Page:Simple Lessons in Irish, Part 1 - O'Growney.pdf/25



§ 65. There are two things which make the spoken language of Ulster and Munster different from that of the west of Ireland. These two points of difference are (1) the syllable to be accented, and (2) the pronunciation of the vowels.

§ 66. We have already stated in § 22, that in words of two syllables, the first syllable is the one to be accented, and many examples have been given. In this and the following lessons we shall, until further notice, speak only of words of two syllables.

§ 67. Looking over Irish words, we shall find they can be divided into two classes, simple words, and words formed from simple words by the addition of a termination. For instance,, high, is a simple word; {insular|árdán}} (aurdh′-aun), a height, a hill, is formed , by adding the termination.

§ 68. Simple words are accented on the same syllable in every part of Ireland; compound words are not.

§ 69. The most common terminations of compound words are and, which have a diminutive force; and , which in some words has a diminutive force, and in others has a different meaning. In Munster Irish, all these terminations, and many others, are accented. In Ulster, on the contrary, the tendency is not only to accent the