Fòram na Gàidhlig

This discussion started in the News section, but has turned grammatical on us, so thought we could continue it here:

markmcco wrote:That's just a question of bracketing -

(Mac (bean (dràibhear (bùs na sgoile)))) - right-branching.

((Gearradh Arm) na h-Alba) - left-branching.

OK, grammar fans:


Glasgow's Bank of Scotland:

Banca na h-Alba Ghlaschu = (Banca na h-Alba= fixed phrase) Glaschu (genitive of place)


Dè mu dheidhinn - Portree's Bank of Scotland:

Banca na h-Alba Phort Rìgh (I tend towards the classic genitive of place - lenite first noun, leave the rest?= of Kingsport)

any arguments for
Banca na h-Alba Puirt Rìgh (genitivise first word of name, leave rest? )
Banca na h-Alba Port Rìgh (consider second noun already in the genitive and leave rest? )

(ignoring the literal Banca na h-A port an Rìgh = the B of S of the port of the King.)

and Tain?

Banca na h-Alba Bhaile Dhubhthaich?
Banca na h-Alba Baile Dhubhthaich? (Dubhthaich being genitive of a proper name - of Duthus?) - too literal?



And then there are placenames with a definite article in the genitive:

Literal ones:

Banca na h-Alba a' Ghearasdain? (of the garrison)


Not so literal:

Eaglais na h-Alba na h-Eaglaise Bhrice? (The church of Scotland of Falkirk /the C of S of the Speckled Church?)


Article in the middle, possibly with adjectives to complicate things:

B na h-Alba Thobar / Tobar / Thobair na Màthar? ( of Motherwell)
B na h-Alba Bhail' Ùr an t-Slèibh / Bail' Ùr an t-Slèibh / Bhail' Ùir an t-Slèibh etc?? (of Newtonmore)



AND of course we might have to put them all into the Dative if it's IN the bank/ church etc, or the bank IN the town....


Abair spòrs!

Càit' a bheil am putan "'S toil"?

Tha putan "taing" ann

Sunndach aig Runrig wrote:Tha ghrian a’ sìneadh sìos
Air sràidean Phortrìgh

http://www.foramnagaidhlig.net/index.php?page=103

Since it's not sràidean Phuirt Rìgh, I'd says it's Banca na h-Alba Thobar na Màthar

Most placenames show the genitive only by lenition. There are some notable exceptions:

• * placenames beginning with an/a'
  * placenames with certain final elements: -b(h)agh, -bost, -dal
  * randoms: Leòdhas

The list isn't complete but so far, the three-way split has served me well.