Difference between revisions of "Irish/Déise Irish/Déise Phonology"

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(/ɑ/ > /a/ and additions to /a/)
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* {{IPA|/dor'''ə'''xə/}} ''dorcha'' dark
* {{IPA|/dor'''ə'''xə/}} ''dorcha'' dark
* {{IPA|/fol'''ə'''ṽ/}} ''folamh'' empty
* {{IPA|/fol'''ə'''ṽ/}} ''folamh'' empty
* {{IPA|/ɡɑr'''ə'''v/}} ''garbh'' rough
* {{IPA|/ɡar'''ə'''v/}} ''garbh'' rough
* {{IPA|/m'''ə'''ˈkɑːntə/}} ''macánta'' honest, good-natured
* {{IPA|/m'''ə'''ˈkaːntə/}} ''macánta'' honest, good-natured


Absolute final position following a consonant of velar quality:
Absolute final position following a consonant of velar quality:
* {{IPA|/dorəx'''ə'''/}} ''dorcha'' dark
* {{IPA|/dorəx'''ə'''/}} ''dorcha'' dark
* {{IPA|/məˈkɑːnt'''ə'''/}} ''macánta'' honest, good-natured
* {{IPA|/məˈkaːnt'''ə'''/}} ''macánta'' honest, good-natured
* {{IPA|/mol'''ə'''/}} ''moladh'' verbal noun of ''mol'' praise
* {{IPA|/mol'''ə'''/}} ''moladh'' verbal noun of ''mol'' praise
* {{IPA|/murk'''ə'''/}} ''iomarca'' (''murca'') too much
* {{IPA|/murk'''ə'''/}} ''iomarca'' (''murca'') too much
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The following monophthongs occur in stressed environments, though a number of exceptions are noted.
The following monophthongs occur in stressed environments, though a number of exceptions are noted.


In particular, non-absolute initial low vowels {{IPA|/a/}} and {{IPA|/ɑ/}} do not reduce to {{IPA|/ə/}} in the unstressed initial syllable where the stressed second syllable contains a high long vowel {{IPA|/iː/}}, {{IPA|/uː/}}, {{IPA|/iə/}} or {{IPA|/uə/}}:
In particular, when {{IPA|/a/}} is a non-absolute initial low vowel, it does not reduce to {{IPA|/ə/}} in the unstressed initial syllable where the stressed second syllable contains a high long vowel {{IPA|/iː/}}, {{IPA|/uː/}}, {{IPA|/iə/}} or {{IPA|/uə/}}:
* {{IPA|/lʲ'''a'''ˈnuːnʲtʲ/}} ''leanúint'' verbal noun of ''lean'' follow
* {{IPA|/lʲ'''a'''ˈnuːnʲtʲ/}} ''leanúint'' verbal noun of ''lean'' follow
* {{IPA|/bʲ'''a'''ˈnuː/}} ''beannú'' verbal noun of ''beannaigh'' bless
* {{IPA|/bʲ'''a'''ˈnuː/}} ''beannú'' verbal noun of ''beannaigh'' bless
* {{IPA|/b'''ɑ'''ˈlʲuː/}} ''bailiú'' verbal noun of ''bailigh'' gather
* {{IPA|/b'''a'''ˈlʲuː/}} ''bailiú'' verbal noun of ''bailigh'' gather
* {{IPA|/k'''ɑ'''ˈlʲiːnʲ/}} ''cailín'' a young woman
* {{IPA|/k'''a'''ˈlʲiːnʲ/}} ''cailín'' a young woman
* {{IPA|/k'''ɑ'''ˈhiːrʲ/}} ''cathaoir'' a chair
* {{IPA|/k'''a'''ˈhiːrʲ/}} ''cathaoir'' a chair


