Difference between revisions of "Demonstratives"

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Demonstratives in Gaelic, just like those in other languages, can be used in two different ways: transitively or intransitively. Transitive demonstratives are used on its own without any other elements such as noun as in (1) while intransitive demonstratives are always collocated with a noun as in (2).
 
Demonstratives in Gaelic, just like those in other languages, can be used in two different ways: transitively or intransitively. Transitive demonstratives are used on its own without any other elements such as noun as in (1) while intransitive demonstratives are always collocated with a noun as in (2).
  
1)   '''this book''' is mine
+
1) '''this book''' is mine
  
2)   '''this''' is mine
+
2) '''this''' is mine
  
 
Transitive demonstratives in Gaelic are created by combining an article, a noun, and a demonstrative particle, in that order. There are three demonstrative particles: ''seo'' proximate (this), ''sin'' distal (that), ''siud'' or '' 'ud or siud'' far distal (yonder).  
 
Transitive demonstratives in Gaelic are created by combining an article, a noun, and a demonstrative particle, in that order. There are three demonstrative particles: ''seo'' proximate (this), ''sin'' distal (that), ''siud'' or '' 'ud or siud'' far distal (yonder).  
  
3)   an  cù  seo
+
3) an  cù  seo
    the dog this
+
  the dog this
    'this dog'
+
  'this dog'
  
4)   an  cù  sin
+
4) an  cù  sin
    the dog that
+
  the dog that
    'that dog'
+
  'that dog'
5)   an  cù  'ud/siud
+
5) an  cù  'ud/siud
    the dog yonder
+
  the dog yonder
    "yonder dog"
+
  "yonder dog"
  
 
If the noun is modified by an adjective, the adjective comes before the demonstrative particle:
 
If the noun is modified by an adjective, the adjective comes before the demonstrative particle:
  
6)   an cù mòr seo "this big dog"
+
6) an cù mòr seo "this big dog"
  
 
Intransitive demonstratives in Gaelic do not need any other elements such as an article and a noun.
 
Intransitive demonstratives in Gaelic do not need any other elements such as an article and a noun.
  
7)   Thoir dhomh seo
+
7) Thoir dhomh seo
    give  to.me this
+
  give  to.me this
    'Give me this'
+
  'Give me this'
8)   Thoir dhomh sin
+
8) Thoir dhomh sin
    give  to.me that
+
  give  to.me that
    'Give me that'
+
  'Give me that'
  
  

Revision as of 23:46, 5 April 2012

Demonstratives in Gaelic, just like those in other languages, can be used in two different ways: transitively or intransitively. Transitive demonstratives are used on its own without any other elements such as noun as in (1) while intransitive demonstratives are always collocated with a noun as in (2).

1) this book is mine

2) this is mine

Transitive demonstratives in Gaelic are created by combining an article, a noun, and a demonstrative particle, in that order. There are three demonstrative particles: seo proximate (this), sin distal (that), siud or 'ud or siud far distal (yonder).

3) an cù seo

  the dog this
  'this dog'

4) an cù sin

  the dog that
  'that dog'

5) an cù 'ud/siud

  the dog yonder
  "yonder dog"

If the noun is modified by an adjective, the adjective comes before the demonstrative particle:

6) an cù mòr seo "this big dog"

Intransitive demonstratives in Gaelic do not need any other elements such as an article and a noun.

7) Thoir dhomh seo

  give  to.me this
  'Give me this'

8) Thoir dhomh sin

  give  to.me that
  'Give me that'


See Also