Negation

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Revision as of 19:49, 6 November 2012 by Jmeyer (talk | contribs) (Constituent Negation)

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Negation in Scottish Gaelic can occur at the clausal level, the constituent level, or at the word level.

Sentential Negation

At the sentence level, a negative particle precedes the entire clause:


CHAN signifies a negative, declarative clause.

Chan eil iad gu math
NEG are they well
'They are not well.'


NACH signifies a negative, interrogative clause.

Nach eil iad gu math
NEG are they well
'Are they not well?'

Constituent Negation

The prepositions gun and as aonais are used to negate certain constituents:

duine gun chiall
a man NEG sense 'a man without sense'

Double Negatives