Experiencer Constructions

Wanting: bi + experiencer + ag + iarradh + theme

Tha	mi	ag	iarraidh	[cupa ti].
be.pres	1sg	Prog	want.VN	[cup of tea]
'I want a cup of tea.' or 'I am asking for a cup of tea.'

bi + nominal + aig+ experiencer + air+theme

Love

Tha	gràdh	aice	air
be.pres	love	at.1sg	on.2sg
'I love you.'

Tha	gaol	aice	air
be.pres	love	at.1sg	on.2sg
'I love you.'

Hate

• Tha gràin aca orinn

Knowledge

Tha	fios	agam	air	an	story.
be.pres	knowledge	at.1sg	on	the	story
'I know the story.'

Note: fios 'knowledge' is used with inanimate things.

Remembrance

Tha	cuimhn'	agam	air	Mairi.
be.pres	memory	at.1sg	on	Mary
'I remember Mary.'

bi + nominal + air + experiencer

Afraid

Tha	an	t-eagal	orm.
be.pres	the	fear	on.1sg
'I am afraid (terrified/frightened).'

Ashamed

Tha an nàire orm

Drunk

Tha	an	deoch	orm.
be.pres	the	drink	on.1sg
'I am drunk.'

In a hurry/Rushed

Tha cabhag orm

Hungry

Tha	an	t-acras	orm.
be.pres	the	huger	on.1sg
'I am hungry.'

Tha	an	t-acras	air	Iain	(airson	beagan	teoclaid).
be.pres	the	huger	on	Iain	(for	little	chocolate).
'Iain is hungry for some chocolate.'

Sleepy

Tha an cadal orm Tha an cadal air a chù

Thirsty

Tha am pathadh orm Tha ma pathadh air Fiona

Toothache

Tha an dèideadh orm

Own: bi + possessed + le + possessor

• Tha an leabhar le Fiona

Is + nominal + le + experiencer

LIke and Dislike

'S	toigh	leam	cofaidh.
cop.pres	agreeable	with.1sg	coffee
'I like coffee.'

Cuir + N + air + experiencer

• cuir cianals air "make homesick"
• cuir iongnadh air "surprise"

Verbal =

Còrd + theme + ri + experiencer "like"

• Chord an latha ris "he enjoyed the day"

References

• Fisher, Muriel (2004). Scottish Gaelic Level 1. Seattle: Each-Mara Publications