Imatges de pàgina
PDF
EPUB

GRAMMAR

OF THE

IRISH LANGUAGE,

COMPILED FROM THE BEST AUTHORITIES,

BY

HENRY J. MONCK MASON,

LL.D. M.R.I.A.

SECOND EDITION.

DUBLIN:

PRINTED BY GOODWIN, SON & NETHERCOTT, 29, DENMARK-STREET.

1839.

[blocks in formation]

FROM THE

PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION.

THE following compilation has long been withheld from the public, in the hope that some person more competent than myself would undertake the work; but, disappointed in that expectation, and finding that no time should be lost in furnishing the Irish student, I hasten to put it forth.

Let it not be objected, that I am not acquainted with the Irish as a colloquial, but only as a written, language; I allow it; but I have not advanced a single rule except upon the best admitted authorities; and have decided, in cases of doubt, upon the evidence of a majority of the most approved. I have compared Molloy's, Vallancey's, Neilson's, Halliday's, O'Brien's, and O'Reilly's grammars; and not neglected others.

PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION.

I HAVE for a long time withheld the publishing of a second edition of this work, although it has been sought for by many, by the same reason which made me slow in editing the first. I knew also that it had been severely criticised, and I was unwilling to undertake a controversy. On reading, however, the very illiberal comment to which I allude, I only drew from it the greater confidence; and adopting some of its hints, for which I thank the author, I determined on a reprint. I must remind the public that I am not to be considered as an author, but only a compiler; but I know that I would be an injudicious one, were I to give up the authorities upon which I have hitherto relied, to that of the very reprehensible comment which I have mentioned.

IRISH GRAMMAR.

PART I.

LETTERS.

Their Pronunciation and Orthography.

The Modern Irish Alphabet consists of 18 letters.

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors]

It will appear in the sequel how the powers of the letters V, W, and Y, are expressed in Irish. C has always the pronunciation of K; and X is expressed by cr, as Ecrodur, Exodus.

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small]
« AnteriorContinua »