In exception to the above, the low vowel {{IPA|/ɑ/}} does not reduce to {{IPA|/ə/}} in the unstressed initial syllable where the stressed second syllable contains the mid long vowel {{IPA|/eː/}} in at least one instance:
In exception to the above, the low vowel {{IPA|/a/}} does not reduce to {{IPA|/ə/}} in the unstressed initial syllable where the stressed second syllable contains the mid long vowel {{IPA|/eː/}} in at least one instance:
* {{IPA|/k'''ɑ'''pˈteːnʲ/}} ''captaen'' (''captaein'') a captain
* {{IPA|/k'''a'''pˈteːnʲ/}} ''captaen'' (''captaein'') a captain


In another exception to vowel reduction, non-absolute initial low vowels {{IPA|/a/}} and {{IPA|/ɑ/}} do not reduce to {{IPA|/ə/}} in the unstressed initial syllable of a verb where the stressed second syllable consists of a verbal ending with the long vowel {{IPA|/oː/}}:
In another exception to vowel reduction, when {{IPA|/a/}} is a non-absolute initial low vowel, it does not reduce to {{IPA|/ə/}} in the unstressed initial syllable of a verb where the stressed second syllable consists of a verbal ending with the long vowel {{IPA|/oː/}}:
* {{IPA|/ʃ'''a'''ˈsoː ʃeː/}} ''seasfaidh sé'' (''seasó sé'') future masculine singular of ''seas'' (''seasaigh'') stand
* {{IPA|/ʃ'''a'''ˈsoː ʃeː/}} ''seasfaidh sé'' (''seasó sé'') future masculine singular of ''seas'' (''seasaigh'') stand
* {{IPA|/hʲ'''a'''ˈsoːx ʃeː/}} ''sheasfadh sé'' (''seasóch sé'') conditional masculine singular of ''seas'' (''seasaigh'') stand
* {{IPA|/hʲ'''a'''ˈsoːx ʃeː/}} ''sheasfadh sé'' (''seasóch sé'') conditional masculine singular of ''seas'' (''seasaigh'') stand
* {{IPA|/m'''ɑ'''ˈroː ʃeː/}} ''maróidh sé'' (''maró sé'') future masculine singular of ''maraigh'' kill
* {{IPA|/m'''a'''ˈroː ʃeː/}} ''maróidh sé'' (''maró sé'') future masculine singular of ''maraigh'' kill
* {{IPA|/ṽ'''ɑ'''ˈroːx ʃeː/}} ''mharódh sé'' (''mharóch sé'') conditional masculine singular of ''maraigh'' kill
* {{IPA|/ṽ'''a'''ˈroːx ʃeː/}} ''mharódh sé'' (''mharóch sé'') conditional masculine singular of ''maraigh'' kill


Where the stress is contained in the third syllable, the vowel in the first syllable does not reduce to {{IPA|/ə/}}:
Where the stress is contained in the third syllable, the vowel in the first syllable does not reduce to {{IPA|/ə/}}:
* {{IPA|/b'''ɑ'''ləˈvɑːn/}} ''balbhán'' a dumb person, a silent person
* {{IPA|/b'''a'''ləˈvaːn/}} ''balbhán'' a dumb person, a silent person
* {{IPA|/k'''o'''ləˈmuːrʲ/}} ''colmóir'' (''colmúir'') a hake
* {{IPA|/k'''o'''ləˈmuːrʲ/}} ''colmóir'' (''colmúir'') a hake
* {{IPA|/spʲ'''a'''ləˈdoːrʲ/}} ''spealadóir'' a reaper, a scytheman
* {{IPA|/spʲ'''a'''ləˈdoːrʲ/}} ''spealadóir'' a reaper, a scytheman
* {{IPA|/'''a'''nʲəˈṽʲiː/}} ''ainmhí'' an animal
* {{IPA|/'''a'''nʲəˈṽʲiː/}} ''ainmhí'' an animal


