View source for User:Erisceres/O'Nolan's Introduction to Studies in Modern Irish

= Lesson I: Classification Clauses with Masculine Nouns =

'''Key:''' {{color|Red|'''{{smallcaps|⟨copula⟩}}'''}}, {{color|Blue|'''{{smallcaps|⟨predicate⟩}}'''}}, {{color|DeepSkyBlue|'''{{smallcaps|⟨subpredicate⟩}}'''}}, {{color|Green|'''{{smallcaps|⟨subject⟩}}'''}}, {{color|LimeGreen|'''{{smallcaps|⟨subsubject⟩}}'''}}.

The '''copula''' is the element that links the subject to a predicate. Here, the affirmative form of the copula in the present tense is ''{{color|Red|is}}''.

The '''predicate''' is the element that describes the subject. In classification clauses, the predicate is <u>always indefinite</u>; it cannot be a definite noun nor a personal pronoun. Here, the predicate is the masculine noun ''{{color|Blue|leabhar}}'' – “(a) book” <ref group="note">There is no indefinite article in Irish. Without the definite article, ''leabhar'' can mean either “book” or “a book” depending on the context.</ref> – which is the description being used to classify the subject. In copular classification clauses, it is the predicate that carries the syntactical stress.

The '''subject''' is the element that is being classified. Unless a specific noun is being used to refer to the subject, it is generally referred to with a pronoun. The pronoun itself conforms to the grammatical gender and number of the predicate, being a direct reference to the predicate itself. Where the predicate consists of a singular masculine noun, the singular masculine disjunctive pronoun ''{{color|Green|é}}'' is used for the subject.

== Simple Classification Clauses ==

In simple classification syntax, the '''indefinite predicate''' follows immediately after the '''copula''', and precedes the '''subject''' '''⟨{{color|Red|C}}{{color|Blue|P}}{{color|Green|S}}⟩''':

* ''{{color|Red|Is}} {{color|Blue|leabhar}} {{color|Green|é}}.'' – “It is a book.”

To form the '''present negative''' in classification syntax, the copular form ''{{color|Red|ní}}'' is used:

* ''{{color|Red|Ní}} {{color|Blue|leabhar}} {{color|Green|é}}.'' – “It is not a book.”

To form the '''present interrogative''', ''{{color|Red|an}}'' is used:

* ''{{color|Red|An}} {{color|Blue|leabhar}} {{color|Green|é}}?'' – “Is it a book?”

A response to such a question doesn't repeat the '''predicate''' or '''subject'''. Rather, the '''indefinite subpredicate pronoun''' – ''{{color|DeepSkyBlue|ea}}'' – is employed '''⟨{{color|Red|C}}{{color|DeepSkyBlue|p}}⟩''':

* —''{{color|Red|An}} {{color|Blue|leabhar}} {{color|Green|é}}?'' – “Is it a book?”
* —''{{color|Red|Is}} {{color|DeepSkyBlue|ea}}.'' – “It is.”

The negative response would be:

* —''{{color|Red|Ní}} {{color|DeepSkyBlue|hea}}.'' – “It isn't.” <ref group="note" name="ní hea">The present negative copular form ''ní'' causes ''h''-prothesis on the following word, hence ''hea''.</ref>

Following a negative response, the correct information can be provided with the preceding '''conjunction''' ''{{color|Blue|ach}}'' – “but” '''⟨{{color|Red|C}}{{color|DeepSkyBlue|p}}{{color|Blue|P}}⟩''':

* —''{{color|Red|An}} {{color|Blue|leabhar}} {{color|Green|é sin}}?'' – “Is that a book?” <ref group="note">The subject often employs the demonstratives ''seo'', ''sin'' and ''siúd'' – “this”, “that” and “that yonder”, respectively – by combining them with the subject pronoun.</ref>
* —''{{color|Red|Ní}} {{color|DeepSkyBlue|hea}}, {{color|Blue|ach peann}}.'' – “It isn't, but a pen.”

A separate copular element is not employed when the clause is headed by the '''predicate interrogative pronoun''' ''{{color|Blue|cad}}'' and no suggestion is offered as to the classification. in this format, the '''subsubject pronoun''' – ''{{color|LimeGreen|é}}'' – following the '''predicate interrogative pronoun''' – refers directly to ''{{color|Green|an rud}}'' in the '''subject''' ''{{color|Green|an rud é sin}}'' (''rud'' being a masculine noun), while the ''{{color|Green|é}}'' in the '''subject''' refers to the '''predicate''' in question '''⟨{{color|Blue|P}}{{color|LimeGreen|s}}{{color|Green|S}}⟩''':

* —''{{color|Blue|Cad}} {{color|LimeGreen|é}} {{color|Green|an rud é sin}}?'' – “What is it, the thing that that is?” <ref group="note">''Cad é an rud é sin?'' – this type of question is used when no suggestion is given as to the classification of the object. It can be translated more simply as “what is that thing?”</ref>
* —''{{color|Red|Is}} {{color|Blue|leabhar}} {{color|Green|é}}.'' – “It is a book.”

