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A’ Ghàidhealtachd

B1
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Complete for 2 points

An Tuiseal Gairmeach

The Vocative Case

At the very beginning of A1, we learned about an tuiseal gairmeach (the vocative case) and how names change when we speak directly to someone. But if we use a sloinneadh (surname) as well, this also goes into the vocative case, as does a first name. Remember that a isn’t used/present before names which begin with a fuaimreag (vowel) or f + fuaimreag (f + vowel). And ainmean boireann (female names) do not slenderise whereas ainmean fireann (male names) do.

Dòmhnall MacDhòmhnaillA Dhòmhnaill MhicDhòmhnaill!
Seumas MacLeòidA Sheumais MhicLeòid!
Iain MoireasdanIain Mhoireasdain!
Màiri NicSuainA Mhàiri NicSuain!
Fionnghal NicDhòmhnaillFhionnghal NicDhòmhnaill!

Sloinnidhean agus an Tuiseal Ginideach

Surnames and the Genitive (Possessive) Case

Sloinnidhean (surnames) also use the genitive (possessive) case often. When a mac or nic appears in the surname we are actually saying ‘son of …’ or ‘daughter of …’.

Dòmhnall MacDhòmhnaill

Donald son of Donald

bàta Dhòmhnaill MhicDhòmhnaill

the boat of Donald son of Donald

Dòmhnall Sheumais Chaluim

Donald of James of Calum

athair Dhòmhnaill

the father of Donald/Donald’s father

sinnsearachd

ancestry

sloinntearachd

genealogy