Guide To The Pronunciation of Modern Scots Gaelic Detailed With Examples

The Guide to Reading Gaelic
A01 (-)(i)(-) [ a ] A04 (-)ai + ll, nn, m llC(-), nnC(-), mC(-) STRESSED [ ai ] [ ai ]
When or i, which may be preceded and/or followed by other letters occur, you get long [a]. There are a small number of exceptions (like Gidheal and pipear ). Note that some dialects have a tendency to turn many i combinations into []. Examples: rach lr b [arx] [Lar] [ba] ite cite a-mhin [ad] [kahd] [vaN] []
This rule deals with ai (optionally with letters in front of it) which is followed either by: ll, nn or m without anything following them, that is, at the end of a word ll, nn or m which are immediately followed by a consonant and optionally more letters In all cases the pronunciation will be [ai]. Examples: aill [aiL] [kaiL] [kraiN] aillse aimbeart bainnse [aiL] [mbRd] [b N] [ au ] [ au ] caill crainn
STRESSED
A02 (-)aoi + b(-), bh(-), dh(-), m(-), mh(-), gh(-), dh(-)
When you get aoi in a stressed syllable, possibly after some letters, you most commonly get the [] sound if they are followed by one of the above labials or gh/dh. Examples: craoibhe daoimean faoighe A03 (-)ao(i)[krj] [diman] [fj] aoigh naoidhean claoidh [j] [Njan] [kLj] [ ]
STRESSED STRESSED
A05 (-)a + ll, nn, m llC(-), nnC(-), mC(-)
When the previous rule doesnt apply, ao and aoi at the beginning or in the middle of a word are both pronounced []. Examples: aosta gaol faodaidh [sd] [gL] [fd] aois taois maoil [ ] [t ] [ml ]
This rule deals with au (optionally with letters in front of it) which is followed either by: ll, nn or m without anything following them, that is, at the end of a word ll, nn or m which are immediately followed by a consonant and optionally more letters In all cases the pronunciation will be [au]. Examples: call ann cam [kauL] [auN] [kaum] calltainn annta campa [kauLdN] [Nd] [kmb]
STRESSED
Akerbeltz - Goireasan Gidhlig air an lon 03/2011

A06 (-)a(i) + rd(-), rl(-), rn(-), rr, rrC(-) VAR: [ a ] A08 (-)ai + ghC(-) []
You get long [a] if a or ai are followed by double rr at the end of a word double rr which is immediately followed by a consonant and possibly more letters rd, rl or rn which may be then followed by any other letters The vowels affected by these consonants are sometimes written as but this isnt necessary as its totally predictable when the a will be long. Not using the grave also avoids the problem of having to remove the grave when vowels are added to a word, for example barr [baR] & barra [baR] vs brr [baR] and barra [baR]. Examples: barr sparr Farr

When ai, either preceded by other letters or not, is followed by gh and another consonant immediately after, the pronunciation will be []. Other letters may follow but wont affect the pronunciation of the ai. This rules operates in conjunction with rule G09. Examples: STRESSED saighdear saighde slaightear [sidr] [sid] [sLidr] maighdeann maighdeag faighnich [midN] [midag] [fin] [ ]
STRESSED
[baR] [sbaR] [faR]
rd crn irde
[aRd] [kaRN] [aRd] [] STRESSED
A09 (-)a + dhC(-), ghC(-)
When a, either preceded by other letters or not, is followed by gh or dh and another consonant immediately after, the pronunciation will be []. Other letters may follow but wont affect the pronunciation of the a. Examples: adhbrann adhbhar Fadhlainn [brN] [vr] [fLN] laghdaich adhlac adhradh [Ld] [Lg] [r]
STRESSED
A07 (-)ai + [h] [x] []
When the ai group, possibly with letters in front of it, is followed by one of the guttural fricatives [h] [x] or [], you usually get []. Examples: faicinn cait aice [fgN] [khd] [g] craiceann slait caitheamh [krgN] [sLhd] [khv]

