "three yards" but trí shlat (using the singular) is "three sticks", etc.

_________________
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).

No worries about nitpicking WeeFalorieMan, have to make sure the information is right, I've fixed the post.


Believe it or not, but those are the basic rules. The exceptions and subtleties are in the next post. I haven't even gotten to the two other counting systems!

_________________
The dialect I use is Cork Irish.
Ar sgáth a chéile a mhairid na daoine, lag agus láidir, uasal is íseal

Exceptions? Subtleties? Two other counting systems?


A thiarcais!

Focal nua!

_________________
Táim ag foghlaim Gaelainn na Mumhan

Tá fáilte roim nach aon cheartú!
I am a learner. Any translations offered are practice and should not be used unless confirmed.

Be afraid, be very afraid

_________________

Please wait for corrections/ more input from other forum members before acting on advice

Just look at this flood of great info that one little typo spawned!

_________________
Táim ag foghlaim Gaelainn na Mumhan

Tá fáilte roim nach aon cheartú!
I am a learner. Any translations offered are practice and should not be used unless confirmed.