Hi all and josie
I read your post and decided to turn it in to a lesson
The Gaelic language only has 18 letters - 5 vowels (A, E, I, O and U) and 13 consonants (B,C,D,F,G,H,L,M,N,P,R,S AND T). There is no J,K,Q, W,V,X,Y,Z. Despite this- we still need to make the sounds. For example, because there is no "v" sound, we need to make a combination of letters to make the sound. The "v" sound is created by mh and bh. Therefore Television in gaelic is Telebhisean.
Here is a list of how is pronounce certain combonations:
bh = as in "v"
ch = as in "loch" or "Bach"
dh = depends on the word, sometimes as in "y" or sometimes silent.
fh = almost always silent
gh = same as dh
mh = same as "bh" but silent if in middle of word
ph = as in "f"
sh - as in "h"
D is often pronounced like a harsh "t".
Quite often you'll see the combination of "aidh" or "idh" . This is a substitute of "Y" or "ie" ending. For example, Katie or Katy in gaelic is Ceitidh and its pronounced to same.
If a vowel as a accent like à or ù, this means the letter is pronounced long. Scottish Gaelic only uses grave accents, irish gaelic uses acute accent. Accents are quite important for example bata is a stick and bà ta is a boat.
Bata pronounced "ba-ta"
bà ta pronounced "bah-ta" which is longer in the "a" sound.
I hope i havent made it too confusing, just post me on this thread on any difficult points and i'll try my best to explain.
Mar sin leibh an-drà sta!
Taye
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