A10 (-)a + dh(V-), gh(V-) [] STRESSED A12 (-)a + lb(-), lbh(-), lch(-), lg(-), lgh(-), lm(-), lmh(-) nb(-), nbh(-), nch(-), ngh(-), nm(-), nmh(-) rb(-), rbh(-), rch(-), rg(-), rgh(-), rm(-), rmh(-) ml(-), mr(-), ms(-), mch(-) [ a-a ] [ a-a ] [ a-a ] [ a-a ] STRESSED
In a stressed syllable, when a (possibly with letters in front of it) is followed by dh or gh at the end or alternatively by a vowel and possibly more letters, then you get a short []. Examples: laghach aghaidh taghadh [L.x] [.] [t.] adha adharc radharc [.] [.rg] [R.rg] [ - ] [ - ] [ - ] [ - ]
When a, possibly with letters in front of it, is involved in a helping vowel appearing, you get [a-a]. Other letters may follow. Examples: Alba Banbh arm [aLab] [banav] [aram] margadh garbh amlach [marag] [garav] [amaLx] [a]
A11 (-)ai + lb(-), lbh(-), lch(-), lg(-), lgh(-), lm(-), lmh(-) nb(-), nbh(-), nch(-), ngh(-), nm(-), nmh(-) rb(-), rbh(-), rch(-), rg(-), rgh(-), rm(-), rmh(-) ml(-), mr(-), ms(-), mch(-)
A13 (-)a(i)(-) ELSEWHERE
When the ai group, possibly with letters in front of it, is involved in a helping vowel appearing, this is most commonly [-]. Other letters may follow. Note that although [-] is the most common denominator, ai in this environment is far from uniform, the most common alternative being [-a]. Examples: airgead ainm aimsir [rgd] [nm] [mr] tairbh cainb gairbhe [trv] [knb] [grv]
This rule means that if an a or ai, either at the start of a word or follwing letters and optionally with letters following, does not fit any of the other rules above, it will most commonly be pronounced [a] in a stressed syllable. Examples: acras aran athair [axgrs] [aran] [ahr] aiseag aifreann caileag [ag] [afrN] [kalag]
STRESSED
STRESSED

A14 -ail(-) [ al ] UNSTRESSED A17 -aigh(-) [ aj ] UNSTRESSED
This ending in an unstressed syllable will usually have clear [a]. Other letters may follow. Examples: togail anail caochail A15 [togal] [anal] [kxal] fearail laghaileachd mrail [fral] [Lalxg] [moral] [a]
In an unstressed syllable -aigh will be [aj], both when it is at the end of a word or when more letters follow. This ending is most common in surnames and place names. Examples: Barraigh Strmaigh Rnaigh [baRaj] [sdrmaj] [Rnaj] Pabaigh MacAmhlaigh omhaigh [pabaj] [maxgLaj] [ivaj] [] []
-ag(-), -an(-)
These two endings in an unstressed syllable will have clear [a]. Remember that in the case of -an that only applies when its not a plural ending! Other letters may follow. Examples: beagan balachan curran A16 -aig(-) -ain(-) [began] [baLxan] [kuRan] putag corrag marag [puhdag] [kRag] [marag] [ g ] [ N ]
A18 -aich(-) UNSTRESSED UNSTRESSED -aidh
UNSTRESSED
The -ai- in the above endings in an unstressed syllable will be []. If other letters follow the -aidh then you get [j]. Examples: glasaidh aghaidh margaidhean [gLas] [.] [maragjn] cungaidhean leasaichidh abaich [kugjn] [Les] [ab] []
A19 -ai(-) + PALATAL ([d] [g] [L] [N] [r] [])
When - in an unstressed syllable - the endings -ag and -an are slenderised for whatever reason, you get []. Other letters may follow the -aig and -ain. Examples: beagain balachain currain [begN] [baLxN] [kuRN] putaige corraige maraige [puhdg] [kRg] [marg]
In an unstressed syllable ai, which may or may not be followed by other letters, will be [] if followed by a phonetically palatal sound. Examples: balaich caraid acainn [baL] [kard] [axgN] Pdraig abair a Raghnaill! [padrg] [abr] [ r.L]
UNSTRESSED