In exception to the above, the low vowel {{IPA|/ɑ/}} does reduce to {{IPA|/ə/}} (and is usually deleted in absolute initial position unless immediately preceded by a word ending in a consonant) in the unstressed initial syllable where the third syllable contains the stress in at least one instance:
In exception to the above, the low vowel {{IPA|/a/}} does reduce to {{IPA|/ə/}} (and is usually deleted in absolute initial position unless immediately preceded by a word ending in a consonant) in the unstressed initial syllable where the third syllable contains the stress in at least one instance:
* {{IPA|/('''ə''')məˈdɑːn/}} ''amadán'' a fool
* {{IPA|/('''ə''')məˈdaːn/}} ''amadán'' a fool


=== {{IPA|/a/}} low front vowel ===
=== {{IPA|/a/}} low front vowel ===
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==== {{IPA|[a]}} low front unrounded vowel ====
==== {{IPA|[a]}} low front unrounded vowel ====
(Breatnach 1947, '''{{IPA|a<sup>1</sup>}}''')
(Breatnach 1947, '''{{IPA|a<sup>1</sup>}}''')
Absolute initial position preceding {{IPA|/s/}}:
* {{IPA|/'''a'''səl/}} ''asal'' donkey
* {{IPA|/'''a'''spəg/}} ''easpog'' bishop
Absolute initial position preceding a consonant of velar quality other than {{IPA|/s/}} or {{IPA|/n/}}, in free variation with [ɑ̈]:
* {{IPA|/'''a'''xər(ə)n/}} ''achrann'' (''acharn'') strife
* {{IPA|/'''a'''kərə/}} ''acra'' acre
* {{IPA|/'''a'''ˈruːr/}} ''arbhar'' (''arúr'') corn
* {{IPA|/'''a'''gələ/}} ''eagla'' fear


Absolute initial position preceding a consonant of palatal quality:
Absolute initial position preceding a consonant of palatal quality:
* {{IPA|/'''a'''bʲəɡʲ/}} ''aibigh'' ripen, mature
* {{IPA|/'''a'''bʲəɡʲ/}} ''aibigh'' ripen, mature
* {{IPA|/'''a'''gʲənʲə/}} ''aigne'' mind
* {{IPA|/'''a'''nʲəmʲ/}} ''ainm'' name
Following a consonant of velar quality other than those of labial quality and preceding a consonant of palatal quality, in free variation with [ɑ̈]:
* {{IPA|/k'''a'''hʲə ʃeː/}} ''caithfidh sé'' (''caithe sé'') he will throw, cast; he will spend, wear; he will have to, be obliged to
* {{IPA|/g'''a'''rʲədʲ/}} ''gairid'' short


Following a consonant of palatal quality:
Following a consonant of palatal quality:
*
* {{IPA|/bʲ'''a'''n/}} ''bean'' woman, wife
 
* {{IPA|/kʲ'''a'''rt/}} ''ceart'' right
=== {{IPA|/ɑ/}} low back vowel ===
* {{IPA|/fʲ'''a'''r/}} ''fear'' man
* {{IPA|/mʲ'''a'''xt/}} ''imeacht'' going, departure
* {{IPA|/lʲ'''a'''x/}} ''leath'' (''leach'') half
* {{IPA|/pʲ'''a'''kə/}} ''peaca'' sin
* {{IPA|/ʃ'''a'''/}} ''sea'' it is (it)


