Re: Leodhasach & Hearasch - Gaelic help please

On Fri, 20 Jul 2007 21:39:29 GMT, The Highlander <micheil@xxxxxxx>
wrote:

It is - mea culpa - I was concentrating on the singular form and
misunderstood that you were giving both forms....

Leòdhasaich is the plural and genitive form of Leòdhasach.

Similarly, Hearaich is the plural and genitive form of Hearach..

The word Tearach (and Tearaich) is also heard for Hearach.

-aich is a common genitive and plural ending, thus:
Sgitheanach (person from Skye)
a Eilean Sgitheanach - from Skye
Sgiathanach (-aich, aich) a local spelling variation.

Hiortach is someone from St, Kilda and is also called Tiortach,
Hirteach and Tirteach.

an t-Eilean Rùm - the Isle of Rum
a Eilean Rùim - from the Isle of Rum
a Rùma - from Rum
Rùmach - a person from Rum
Rùmaich - people from Rum

Somewhat irregular because Rum is a pre-Gaelic name.

Eigg (masc.) is also irregular -
Eigeach - someone from Eigg
Eigich - people from or pertaining to Eigg.

Here is a pronunciation for you:

http://tinyurl.com/2suhdx

Great to hear it from the horse's mouth

Better than from the horse's other end, that's for sure!

Thank you very much gentlemen for your invaluable help.

I need this information because I am writing a brief account of a
meeting I had in April 1970 with a friend who had just spent the
Easter holidays with her granny in Stornoway. She was comparing life
on Lewis and Harris with that in Glasgow. So, one of my sentences
might read,

'It was interesting to note how, at this time, the lives of (LEWISERS)
and (HARRISERS) compared to those of us domiciled on the mainland.'

This is why I wanted to know the correct plural formats and whether
they could be used when referring to everyone - males and females. I
should also like to indicate in the text how the words Leòdhasaich and
Hearaich are pronounced phonetically in English. The quoted URL gives
fine indications for the singular forms, but now I am wondering about
the plurals. I am obliged to be accurate, because how annoying must it
be to native Gaelic speakers when writers in English don't take proper
care of the language.

I am also keen to verify the accuracy of specific comments my friend
made that afternoon about life on Lewis and Harris circa 1970. Thus I
should very much welcome your expert opinions on this too.

I have started another thread entitled: 'Lewis and Harris in 1970'.

Once again I am extremely obliged for your input. Many thanks indeed.

Karen
.