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.
be.pres	the	sleep	on.1sg
'I am sleepy.'

Tha	an	cadal	air	Iain.
be.pres	the	sleep	on	Iain
'Iain is sleepy.'

Rare version of the above sentence:

Tha	Iain	cadalach.
be.pres	Iain	sleepy
'Iain is sleepy.'

Thirsty

Tha am pathadh orm

Tha	am	pathadh	orm.
be.pres	the	thirst	on.1sg
'I am sleepy.'

Tha ma pathadh air Fiona

Tha	am	pathadh	air	Iain	(airson	leann).
be.pres	the	thirst	on	Iain	for	beer
'Iain is thirsty (for beer).'

Toothache

Tha an dèideadh orm

Own: bi + possessed + le + possessor

• Tha an leabhar le Fiona

Is + nominal + le + experiencer

LIke and Dislike

• Is toigh leum
• Cha toigh leat

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