One of the articles in Beo that I think learners would especially enjoy is
http://beo.ie/alt-an-coala-i-gcontuirt.aspx. Not only is the subject matter adorable, but it's chock full of interesting words. Perhaps we could take turns translating bits of it. You can translate
just one sentence, or an entire paragraph, whatever suits you. I'll go first:
Tá an cangarú ar an ainmhí Astrálach is so-aitheanta ar fud na cruinne,
The kangaroo is among the most familiar animals around the world,Hint: When you see a word you don't know, try sounding it out. It may be a loan word that you'll recognise when you hear it, like
cangarú.
ach is ea an cóála an t-ainmhí is muirní abhus.
but it is the koala that is the most beloved animal over here.You might recognise
muirní in another form:
a mhuirnín = (my) little beloved one
Tá cuma ait ar an gcóála mar gheall ar a cheann mór, The koala has a strange appearance on account of its big head,
áit = place, but
ait = strange. These words are easily confused.
a chluasa móra gruagacha agus a shrón ollmhór, its big furry ears and its great big nose,gruagacha is probably more familiar to you in another form:
gruaig = hair
ach is léir go dtéann an chuma ghleoite seo i gcion go mór ar dhaoine. but it is clear that this cute appearance is held in great affection by people.Lit: goes in great affection
Ní hionadh go bhfuil an tsraith scéalta faoin gcóála dalba óg, Blinky Bill, No wonder that the series of stories about the bold (mischevious) young koala, Blinky Bill,The word
go is often used like the English word
that, to introduce a relative clause. Be on the lookout for introductory phrases such as these:
Ní hionadh go... = No wonder that...
Is cinnte go... = It is certain that...
Is dócha go... = It is likely that...
leis an scríbhneoir Dorothy Wall, ar na scéalta is ansa le páistí na hAstráileby the writer Dorothy Wall, is among the stories most beloved by Australian childrena ansa is another endearment like
a mhuirnínIn the original Irish, the verb (bhfuil) was way back near the beginning of the sentence.
ó foilsíodh í tuairim is ochtó bliain ó shin.from its publication approximately eighty years ago.
You probably know
tuairim =
opinion, but
tuairim is =
approximately.
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