A20 -a(i)(-) ELSEWHERE [] UNSTRESSED B01 (-)V bhC(-) [ ]
In an unstressed syllable a, which may or may not be followed by other letters, will be [] when none of the previous rules apply. Examples: balach lomarra balla [baLx] [LomR] [baL] craim altraim foghlaim [kurm] [aLdrm] [fLm]
When you have a vowel that is marked long followed by a broad bh which itself is followed immediately by another consonant, the bh is silent. Other letters may come in front of the long vowel and follow the consonant but have no effect. This spelling rule is handled a bit messily by some so you may want to check a dictionary. For example, the word for swallow can be found as gobhlan and gbhlan (both [gLan]). If you find any cases of a spelling with the grave, then assume it should be present in all cases. Examples: dbhlan sibhlach bhlan [duLan] [ uLx] [uLn] cbhraidh dbhran sebhrag [kur] [dran] [ rag] [v]
B R O A D
B02 (-)VV / V + bhV(-)
This slightly complicated looking rule looks worse than it is. It means that when you get a bh following a diphthong or a long vowel and get another vowel after it, the bh will usually still be pronounced [v]. This only happens after natural diphthongs and long vowels, as in where the spelling tells you directly that its a diphthong or long vowel. The kind of diphthong you get in rule B01 doesnt count here. Examples: uabhasach treubhan buabhall [uvsx] [trevn] [buvL] craobhan faobhar bhaist [krvn] [fvr] [avd]
B R O A D

B03 -bhC(-) [u] B R O A D B06 (-)b(-) [b] B R O A D
If rule B01 does not apply and you have a broad bh immediately followed by another consonant, with letters in front and possibly after, then the bh will turn into an [u] vowel. Examples: cabhsair sabhs labhrach B04 (-)VbhV(-) [kausr] [saus] [Laurx] slabhraidh bobhla abhlann [sLaur] [buL] [auLN] [. ]
This rule deals with the remaining cases of broad b. It means that you can expect a broad b to be [b] both at the start, in the middle and at the end of words. Examples: baga balla aba [bag] [baL] [ab] cabar gob b [kabr] [gob] [b] [ iv ]
B07 (-) + u() () o() () () a() u + bh
This rule affects bh that is caught between two vowels, possibly with other sounds coming before and after. Such a bh will usually result in hiatus. There are quite a few exceptions to this rule as it can also still be [v] and on occasion [u]. Examples: abhainn ubhal gobhar [a.N] [u.L] [go.r] rubha diabhal cobhair [Ru.] [di.L] [ko.r]
When a slender bh is preceded by a back vowel or back diphthong and the bh is at the end of the word then you get [iv]. Other letters may come in front. Examples: dhaibh dhuibh bhuaibh B08 (-)VbhC(-) [aiv] [iv] [vuiv] luibh draibh saoibh [liv] [draiv] [siv] [i]
S L E N D E R
B R O A D
B05 (-)bh(-) ELSEWHERE
[v] B R O A D
S L E N D E R
This means that in all those cases where none of the previous rules about bh have applied, you can assume that its going to be [v], both at the start and at end of words. Examples: bhsaich bhuail bhagair [vas] [vul] [vagr] craobh taobh falbh [krv] [tv] [faLav]
When a slender bh is between a vowel and a consonant, it is usually [ i ]. Examples: cuibhreann duibhre aibhne [kuirN] [dir] [aiN] aoibhneas coibhneil cuibhle [iNs] [kiNal] [kil]

