[ page ] § 49. In many parts of Ireland
| l broad | is always sounded like our symbol | L |
| l slender | „„„ | l |
| n broad | „„„ | N |
| n slender | „„„ | n |
We recommend to private students this simple method of pronunciation in preference to the following more elaborate rule, which is followed in Connaught Irish.
§ 50. (A.) Between vowels, single t and n are pronounced as in English; as mála (maul-a′), a bag; milis (mil′ish), sweet; Úna (oo′-na), Una; minic (min′ik), often. At the end of words, single l and n, preceded by a vowel, are also pronounced as in English; as, bán (baun), white-haired; asal (os′-al), an ass. Single l and n, when next any of the gutturals, g, c, or the labials, b, f, p, are like English l, a; as, olc (ŭlk), bad; blas (blos), taste.
| (B.) In the beginning of words, | |||
| l broad | is pronounced | L | |
| l slender | „ | l | |
| n broad | „ | N | |
| n slender | „ | n | |
| (C.) | ll broad | is always pronounced | L |
| ll slender | „„ | l | |
| nn broad | „„ | N | |
| nn slender | „„ | n |
(D.) When next d, r, t, l, m, n, s (the consonants in “don’t let me stir”), l and n, if broad, are pronounced L, N; if slender, l, n.
§ 51. The student should not be discouraged by the rich variety of sounds for two characters. It may be borne in mind (1) that words involving these letters will be perfectly understood, even if each l and n is pronounced with the ordinary English sound; (2) that in many districts the people have simplified the pronunciation, as noted above in § 49; and (3) that, by a careful reference to our table of sounds, the student will soon learn by practice the sound to be given to l and n in each particular case. We give, for practice, some words for pronunciation.
L sounds. lag (Log), log (Lŭg), slán (sLaun), dlún (dhLoon), tlú (thLoo).
l sounds. lín (leen), slím shleem), fille (fil′-e).
N sounds. Nús (Noos), snag (sNog), Nóra (Nōr′ă), Nora.
n sounds. Finne (fin′-ĕ), binne (bin′-ĕ) ní (nee)
§ 52. VOCABULARY.
| balla (boL′-ă), a wall | lán (Laun), full |
| bán (baun), white-(haired) | milis (mil′-ish) sweet |
| bog (bŭg), soft | ná (Nau), not |
| capall (kop′-ăL), a horse | slán (sLaun), well, healthy |
| Conn (kŭN), Con | solas (sŭl′-ăs), light |
| fan (fon), wait, stay | |
| glan (glon), clean | |
| lá (Lau), a day |
§ 53. Ná is the negative particle to be used with the imperative mood; as fág an solas, leave the light; ná fág má, do not leave me.
§ 54. Dún an doras. Fan, ná dún an doras fós. Ná fan ag an doras. Ná fág an mála lán ag an doras. Atá stól mór ag an tobar. Atá an tobar glan. Atá Conn bán, agus atá Art óg. Atá Art agus Conn ag an dún. Atá mé slán. Atá an capall óg. Atá solas ag an doras.
§ 55. The day is long. The day is hot. The day is soft. There is a light on the door. Leave the light at the door. You are tall and he is white-haired. The wall is high. There are a wall and a high hedge at the well. There is a high wall on the fort. Leave the horse at the well. The well is full. He is young and healthy. Do not stay at the door.
The above lessons are being continued from week to week in the Weekly Freeman.
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