We are going to look again at na Tuislean (the Cases) and how nouns change in Gaelic according to their context.
We have seen the four cases several times: An Tuiseal Ainmeach (The Nominative/Nominal Case), An Tuiseal Gairmeach (The Vocative Case), An Tuiseal Ginideach (The Genitive/Possessive Case) agus An Tuiseal Tabhartach (The Dative/Prepositional Case).
We should be fairly comfortable with them at this point.
But we are so kind that we’ve put a complete table of the rules on 10A Duilleag Mìneachaidh.
📑 This is important information! This page is well worth bookmarking. If you keep a notebook or notes file it is well worth keeping a note of this vocabulary and associated rules. 📚
Although the rules themselves are helpful, most Gaelic grammar is based on sèimheachadh (lenition) agus caolachadh (slenderisation), adding or removing them.
If we understand these principles, and what they do in terms of pronunciation, then Gaelic grammar and the noun changes are much easier.
NOMINATIVE | VOCATIVE | GENITIVE | DATIVE |
No lenition | Lenition + Slenderisation | Lenition + Slenderisation | Lenition |
an cunntas ùr | A chunntais ùir! | riadh a’ chunntais ùir | anns a’ chunntas ùr |
the new account | O (you) new account! | the interest of the new account | in the new account |
NOMINATIVE | VOCATIVE | GENITIVE | DATIVE |
Lenition | Lenition | No lenition + Slenderisation + -e | Lenition + Slenderisation |
a’ chìs ùr | A chìs ùr! | meud na cìse ùire | leis a’ chìs ùir |
the new tax | O (you) new tax! | the amount of the new tax | with the new tax |
Cha ghabhadh meud na càine ùire creidsinn!
The amount of the new fine/tariff was unbelievable!
Fhuair sinn iomlaid mhath air an airgead airson nan saor-làithean.
We got a good exchange rate on the money for the holidays.
Bha mi toilichte le riadh a’ chunntais ùir a dh’fhosgail mi.
I was happy with the interest of the new account that I opened.
Tha luach an airgid Eòrpaich air a dhol suas gu mòr.
The value of (the) European money has greatly increased.
Fhuair sinn deich not far na prìse maithe sa bhùth.
We got ten pounds off the good price in the shop.