B09 (-)VbhV(-) [j] S L E N D E R B12 bhl bhr [ vl ] [ vr ] S L E N D E R
When a slender bh is between vowels, normally the outcome is a [ j ]. Common exceptions are the name Dibhidh [daiv], recent loanwords like cleabhar [klvr] and draibhear [draivr] and high register words like slibhe [ Lev]. Examples: sibheag luibhean MaRuibhe [sujag] [Ljn] [maruj] duibhe cuibheas luibheach [dj] [kujs] [Ljx] [ iv ]
When a slender bh is followed by an l or r, then the broad/slender rule does not apply to the bh and it will always be [v]. Examples: bhleoghann bhleadraig bhliadhna [vl.N] [vledrg] [vliN] gl bhragha gl bhre d bhriathar [gle vria.] [gle vr] [da vrihr] [v]
B10 u() () o() () () a() au + bh
B13 (-)bh(-) ELSEWHERE S L E N D E R
A slender bh after a back vowel at the end of the word is normally [iv] in a stressed syllable. Examples: dhaibh luibh draibh [aiv] [Liv] [draiv] saoibh ruibh craoibh [siv] [riv] [kriv] [ vj ]
This means that in all those cases where none of the previous rules about bh apply, you can assume that its going to be [v]. Examples: bhd bhithinn a bhean [vid] [vi.N] [ vn] uairibh claibh Gallaibh [urv] [kuLv] [gaLv] [ bj ]
SLENDER
B11 bh + u() () o() () () a() au (-)
B14 b + u() () o() () () a() au (-)
When you get slender bh at the start of a word and it is followed by a back vowel (long, short or diphthong) you get a [vj]. Examples: bhethaich bhiodh Bhernaraigh [vj.] [vj] [vjaRNraj] fo bheanntan d bhig bhearr
When you get slender b at the start of a word and it is followed by any type of back vowel you get a [bj]. SLENDER Examples: bethaich biodh Bernaraigh [bj.] [bj] [bjaRNraj] beanntan bearr big [bjNdn] [bjaR] [bjug]
SLENDER
[f vjauNdn] [da vjug] [vjaR]

B15 (-) + u o a u + b(-) [ ib ] S L E N D E R B17 (-)b(-) ELSEWHERE [b] S L E N D E R
When a slender b is preceded by a long back vowel or back diphthong then you get [ib]. Other letters may come in front and/or behind the whole group. Examples: sglib slibeach sguaib B16 bl br [sgLaib] [sLaibx] [sguib] lib libeach ribean [Luib] [Luibx] [Riban] [ bl ] [ br ]
This deals with all remaining cases of slender b not covered by the other rules. It means that when you get slender b at the beginning, in the middle or at the end of a word in any other environment, it's simply going to be [b]. Examples: beaga bile ribe [beg] [bil] [Rib] rib biadh beinn [Rib] [bi] [beiN]
When a slender b is followed by an l or r, then the broad/slender rule does not apply to the b and it will always be [b]. Examples: bleoghann bleadraig bliadhna [bl.N] [bledrg] [bliN] bragha bre briathar [bria.] [br] [brihr]
SLENDER

C01 cn[ kr ] C04 -chd(-) [ xg ] B R O A D
When you have a c at the start of a word followed by an n (and then more letters), the n will change to an [r] in pronunciation and the next vowel will be nasal. The nasality here is important to maintain the distinction with words that start with cr, for example crbhach [kravx] devout and cnmhach [krvx] bony. Examples: cnag cnmh cnoc C02 (-)Vc(-) [krg] [krv] [kr xg] cn cnuimh cnuaic [kr ] [kriv] [kr g] [ xg ]
When you get -chd either in the middle or at the end of a word, it will be [xg]. So in spite of the spelling, pairs like sloc and slochd are pronounced exactly the same. Examples: achd uchd beachd C05 chn[axg] [uxg] [bxg] a-nochd achdan cleachdadh [Nxg] [axgn] [klxg] [ xr ]
B R O A D B R O A D
This rule tells you that when you get a broad c after a vowel in the middle or at the end of a word, you will get a pre-aspirated group: [xg]. This only applies in stressed syllables. Examples: aca dic faca C03 (-)Vc(-) [axg] [duxg] [faxg] muclach glac mac [muxgLx] [gLaxg] [maxg] [g]
This rule is very similar to C01. When you have a ch at the start of a word followed by an n (and then more letters), the n will change to a [r] in pronunciation and the next vowel will be nasal. The nasality here is important to maintain the distinction with words that start with chr, for example chrbhach [xravx] devout and chnmhach [krvx] bony. Examples: d chnag d chnmh d chnoc [da xrg] [da xrv] [da xr xg] d chn d chnuimh d chnuaic [da xr ] [da xriv] [da xr g]
B R O A D
B R O A D
In an unstressed syllable, if you have a c after a vowel you do not get pre-aspiration. Case of this are rare. Examples: adhlac [Lg] todhlac [tiLg]

