In Learning Irish, Mícheál Ó Siadhail says:
Mícheál Ó Siadhail wrote:
Mícheál Ó SiadhailThe verb abair 'say' is somewhat exceptional:
(i) When lenition would normally be expected, the initial d is omitted, e.g. ní 'éarfainn /N´i: e:rəN´/ 'I wouldn't say', ar 'úirt sé /ər u:rt´/ 'did he say ?'.
(ii) Initial d is not lenited after a in a direct relative, e.g. sin é an fear a déarfas é 'that is the man who will say it', or after má in the past tenses, e.g. má dúirt sé 'if he said'.
(iii) There is an alternative direct relative form (a deir 'says') with a present or past meaning, e.g. cé a deir tú 'what are you saying?', tá mé sásta, a deir sé 'I am content, says he'.
Déarfainnse héin nach bhfuil mórán difríocht le cloisteáil idir
ní dhéarfainn agus
ní 'éarfainn - agus tá tú ceart go leor i gConamara.
