Na?

[CelticSpice]

OK, I have a grammar question.

What exactly is "Na" used for? Now I'm pretty sure that the "na" in with "Fòram na Gàidhlig" translates something like: "Gàidhlig Forum," Forum in Gàidhlig," etc. Somewhere along those line anyway. I read on the TAIC website that "na" is used as a relative pronoun (as if I know alot about what all these grammatical words such as "Relative Pronoun," "Prepositional Phrase," etc. mean.) and translates as "What" and "All that." However, I think that I'm needing a bit more instruction on the use of the word "na." Any help appreciated. Tapadh leibh.

[poor_mouse]

And also in negative imperative: Na dèan sin! -- Don't do that!

I think , there are some different word 'na', which looks alike: a form of article (plural and gen. sing. fem.), a relative pronoun, a negative particle.

[CelticSpice]

And also in negative imperative: Na dèan sin! -- Don't do that!

I think , there are some different word 'na', which looks alike: a form of article (plural and gen. sing. fem.), a relative pronoun, a negative particle.

Tapadh leat! That helps.

I had forgotten about the negative imperative and the plural/genitive article.

[GunChleoc]

na can be many things, although it is not as bad as a.

In Fòram na Gàidhlig, it is the feminine genitive article.

[CelticSpice]

na can be many things, although it is not as bad as a.

In Fòram na Gàidhlig, it is the feminine genitive article.

Yeah. So "Fòram na Gàidhlig" means "The Gàidhlig forum?"

[GunChleoc]

Forum of the Gaelic. The Gaelic's Forum would be closer grammar wise, but English doesn't use the article here.

[CelticSpice]

Forum of the Gaelic. The Gaelic's Forum would be closer grammar wise, but English doesn't use the article here.

I see. Well, that really helps me understand the use of "na" more.

[poor_mouse]

Oh, I've forgotten about na = ann an + a (in his or her): Tha Calum na chadal; tha Anna na cadal (he sleeps, she sleeps; lit.: is in his/her sleeping).

A bheil sin ceart?

[An Gobaire]

Forum of the Gaelic. The Gaelic's Forum would be closer grammar wise, but English doesn't use the article here.

I see. Well, that really helps me understand the use of "na" more.

And another important point to remember is the word "Gàidhlig" only refers to the language, unlike the English "gaelic". THis means that it is not used as an adjective in the same way as "Gaelic" can be used as such in English.

[poor_mouse]

Ach, mar eisimpleir, 's e "ceòl Gàidhlig" a tha ann cia tà, nach e? (= Gaelic music)
"Gàidhlig" is an adjective here.
But in this case it would not be "ceòl na Ghàilig" (= [the] music of the Gaelic language), and with the article it becomes "an ceòl Gàidhlig".
A bheil sin ceart?

[An Gobaire]

Yes, sure, it acts like an adjective here, but strictly speaking it's a noun.

Gàidhlig refers only to the "Gaelic language" and so it means "Gaelic Language Music" which I don't think is possible... as music is music....even if puirt-a-beul and such like follow the rhythms of the Gaelic language!

[poor_mouse]

I was also puzzled with this expression in "Teach Yourself Gaelic" (Aonad 17, Còmhradh, tha mi a' smaoineachadh); but then I googled it, and it's not a rare bird.
What does it mean I do not know...

[Níall Beag]

Yeah. So "Fòram na Gàidhlig" means "The Gàidhlig forum?"

This is exactly correct.

Now, as to the "ceòl Gàidhlig", well, the thing with Gaelic is that the article is optional before a language name.
So "in Gaelic" is either "ann an Gàidhlig" (lit. in Gaelic) or "anns a' Ghàidhlig" (lit in the Gaelic). The traditional difference between "ceòl Gàidhlig" and "ceòl na Gàidhlig" would have been a matter of personal style and local dialect.

In learner-speak, "Gaelic" has a tendency to be translated as "Gàidhlig" (noun, language name) even when "gaidhealach" (adjective, of or relating to the Gaels) is more appropriate.

I don't know whether "ceòl Gàidhlig" is a recent Beurlaism or not (the authors of TY know Gaelic better than me, anyway), but it's a term I've been told to avoid by several Gaels -- singers, to boot.

[CelticSpice]

This is exactly correct.

Now, as to the "ceòl Gàidhlig", well, the thing with Gaelic is that the article is optional before a language name.
So "in Gaelic" is either "ann an Gàidhlig" (lit. in Gaelic) or "anns a' Ghàidhlig" (lit in the Gaelic). The traditional difference between "ceòl Gàidhlig" and "ceòl na Gàidhlig" would have been a matter of personal style and local dialect.

In learner-speak, "Gaelic" has a tendency to be translated as "Gàidhlig" (noun, language name) even when "gaidhealach" (adjective, of or relating to the Gaels) is more appropriate.

I don't know whether "ceòl Gàidhlig" is a recent Beurlaism or not (the authors of TY know Gaelic better than me, anyway), but it's a term I've been told to avoid by several Gaels -- singers, to boot.

Mòran taing!

So if I'm understanding this correctly, if I were to refer to "Gaelic Music," I should say, "Ceòl Gaidhealach?"

[poor_mouse]

Mòran taing airson ur cuideachadh, a Nèill!

I think that it would not be very good thing for me to "teach myself" with TYG only -- in spite of all my gratitude for its authors.