==== {{IPA|[ɑ̈]}} low central unrounded vowel ====
==== {{IPA|[ɑ̈]}} low central unrounded vowel ====
(Breatnach 1947, '''{{IPA|a<sup>2</sup>}}''')
(Breatnach 1947, '''{{IPA|a<sup>2</sup>}}''')
Absolute initial position preceding {{IPA|/n/}}:
* {{IPA|/'''a'''nəm/}} ''anam'' soul
Absolute initial position preceding a consonant of velar quality other than {{IPA|/s/}} or {{IPA|/n/}}, in free variation with [a]:
* {{IPA|/'''a'''xər(ə)n/}} ''achrann'' (''acharn'') strife
* {{IPA|/'''a'''kərə/}} ''acra'' acre
* {{IPA|/'''a'''ˈruːr/}} ''arbhar'' (''arúr'') corn
* {{IPA|/'''a'''gələ/}} ''eagla'' fear
Between two consonants of velar quality other than those with labial quality, in occasional free variation with [a]:
* {{IPA|/k'''a'''sə/}} ''casadh'' (''casa'') twist(ing), turn(ing), winding; returning
* {{IPA|/k'''a'''t/}} ''cat'' cat
* {{IPA|/d'''a'''x/}} ''dath'' (''dach'') colour
* {{IPA|/g'''a'''rəv/}} ''garbh'' rough
* {{IPA|/g'''a'''ˈdiː/}} ''gadaí'' robber
* {{IPA|/t'''a'''rt/}} ''tart'' thirst
Following a consonant of velar quality other than those of labial quality and preceding a consonant of palatal quality, in free variation with [a]:
* {{IPA|/k'''a'''hʲə ʃeː/}} ''caithfidh sé'' (''caithe sé'') he will throw, cast; he will spend, wear; he will have to, be obliged to
* {{IPA|/g'''a'''rʲədʲ/}} ''gairid'' short


==== {{IPA|[ɑ]}} low back unrounded vowel ====
==== {{IPA|[ɑ]}} low back unrounded vowel ====
(Breatnach 1947, '''{{IPA|a<sup>3</sup>}}''')
(Breatnach 1947, '''{{IPA|a<sup>3</sup>}}''')


=== {{IPA|/e/}} mid front unrounded vowel ===
=== {{IPA|/e/}} mid front unrounded vowel ===
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== Long Monophthongs ==
== Long Monophthongs ==


=== {{IPA|/ɑː/}} long low back unrounded vowel ===
=== {{IPA|/aː/}} long low back unrounded vowel ===


==== {{IPA|[ɑː]}} long low back unrounded vowel ====
==== {{IPA|[ɑː]}} long low back unrounded vowel ====
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There is at least one case of permanent apheresis where the vowel has been lost entirely:
There is at least one case of permanent apheresis where the vowel has been lost entirely:
* {{IPA|/rʲɑːn/}} ''arán'' (''reán'') bread
* {{IPA|/rʲaːn/}} ''arán'' (''reán'') bread


In an initial closed pretonic syllable preceding a coronal sonorant, {{IPA|/ə/}} usually undergoes syncope, reducing the number of syllables in a word:
In an initial closed pretonic syllable preceding a coronal sonorant, {{IPA|/ə/}} usually undergoes syncope, reducing the number of syllables in a word:
Line 303: Line 346:


There is at least one a case of permanent palatalisation in absolute initial position being pronounced in all environments:
There is at least one a case of permanent palatalisation in absolute initial position being pronounced in all environments:
* {{IPA|/'''rʲ'''ɑːn/}} ''arán'' (''reán'') bread
* {{IPA|/'''rʲ'''aːn/}} ''arán'' (''reán'') bread


