Lecture Notes on Present Tense in Irish Language

Overview

• Focus of Lecture: Present tense in Irish (Láirach means "present" or "now").
• Main Concept: Add endings to verbs to indicate the present tense.
• Comparison to Past Tense: Past tense involves changing the start of verbs; present tense involves adding endings.

Endings for Different Subjects

• Subjects & Endings:
  • May: A-I-M
  • Túsle/Síd/Síd: A-N-N
  • Mhuid: A-I-M-I-D
• Slender Vowels: Take out the A, add an E, e.g., I-M-I-D.

Vowels

• Latin Vowels: A, O, U
• Slender Vowels: I, E
• Note: One-syllable endings in Irish usually don't have fadas.

Handling Questions and Negatives

• Questions: Use "on" plus an uru (if applicable).
• Negatives: Use "ni" + a shavu. Works except on vowels and certain consonants (L, N, R).

Use in Poetry and Prose

• Present tense frequently used in literary discussions
• Important for expressing ongoing actions and states in literature.

Example Usage

• Adding Endings: Simply add specified endings to the verbs.
• Complex Verbs: Some verbs like "shgríad" appear complex but are treated as one syllable.

Exercise and Practice

• Exercise 1: Practice present tense conjugation.
• Tips: Focus on correct endings without adding past tense rules.

Two-Syllable Verbs

Regular Verbs

• Endings:
  • May: A-I-fada-M
  • Túsle/Síd/Síd: A-I-fada-O-N-N
  • Mhuid: A-I-fada-M-I-D
  • Brí-Sé: A-I-fada-T-E-A-R
• Quail Endings: Simply remove the initial 'A'.

Conjugation Steps

• Remove certain letters from the verb and apply endings.
• Examples:
  • "Ulbhig" becomes "Ullmh AIM"
  • "Aithrig" becomes "Athrig AINN"

Common Mistakes

• Avoid mixing past tense rules with present tense.
• Remember to add persons for some pronouns while others have it embedded in the ending.

Irregular Verbs

• Some irregular verbs have unique forms but follow consistent rules.
• Use resources to check conjugation if unsure.

Study Tips

• Practice Regularly: Conjugate 15 verbs weekly to stay sharp.
• Understand vs. Memorize: Recognize patterns between tenses.
• Use Resources: Online tools can confirm correct verb forms.

These notes should help you understand the structure and usage of the present tense in Irish grammar, crucial for discussions in poetry, prose, and everyday communication.