NameSection4.16 Complex Sentences 2: Modern Irish
In Modern Irish the complementizer (subordinating conjunction) appearing in
relative clauses has two forms, distinguished not in the actual form the
complementizer takes (it is always simply a, in the cases we will consider) but in
the consonant mutations induced in the immediately following verb-initial
consonant. These mutations are lenition and eclipsis. Lenition (or aspiration) is
indicated by h following the verb-initial consonant: c -+ ch, f + fh, and so on.
Eclipsis is symbolized by writing a nasal or voiced consonant before the verb-initial
consonant or, in the case of some consonants, by leaving it unaffected: c -+ gc,
f + bh f, m --+ m, g --+ ng, and so on.
Examples 1-20 contain Irish sentences that are paired with corresponding
relative clauses derived from closely analogous sentences. Study the sentences
carefully, paying particular attention to the distribution of the two forms of the
complementizer, and answer the questions that follow.la. Diolann an fear capaill.
(sells the man horses)
"The man sells horses."
b. an fear a dhiolann capaill
(the man COMP sells horses)
"the man who sells horses"
2a. Molann Sean an tir.
(praises John the country)
"John praises the country."
b. an tir a mholann Sean
"the country that John praises"
3a. Cbnaionn Sean le fir.
(lives John with men)
"John lives with men."
b. na fir a gconaionn Sean leo
(the men COMP lives John with-them)
"the men John lives with"
c. *na fir a chonaionn Sean le
4a. Diolann cara an fhir capaill.
(sells friend of-the man horses)
"The man's friend sells horses."