== Emphatic Classification Clauses ==

When responding in the negative, the correct information can be given in response by placing emphasis on the '''predicate''' as a means of contrasting with the previously suggested information. This is done by placing the '''predicate''' before the '''copula''', placing the '''indefinite subpredicate pronoun''' in the original '''predicate''' position '''⟨{{color|Blue|P}}{{color|Red|C}}{{color|DeepSkyBlue|p}}{{color|Green|S}}⟩''':

* —''{{color|Red|An}} {{color|Blue|leabhar}} {{color|Green|é}}?'' – “Is it a book?”
* —''{{color|Red|Ní}} {{color|DeepSkyBlue|hea}}; {{color|Blue|peann}} {{color|Red|is}} {{color|DeepSkyBlue|ea}} {{color|Green|é}}.'' – “It isn't; it is a pen.”

Likewise, the true '''predicate''' can be emphasised when multiple options are presented in a question. The '''interrogative predicate pronoun''' ''{{color|Blue|cé acu}}'' <ref group="note">The prepostional pronoun ''acu'' refers to the presented alteratives, ''cé acu'' generally translating to “which of these is it”.</ref> is used to present multiple alternatives in a question, with the '''conjunction''' ''{{color|Blue|nó}}'' dividing the alternatives:

* —''{{color|Blue|Cé acu leabhar nó peann}} {{color|Green|é seo}}?'' – “Which is this, a book or a pen?”
* —''{{color|Blue|Peann}} {{color|Red|is}} {{color|DeepSkyBlue|ea}} {{color|Green|é}}.'' – “It is a pen.”

If neither alternative is correct, the following format would be used in the response:
* —''{{color|Red|Ní}} {{color|Blue|leabhar ná peann}} {{color|Green|é}}; {{color|Blue|lasán}} {{color|Red|is}} {{color|DeepSkyBlue|ea}} {{color|Green|é}}.'' – “It is neither a book nor a pen; it is a match.”

Alternatively, the correct information can be given in a simple format without emphasis
* —''{{color|Red|Ní}} {{color|Blue|leabhar ná peann}} {{color|Green|é}}, {{color|Blue|ach lasán}}.'' – “It is neither a book nor a pen, but a match.”

<div class="warningbox">
'''Notes on the forms of emphasis:'''<br/>
Text here
</div>

== Vocabulary ==

'''Forms of the Copula:'''

* ''is'' – present affirmative <ref group="note">The present affirmative form of the copula is often dropped in speech, e.g. ''leabhar é'' – “it is a book”.</ref>
* ''ní'' <sup>H</sup> – present negative <ref group="note" name="ní hea"/>
* ''an'' – present interrogative <ref group="note">The present interrogative form of the copula – ''an'' – should not be confused with ''an'', a form of the definite article, e.g. ''an rud'' – “the thing”.</ref>

'''Pronouns:'''

* ''é'' – “he”, “it” (masc.)
* ''é seo'' – “this” (masc.)
* ''é sin'' – “that” (masc.)
* ''an rud é'' – “the thing it is” (masc.)
* ''ea'' – the indefinite subpredicate pronoun
* ''cad … ?'' – “what … ?” <ref group="note" name="cad and cé">It could be said that the copular is already contained within interrogative predicate pronouns, thus clauses using them have no separate copular element.</ref>
* ''cé acu … ?'' – “whether … ?”, “which … ?” (where an alternative is presented) <ref group="note" name="cad and cé"/>

'''Masculine Nouns:'''

* ''leabhar'' – “a book”
* ''peann'' – “a pen”
* ''peann luaidhe'' – “a pencil”
* ''bosca'' – “a box”
* ''bord'' – “a table”
* ''lasán'' – “a match”
* ''sparán'' – “a purse”
* ''rud'' – “a thing”

'''Conjunctions:'''

* ''nó'' – “or”
* ''ná'' – “nor”
* ''ní … ná'' – “neither … nor”
* ''ach'' – “but”

== Salutations ==

* ''Dia is Muire dhuit.'' – “Hello.” (greeting to one person)
* ''Dia is Muire dhíbh.'' – “Hello.” (greeting to multiple people)
* ''Dia is Muire dhuit is Pádraig.'' – “Hello.” (response to one person)
* ''Dia is Muire dhíbh is Pádraig.'' – “Hello.” (response to multiple people)
* ''Slán agat.'' – “Goodbye.” (said to one person staying)
* ''Slán agaibh.'' – “Goodbye.” (said to multiple people staying)
* ''Slán leat.'' – “Goodbye.” (said to one person leaving)
* ''Slán libh.'' – “Goodbye.” (said to multiple people leaving)

== Notes ==

<references group="note"/>

== Exercises ==

Exercises I and IV from Lesson I of the book are intended for the practical classroom environment and are thus not applicable here.

'''Exercise II:'''

Translate into English:
# ''Cad é an rud é sin? Is leabhar é.''
# ''An leabhar é sin? Ní hea; lasán is ea é.''
# ''Cé acu bosca nó sparán é seo? Sparán is ea é.''
# ''Cé acu leabhar nó lasán é sin? Ní leabhar ná lasán é, ach peann.''
# ''An peann é sin? Is ea.''
# ''An bosca é seo? Ní hea, ach bord.''

'''Exercise III:'''

Translate into Irish:
# This is not a pen; it is a pencil.
# Is that a pencil? Yes. Is this? No.
# What is it?<sup>1</sup> A book.
# Is that a book? No, but a box.
# Whether is this a box or a purse? It's a purse.
# This is a match,<sup>2</sup> is it?<sup>3</sup> Yes.

'''Hints:'''

<sup>1</sup> ''Cad é an rud é?'' (Don't use ''é sin'' or ''é seo'' twice of the same object in two <u>successive</u> questions.)<br/>
<sup>2</sup> Emphatic position.<br/>
<sup>3</sup> ''An ea?''