Shawn
Community Tutor
Irish: Can Whole or Partial Sentences Be Used in Irish as Adjectives or Names? In American English, we can turn a whole sentence or part of a sentence into an adjective or a name. The words are usually hyphenated in writing. I am guessing that this is also the case in British, Irish, Canadian, Australian and other dialects of English too. For instance, 1. This is my I-haven't-had-my-coffee-yet-so-don't-disturb-me-unless-you-want-to-die face. = This is the facial expression I make when you could possibly die for disturbing me because I haven't had my coffee yet. 2. Hey, Mr. Never-gives-a-damn-about-anything. Do you think you could show some interest in this project so we can get it done faster? = Hey, you... who never gives a damn about anything. Do you think you could show some interest in this project so we can get it done faster? Are these types of constructs possible in the Irish language or are they just a feature of the English language? If they are possible, can you show me how to construct them? Thanks in advance. :)
Sep 2, 2015 1:51 PM
Answers · 2
Interesting question! The only similar thing I can think of in Irish off the top of my head is "ar nós cuma liom", from "is cuma liom" = "I don't care": "Bhí sé ar nós cuma liom faoin drochbhail a bhí ar a chomharsana" = "he was indifferent/didn't care about his neighbours' plight" I'll let you know if I come up with anything else.
September 3, 2015
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