C06 (-)ch(-) ELSEWHERE [x] B R O A D C09 cn[ kr ] S L E N D E R
This rule tells you that when all previous rules about broad ch do not apply, the pronunciation will be [x] at the beginning, in the middle and at the end of words. Examples: chaidh chosg machair C07 -Cc(-) [xaj] [xsg] [maxr] cochall ach loch [kxL] [ax] [Lx] [g]
This rule is very similar to C01. When you have a slender c at the start of a word followed by an n (and then more letters), the n will change to a [r] in pronunciation and the next vowel will be nasal. As in C01 and C04, the nasality is important here. Note that the [k] is just a broad [k], the broad/slender difference doesnt apply here. Examples: cneasta cnead cneutag C10 clcr[krsd] [krd] [krhdag] cneas Cnp cniadaich [krs] [krhb] [kr d] [ kl ] [kr]
When broad c is preceded by another consonant and other letters, possibly followed by more letters, the c will weaken to a [g]. Many speakers have an extra [x] sound in lc and rc groups, for example: olc [Lxg]. Examples: olc adharc rc [Lg] [.rg] [arg] banca ascaoin falcag [bag] [asgN] [faLgag] [k]
B R O A D
When you get a slender cl or cr group at the beginning of a word, the broad/slender rules dont apply to the c and it will always be broad [k]. Examples: cleas clisg cl [kles] [klig] [kli] cridhe crios creag [kri.] [kris] [kreg]
SLENDER
C08 c- ELSEWHERE Examples: cas caran cir [kas] [karan] [kr] corr crag clann [kR] [krag] [kLauN]
If broad c is at the beginning of words elsewhere, it will simply be [k].
B R O A D

C11 (-)Vc(-) [ g ] C14 chn[ xr ] S L E N D E R
This rule is very similar to C02. This rule tells you that when you get a slender c after a vowel, either at the start, in the middle or at the end of a word, you will get a pre-aspirated group: [g]. This also only applies in stressed syllables. Examples: ic mic lic C12 (-)Vc(-) [ig] [mig] [Lig] reic faicinn craiceann [Reg] [fgN] [krgN] [ g ]
This rule is very similar to C08. When you have a slender ch at the start of a word followed by an n (and then more letters), the n will change to an [r] in pronunciation and the next vowel will be nasal. Note that the ch is just a broad [x], the broad/slender difference doesnt apply here. Examples: gl chneasta d chnead d chneutag [gle xrsd] [da xrd] [da xrhdag] d chneas Chnp chniadaich [da xrs] [xrhb] [xrd] [ xl ] [xr]
SLENDER S L E N D E R
In an unstressed syllable, if you have a slender c after a vowel you do not get pre-aspiration. Case of this are rare also. Examples: adhlaic ionnraic C13 -chd(-) [Lg] [ jNrg] todhlaic ceimic [tiLg] [kemg] [ g ]
C15 chlchr-
S L E N D E R
When you get a slender chl or chr group, the broad/slender rules dont apply to the ch and it will always be broad [x]. Examples: d chleas gl chlisg bhon a chl [da xles] [gle xlig] [vn xli] d chridhe d chrios d chreag [da xri.] [da xris] [da xreg] []
When you get slender -chd either in the middle or at the end of a word, it will be [g]. This is rather rare and most frequently appears as a spelling variant where -ic and -ichd are confused because the pre-aspiration in -ic makes it sounds exactly like -ichd. Examples: clchd (clc) araichd [klig] [arg] gloichd (gloic) imrichd sginichd [gLg] [imirg] [sging]
C16 (-)ch(-) ELSEWHERE SLENDER
S L E N D E R
This means that when no other specific rules exist for slender ch, it will be [] anywhere else. Examples: ch cheumnaich abaichead [i] [emn] [abd] faiche aidich fairich [fa] [ad] [far]
buaichd (buaic) [bug]