=== {{IPA|/n/}} ===
=== {{IPA|/n/}} ===
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* Stress generally occurs on the first syllable.
* Stress generally occurs on the first syllable.
* Where ''-ach'' {{IPA|/ɑx/}} or ''-each'' {{IPA|/ax/}} occurs in the second syllable and no other syllable contains a long monophthong or diphthong, the second syllable takes the stress.
* Where ''-ach'' {{IPA|/ax/}} or ''-each'' {{IPA|/ax/}} occurs in the second syllable and no other syllable contains a long monophthong or diphthong, the second syllable takes the stress.
** Examples:
** Examples:
*** {{IPA|/ɡʲul'''ˈkɑx'''/}} ''giolcach''
*** {{IPA|/ɡʲul'''ˈkax'''/}} ''giolcach''
*** {{IPA|/bʲ(ə)'''ˈnʲax'''/}} ''giolcach''
*** {{IPA|/bʲ(ə)'''ˈnʲax'''/}} ''giolcach''
** Exceptions are ''-(e)ach'' {{IPA|/əx/}} in:
** Exceptions are ''-(e)ach'' {{IPA|/əx/}} in:
*** {{IPA|/'''ki'''lʲəxtə/}} ''cuideachta'' (''cuileachta'') company
*** {{IPA|/'''ki'''lʲəxtə/}} ''cuideachta'' (''cuileachta'') company
*** {{IPA|/'''kʲa'''həx/}} ''ceathach'' showery
*** {{IPA|/'''kʲa'''həx/}} ''ceathach'' showery
*** {{IPA|/'''dɑ'''həxə/}} ''daitheacha'' (''dathacha'') rheumatism
*** {{IPA|/'''da'''həxə/}} ''daitheacha'' (''dathacha'') rheumatism
** The ''-(e)adh'' {{IPA|/əx/}} ending in active verbs does not take the stress, for example:
** The ''-(e)adh'' {{IPA|/əx/}} ending in active verbs does not take the stress, for example:
*** {{IPA|/'''ji'''nʲəx/}} ''dheineadh'' (''dhineach'') past habitual of ''déin''
*** {{IPA|/'''ji'''nʲəx/}} ''dheineadh'' (''dhineach'') past habitual of ''déin''
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* {{IPA|/erʲ/}} ''ar''
* {{IPA|/erʲ/}} ''ar''
** can be pronounced as {{IPA|/rʲ/}} when directly preceding a word that begins with a vowel, becoming the onset of the first syllable of that word:
** can be pronounced as {{IPA|/rʲ/}} when directly preceding a word that begins with a vowel, becoming the onset of the first syllable of that word:
*** {{IPA|/rʲ əˈlʲɑːn/}} ''ar oileán''
*** {{IPA|/rʲ əˈlʲaːn/}} ''ar oileán''
* {{IPA|/(ə)ˈdʲirʲ/}} ''idir''
* {{IPA|/(ə)ˈdʲirʲ/}} ''idir''
** can be pronounced as {{IPA|/(ə)ˈdʲerʲ/}} in any environment
** can be pronounced as {{IPA|/(ə)ˈdʲerʲ/}} in any environment
* {{IPA|/əɡ/}} ''ag'' used with verbal nouns
* {{IPA|/əɡ/}} ''ag'' used with verbal nouns
** pronounced as {{IPA|/gʲ/}} when directly preceding a word that begins with a vowel, becoming the onset of the first syllable of that word:
** pronounced as {{IPA|/gʲ/}} when directly preceding a word that begins with a vowel, becoming the onset of the first syllable of that word:
*** {{IPA|/gʲ əˈmʲɑxd/}} '' ag imeacht''
*** {{IPA|/gʲ əˈmʲaxd/}} '' ag imeacht''


= Notes =
= Notes =

Revision as of 03:19, 9 August 2022

All phonemic transcriptions will be directly followed by forms with standardised spelling and grammar. Forms in brackets are offered dialectal alternatives.

Vowels

Short Unstressed Monophthongs

The following monophthongs occur in unstressed environments, though a number of exceptions are noted.

/ə/ unstressed central vowel

[ə] mid central vowel

(Breatnach 1947, ə1)

Between two consonants of velar quality:

  • /kuːntəs/ cuntas (cúntas) an account
  • /kuːrəm/ cúram care
  • /dorəxə/ dorcha dark
  • /foləṽ/ folamh empty
  • /ɡarəv/ garbh rough
  • /məˈkaːntə/ macánta honest, good-natured

Absolute final position following a consonant of velar quality:

  • /dorəxə/ dorcha dark
  • /məˈkaːntə/ macánta honest, good-natured
  • /molə/ moladh verbal noun of mol praise
  • /murkə/ iomarca (murca) too much
  • /rəurtə/ rabharta (robharta) a spring tide

[ɘ̟] advanced high-mid central unrounded vowel

(Breatnach 1947, ə2)

Between two consonants of palatal quality:

  • /-/ cleith (cileach) a fishing rod

Absolute final position following a consonant of palatal quality:

[ɘ̠] retracted high-mid central unrounded vowel

(Breatnach 1947, ə3)

Short Stressed Monophthongs

The following monophthongs occur in stressed environments, though a number of exceptions are noted.

