Unit 18 - Getting directions
"On your right-hand"
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The word ò is commonly used to mean “address” (as in 2 Smith Street), but an older meaning (which still applies) is the directions which would be given to somebody looking for a particular locality, such as a house. In this unit, we are going to put you firstly in the shoes of a learner in the Gaidhealtachd (Anndra) who boldly asks strangers for directions in Gaelic. Hopefully, when you have finished the unit, you will be that bold learner! (Notice, however, that a wise person avoids being too abrupt in initiating a conversation – talk about the weather or something else before launching into a question). In the second conversation, we will assume that you have the capability to impart the same type of knowledge to another learner! Siuthad, ma tha!Go on, then!
- croft
- croft house
- crofter
- road
- village, town
- right
- on your right-hand
- left
- on your left-hand
Before you listen to the transcript it is worth noting how we deal with ownership (as of houses) when using masculine names. The name is in the genitive or possessive case and it undergoes, where possible, both lenition at the start of the name, and slenderisation of the final vowel. This dual change in the noun also affects any qualifying adjectives such as beagsmall and òbig. Here are some examples. below.
- James
- James’s house
- Big James’s house
- Malcolm
- Malcolm's House
- Wee Malcolm's House
- Angus
- Angus’s house
- Big Angus’s house
- On your right-hand
