Vocative Case
- for a definition of Vocative Case, see Vocative Case (definition)
The vocative case is used when you are calling someone (or more rarely something) by name.
Contents
Proper Names
In Gaelic, the vocative is formed by preceding the noun with the particle aL (the L is not typically written, it is provided here to indicate that it tirggers lenition). If the noun begins with a vowel, then the particle is omitted. If the noun is masculine and ends in a broad consonant, then that consonant is attenuated.
Gender Initial sound Way to Form Vocative Example Masculine vowel attenuate Aonghais consonant aL+attenuate a Sheumais Feminine vowel none Anna consonant aL a Mhàiri
- Chart adapted from Fisher (2004)
Common Nouns
Nouns that form the genitive by attenuation
singular'
vocative prefixes a, which lenites the noun; Make the final consonant slender
- balach --> a bhalaich
plural vocative prefixes a, which lenites the noun, Use the genitive plural (often identical to the nominative singular), and suffix an -a
- a bhalacha
Nouns that form the genitive by suffixing e
singular
vocative prefixes a, which lenites the noun, otherwise the form of the noun is the same as the common singular
- cas --> a chas
plural
vocative prefixes a, which lenites the noun, otherwise the form of the noun is the same as the common plural
Nouns that form the genitive by suffixing a
singular
vocative prefixes a, which lenites the noun, otherwise the form of the noun is the same
- feoil --> a fheoil
plural
vocative prefixes a, which lenites the noun, otherwise the form of the noun is the same as the common plural
Nouns that form the genitive by suffixing a consonant (-d, -n, -ach etc)
singular
vocative prefixes a, which lenites the noun, otherwise the form of the noun is the same
plural
vocative prefixes a, which lenites the noun, drop the consonant ending of the common plural
- litrichean --> a litriche
See Also
External Links
References
- Fisher, Muriel (2004) Scottish Gaelic: Level 1. Seattle: Each-Mara Publications
- MacDonald, J.A. (1976) "'Gàidhlig Bheo, vol 3. National Extension College