In particular, when /a/ is a non-absolute initial low vowel, it does not reduce to /ə/ in the unstressed initial syllable where the stressed second syllable contains a high long vowel /iː/, /uː/, /iə/ or /uə/:

  • /lʲaˈnuːnʲtʲ/ leanúint verbal noun of lean follow
  • /bʲaˈnuː/ beannú verbal noun of beannaigh bless
  • /baˈlʲuː/ bailiú verbal noun of bailigh gather
  • /kaˈlʲiːnʲ/ cailín a young woman
  • /kaˈhiːrʲ/ cathaoir a chair

In exception to the above, the low vowel /a/ does not reduce to /ə/ in the unstressed initial syllable where the stressed second syllable contains the mid long vowel /eː/ in at least one instance:

  • /kapˈteːnʲ/ captaen (captaein) a captain

In another exception to vowel reduction, when /a/ is a non-absolute initial low vowel, it does not reduce to /ə/ in the unstressed initial syllable of a verb where the stressed second syllable consists of a verbal ending with the long vowel /oː/:

  • /ʃaˈsoː ʃeː/ seasfaidh sé (seasó sé) future masculine singular of seas (seasaigh) stand
  • /hʲaˈsoːx ʃeː/ sheasfadh sé (seasóch sé) conditional masculine singular of seas (seasaigh) stand
  • /maˈroː ʃeː/ maróidh sé (maró sé) future masculine singular of maraigh kill
  • /ṽaˈroːx ʃeː/ mharódh sé (mharóch sé) conditional masculine singular of maraigh kill

Where the stress is contained in the third syllable, the vowel in the first syllable does not reduce to /ə/:

  • /baləˈvaːn/ balbhán a dumb person, a silent person
  • /koləˈmuːrʲ/ colmóir (colmúir) a hake
  • /spʲaləˈdoːrʲ/ spealadóir a reaper, a scytheman
  • /anʲəˈṽʲiː/ ainmhí an animal

In exception to the above, the low vowel /a/ does reduce to /ə/ (and is usually deleted in absolute initial position unless immediately preceded by a word ending in a consonant) in the unstressed initial syllable where the third syllable contains the stress in at least one instance:

  • /(ə)məˈdaːn/ amadán a fool

/a/ low front vowel

[a] low front unrounded vowel

(Breatnach 1947, a1)

Absolute initial position preceding /s/:

  • /asəl/ asal donkey
  • /aspəg/ easpog bishop

Absolute initial position preceding a consonant of velar quality other than /s/ or /n/, in free variation with [ɑ̈]:

  • /axər(ə)n/ achrann (acharn) strife
  • /akərə/ acra acre
  • /aˈruːr/ arbhar (arúr) corn
  • /agələ/ eagla fear

Absolute initial position preceding a consonant of palatal quality:

  • /abʲəɡʲ/ aibigh ripen, mature
  • /agʲənʲə/ aigne mind
  • /anʲəmʲ/ ainm name

Following a consonant of velar quality other than those of labial quality and preceding a consonant of palatal quality, in free variation with [ɑ̈]:

  • /kahʲə ʃeː/ caithfidh sé (caithe sé) he will throw, cast; he will spend, wear; he will have to, be obliged to
  • /garʲədʲ/ gairid short

Following a consonant of palatal quality:

  • /bʲan/ bean woman, wife
  • /kʲart/ ceart right
  • /fʲar/ fear man
  • /mʲaxt/ imeacht going, departure
  • /lʲax/ leath (leach) half
  • /pʲakə/ peaca sin
  • /ʃa/ sea it is (it)

