Stress

For the most part, Irish words are stressed on the first syllable. There are a few dozen words — mostly old compounds that merged into one word–that are accented on the second syllable.

Consonants

Irish consonants can be either broad or slender. This quality is determined by the vowels that follow or precede it. A basic rule of Irish spelling is “caol le caol agus leathan le leathan” – “broad with broad and slender with slender”.

Except in the case of compound words, a slender consonant or consonant group will always have either an “e” or an “i” on both sides of it–after it if it’s the first consonant in a word, before it if it’s the last in the word.

Likewise, a broad consonant will always have an “a,” “o,” or “u” before and after it.

Generally, broad consonants sound more or less like they do in English, although they sound like they come from further back in the mouth than in English, and there is often a off-glide similar to a light “w” sound after them. The only way to grasp this is to listen to Irish speakers, but the key below should help you on your way.

Slender consonants can often sound different from English. They are generally produced further forward in the mouth, and often have a palatal “y” sound gliding off from it. This seriously affects the dental consonants — d, t, and s

Build on what you’ve learned in this lesson, by trying Bitesize Irish Gaelic online language course.