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Celtic Radio Community > Scottish Gaelic > Gaelic Confusion

Posted by: Sonee 24-Apr-2007, 11:17 AM

Can anyone help me? I'm doing a research paper on the syntax of Scottish Gaelic and have found myself slightly confused. Both the word 'dona' and the word 'droch' mean bad so when do you use one and when do you use the other?

For example I found a similar problem with the word 'good'. Both 'deagh' and 'math' mean good but 'deagh' seems to be used more to describe behavior while 'math' seems to be used more to describe one's physical condition. Does the same hold true for 'bad'? Is 'dona' used to describe behavior and 'droch' to describe physical condition? (I ask because the source I have says 'cù dona' means 'bad dog' but doesn't give an example of 'droch' so I have nothing to compare it too.)

If anyone could help me I would be forever greatful as this paper is due by Friday!

Thanks in advance,
Sonee

Posted by: GunChleoc 24-Apr-2007, 12:00 PM

*checks Colin Mark*

droch, miosa: bad, baleful. precedes and lenites noun where possible, but is never used predicatively. Examples: droch ainm - bad name. droch shealbh - bad luck. chan e droch oidhche a th' ann - it's not a bad night.

dona, miosa: bad, ill naughty. Examples: chan fhaca mi e a-riamh cho dona ri seo - I have never seen him as bad as this. na gabh gu dona e - don't take it badly. bha an rathad sin dona ach tha am fear seo nas miosa - that road was bad but this one is worse.

BTW dona is an antonym of sona - felicitous, happy.

Another example I know for droch is droch shìde - bad weather

For a list of expressions, go here: http://www.akerbeltz.org/faclair/toraidhean.php?search=droch&gaidhlignobeurla=gaidhlig - http://www.akerbeltz.org/faclair/toraidhean.php?search=dona&gaidhlignobeurla=gaidhlig

I hope this helps

Posted by: Sonee 24-Apr-2007, 12:39 PM

Thank you, GunChleoc! That was exactly what I was looking for! You have been a tremendous help!

Posted by: GunChleoc 24-Apr-2007, 11:26 PM

'S e do bheatha!