[ɑ̈] low central unrounded vowel

(Breatnach 1947, a2)

Absolute initial position preceding /n/:

  • /anəm/ anam soul

Absolute initial position preceding a consonant of velar quality other than /s/ or /n/, in free variation with [a]:

  • /axər(ə)n/ achrann (acharn) strife
  • /akərə/ acra acre
  • /aˈruːr/ arbhar (arúr) corn
  • /agələ/ eagla fear

Between two consonants of velar quality other than those with labial quality, in occasional free variation with [a]:

  • /kasə/ casadh (casa) twist(ing), turn(ing), winding; returning
  • /kat/ cat cat
  • /dax/ dath (dach) colour
  • /garəv/ garbh rough
  • /gaˈdiː/ gadaí robber
  • /tart/ tart thirst

Following a consonant of velar quality other than those of labial quality and preceding a consonant of palatal quality, in free variation with [a]:

  • /kahʲə ʃeː/ caithfidh sé (caithe sé) he will throw, cast; he will spend, wear; he will have to, be obliged to
  • /garʲədʲ/ gairid short

[ɑ] low back unrounded vowel

(Breatnach 1947, a3)


/e/ mid front unrounded vowel

[e̞] mid front unrounded vowel

(Breatnach 1947, e1)

[ɜ] low-mid central unrounded vowel

(Breatnach 1947, e2)

/o/ mid back rounded vowel

[o̞] mid back rounded vowel

(Breatnach 1947, o)

/i/ high front unrounded vowel

[ɪ] near-high near-front unrounded vowel

(Breatnach 1947, i1)

Absolute word-initial position preceding a consonant of palatal quality:

  • /iʃkʲə/ uisce
  • /ihʲəmʲ/ ithim

Between two consonants of palatal quality:

  • /mʲinʲəkʲ/ minic
  • /mʲiʃə/ mise
  • /mʲiʃtʲə/ miste
  • /eː ʃinʲ/ é sin
  • /ʃiŋʲə/ sinne
  • /tʲinʲə/ tine

[ɪ̈] near-high central unrounded vowel

(Breatnach 1947, i2)

/u/ high back rounded vowel

[ʊ] near-high near-back rounded vowel

(Breatnach 1947, u1)

[ʊ̈] near-high central rounded vowel

(Breatnach 1947, u2)

Long Monophthongs

/aː/ long low back unrounded vowel

[ɑː] long low back unrounded vowel

(Breatnach 1947, a:)

/eː/ long mid front unrounded vowel

[eː] long high-mid front unrounded vowel

(Breatnach 1947, e:1)

[ɘː] long high-mid central unrounded vowel

(Breatnach 1947, e:2)

[ɜː] long low-mid central unrounded vowel

(Breatnach 1947, e:3)

/oː/ long mid back rounded vowel

[oː] long high-mid back rounded vowel

(Breatnach 1947, o:1)

[o̞ː] long mid back rounded vowel

(Breatnach 1947, o:2)

[ɵː] long high-mid central rounded vowel

(Breatnach 1947, o:3)

/iː/ long high front unrounded vowel

[iː] long high front unrounded vowel

(Breatnach 1947, i:1)

[i̠ː] long high near-front unrounded vowel

(Breatnach 1947, i:2)

/uː/ long high front unrounded vowel

[uː] long high back rounded vowel

(Breatnach 1947, u:1)

[u̟ː] long high near-back rounded vowel

(Breatnach 1947, u:2)

Diphthongs

/ai/

/au/

/əi/

/əu/

/iə/

[iˑə]

(Breatnach 1947, iə1)

[i̠ˑə]

(Breatnach 1947, iə2)

[iˑɘ]

(Breatnach 1947, iə3)

/ia/

[i̞ˑæ̈]

(Breatnach 1947, ia)

/uə/

[uˑɘ]

(Breatnach 1947, uə1)

[uˑə]

(Breatnach 1947, uə2)

/ua/

[u̞ˑɑ̈]

(O'Rahilly 1932, ua)

Nasalisation

All vowels undergo varying degrees of allophonic nasalisation when neighbouring a consonant of nasal quality.

