Overview
This lecture explains "eclipses" (urú) in the Irish language, covering what they are, why they happen, how they affect pronunciation, and key situations where they are used.
What is an Eclipse (Urú)?
- Eclipses (urú) are a phonetic change where a letter is added to the start of a word in Irish.
- Urú does not change the word's meaning; it only affects spelling and pronunciation.
- The added letter makes pronunciation smoother and speech flow better.
How Eclipses Work
- When urú is applied, the original first letter is silent and only the new letter is pronounced.
- Example: "b" with urú becomes "mb"—the "b" is silent, only "m" is pronounced.
Letters Affected by Urú
- The following seven consonants take urú: b, c, d, f, g, p, t.
- The added letters for urú are:
- b → mb
- c → gc
- d → nd
- f → bhf (pronounced "v")
- g → ng
- p → bp
- t → dt
Pronunciation Examples
- "ar an mballa" ("on the wall")—the "m" is pronounced, not the "b".
- "gcapall" from "capall" (horse)—the "g" is pronounced, not the "c".
- "ndún" instead of "dún" (fort/town)—the "n" is pronounced, not the "d".
When to Use Urú
- After certain prepositions combined with the definite article "an" (the).
- After the numbers 7 to 10, e.g., "seacht gcapall" (seven horses).
- After possessive adjectives: ár (our), bhur (your plural), a (their).
- After the words "da" (if), "mura" (unless), and "i" (in).
Key Terms & Definitions
- Urú (Eclipse) — adding a specific consonant in front of a word’s initial consonant, making the original letter silent.
- Lenition (Séimhiú) — a different Irish mutation, not the same as urú, involves adding "h" for softer pronunciation.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Practice identifying words that take urú and apply the rules given.
- Review the situations where eclipses are used, focusing on prepositions, numbers 7-10, and possessive adjectives.
- Check additional linked resources or forums for more detailed examples.
- Watch previous videos on lenition if not already done.