HeyRuaHow to say “Middle Irish” in Irish
- Irish:
- Meán-Ghaeilge
- English:
- Middle Irish
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- feminine
- Pronunciation:
- “MAN-ghay-ling-uh” /ˈmʲaːnˌɣeːlʲɟə/
Various forms
- Genitive singular:
- Meán-Ghaeilge, na Meán-Ghaeilge (e.g. gramadach na Meán-Ghaeilge, the grammar of Middle Irish)
What does “Meán-Ghaeilge” mean?
- Middle Irish
- The stage of the Irish language used from about the 10th to the 12th century, between Old Irish and Early Modern Irish.Also: medieval Irish, Middle Gaelic.
“Meán-Ghaeilge” with the article
Here is Meán-Ghaeilge after the article (an t-alt).
an Mheán-Ghaeilge
the Middle Irish
Lenition: M becomes Mh after an (feminine noun)
“Meán-Ghaeilge” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using Meán-Ghaeilge, the Irish word for Middle Irish.
Scríobhadh an dán seo i Meán-Ghaeilge.
This poem was written in Middle Irish.
Tá an Mheán-Ghaeilge an-difriúil ón nGaeilge inniu.
Middle Irish is very different from today's Irish.
Rinne sí staidéar ar an Meán-Ghaeilge san ollscoil.
She studied Middle Irish at university.
Is saineolaí ar litríocht na Meán-Ghaeilge é.
He is an expert on Middle Irish literature.
Tháinig an Mheán-Ghaeilge i ndiaidh na Sean-Ghaeilge.
Middle Irish came after Old Irish.
Níl mórán daoine in ann Meán-Ghaeilge a léamh.
Not many people can read Middle Irish.
Tá foirmeacha na Meán-Ghaeilge sa lámhscríbhinn sin.
There are Middle Irish forms in that manuscript.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Middle Irish in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for Middle Irish?
The Irish for Middle Irish is Meán-Ghaeilge (pronounced “MAN-ghay-ling-uh”). It’s a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce Meán-Ghaeilge in Irish?
Meán-Ghaeilge is said like “MAN-ghay-ling-uh” (IPA /ˈmʲaːnˌɣeːlʲɟə/).
Does Meán-Ghaeilge have a plural?
No. Meán-Ghaeilge is a name, so it is used in the singular only.
Why does Meán-Ghaeilge change to Mheán-Ghaeilge?
After words like mo (my) and do (your) the first letter is lenited: mo Mheán-Ghaeilge. After ár (our) it stays ár Meán-Ghaeilge, because m does not take eclipsis.
How does Meán-Ghaeilge relate to Sean-Ghaeilge?
Sean-Ghaeilge (Old Irish) is the earlier stage, roughly 600 to 900 AD; Meán-Ghaeilge (Middle Irish) followed it, before Nua-Ghaeilge Mhoch (Early Modern Irish).