Where a historical consonant of nasal quality has since become lost in a word while the vowel has retained its nasalisation, that vowel has since phonemicised as a nasal vowel and should be marked as such in phonemic transcription.

Epenthesis

Elision

In pretonic environments, /ə/ usually undergoes apheresis, reducing the number of syllables in a word, including in sentence-initial position; though, when immediately preceded by a word ending in a consonant, the vowel remains:

  • /(ə)ˈnʲiːn/ iníon daughter
  • /(ə)ˈmʲiːn/ imíonn present analytic of imigh depart
  • /(ə)ˈnʲuːlʲ/ inniúil (iniúil) capable

In prepositional forms where the stress has shifted to the second syllable, absolute-initial vowels are prone to apheresis as described above:

  • /(ə)ˈɡum/ agam (agum)
  • /(ə)ˈɡut/ agat (agut)
  • /(ə)ˈɡʲe/ aige
  • /(ə)ˈɡiŋʲ/ againn
  • /(ə)ˈɡivʲ/ agaibh
  • /(ə)ˈku/ acu
  • /(ə)ˈdʲirʲ/ idir

There is at least one case of permanent apheresis where the vowel has been lost entirely:

  • /rʲaːn/ arán (reán) bread

In an initial closed pretonic syllable preceding a coronal sonorant, /ə/ usually undergoes syncope, reducing the number of syllables in a word:

Glides

Consonants

Labials

/p/

/pʲ/

/b/

/bʲ/

/m/

/mʲ/

/f/

/fʲ/

/v/

/vʲ/

/ṽ/

/ṽʲ/

Coronal Obstruents

/t/

/tʲ/

/d/

/dʲ/

/s/

/ʃ/

Coronal Sonorants

/l/

/lʲ/

/r/

/rʲ/

There is at least one a case of permanent palatalisation in absolute initial position being pronounced in all environments:

  • /rʲaːn/ arán (reán) bread

/n/

/nʲ/

Dorsals

/k/

/kʲ/

/ɡ/

/ɡʲ/

/ŋ/

/ŋʲ/

/x/

/xʲ/

/ɣ/

/ɣʲ/

Laryngeals

/h/

/hʲ/

Stress

Stress in Simple Words

  • Stress generally occurs on the first syllable.
  • Where -ach /ax/ or -each /ax/ occurs in the second syllable and no other syllable contains a long monophthong or diphthong, the second syllable takes the stress.
    • Examples:
      • /ɡʲulˈkax/ giolcach
      • /bʲ(ə)ˈnʲax/ giolcach
    • Exceptions are -(e)ach /əx/ in:
      • /kilʲəxtə/ cuideachta (cuileachta) company
      • /kʲahəx/ ceathach showery
      • /dahəxə/ daitheacha (dathacha) rheumatism
    • The -(e)adh /əx/ ending in active verbs does not take the stress, for example:
      • /jinʲəx/ dheineadh (dhineach) past habitual of déin
      • /jianhəx/ dhéanfadh (dhéanthach) conditional of déin

Allomorphs

Prepositions

  • /erʲ/ ar
    • can be pronounced as /rʲ/ when directly preceding a word that begins with a vowel, becoming the onset of the first syllable of that word:
      • /rʲ əˈlʲaːn/ ar oileán
  • /(ə)ˈdʲirʲ/ idir
    • can be pronounced as /(ə)ˈdʲerʲ/ in any environment
  • /əɡ/ ag used with verbal nouns
    • pronounced as /gʲ/ when directly preceding a word that begins with a vowel, becoming the onset of the first syllable of that word:
      • /gʲ əˈmʲaxd/ ag imeacht

Notes


References

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