C17 -Cc(-) [ g ] S L E N D E R D01 (-)VdhV(-) [. ]
When a slender c is preceded by another consonant, then it will weaken to [g]. Many speakers have an extra [] sound in lc and rc groups, for example: circe [kirg]. Examples: cailc pirc uircean C18 cV(-) [kalg] [parg] [urgan] circe failcean coirce [kirg] [falgan] [krg] [ k ]
This complicated looking rule just means that when you get a broad dh between vowels, then it is most likely going to be pronounced as hiatus. Note the common exception modhail [mal]. Examples: adha cladhadh bodhar D02 (-)VdhC(-) [.] [kL.] [bo.r] odhar crudha rudhadh [o.r] [kru.] [Ru.] [ ]
BROAD
When slender c appears at the start of a word and is followed by a vowel, it will be pronounced [k]. Examples: cel ceum cearr [kL] [kem] [kaR] ciin cs cill [kuN] [ki ] [kiL]
After a short vowel (never a diphthong) when you get a broad dh which is immediately followed by a consonant, then the dh itself will be silent. Check the individual vowels for the effect this has on the vowel. Examples: adhbrann adhbhar laghdaich D03 (-)V dh [brN] [vr] [Ld] bliadhna adhlac adhradh [bliN] [Lg] [r] [ ]
SLENDER
BROAD BROAD
When dh follows a long vowel and the dh is at the end of the word, it will be silent. Examples: glaodh grdh rdh [gL] [gra] [Ra] sdh srdh crdh [su] [sdr] [kra]

D04 -dhExamples: dha dhfhs d dhn D05 (-)d(-) Broad d just on its own in all other cases will be [d]. BROAD Examples: d donn dn [da] [duN] [dun] ad badan aonad [ad] [badan] [nd] [j] [a] [as] [da un] dhut ruadh moladh [uhd] [Ru] [mL] [d] [] B R O A D D07 (-) i() e() () + dhV(-) dh [.] [ ] SLENDER
When none of the previous rules about broad dh apply, it will be [].
When you get slender dh after a front vowel and it is followed by a vowel, then you usually get hiatus. If its at the end of the word, there is no sound. Examples: cidhe cridhe glidheadh D08 dhrdhl[ki.] [kri.] [gle.] didh bdh ridh [de] [bi] [Re] [ r ] [ l ]
D06 (-) u() () o() () () a() u + dh(V)
This rule is closely linked with D07. When slender dh follows a back vowel and is either at the end of a word or followed by a vowel, then you usually get a [ j ]. Examples: buidhe buidheann draoidheachd [buj] [bujN] [drjxg] idh aoidh igh [uj] [j] [aj]
This is another instance where the broad/slender distinction has been broken. When a slender dh at the start of a word is followed by an r or l, it is pronounced [], as if it was broad. In case of a dhr, the r will also be broad. Other letters always follow but have no effect on the pronounciation. Examples: d dhreuchd do dhrin [da riaxg] [d ren] d dhreach d dhlighe [da rx] [da li.] gl dhrichdach [gle ruxgx] SLENDER
SLENDER
d dhleastanas [da lesdns]

D09 dh- ELSEWHERE [] SLENDER E01 (-)a + m, mh, p [ ] STRESSED
In all cases where D08 doesnt apply, initial slender dh will be [ ] irrespective of what comes after it. Examples: a dhth d dhnnear gl dhleas D10 drdl[ i] [da iNr] [gle ils] dheth gl dhearg dhealaich [ eh] [gle rg] [ aL] [ dr ] [ dl ]
Either at the beginning or in the middle of a word in a stressed syllable a is usually pronounced []. Examples: namh napaigear tramhla [N v] [Nhbgr] [tr vLa] fram samh sam [frm] [ v] [ m] [ ia ]
E02 (-)a- ELSEWHERE
Similar to D08 when a slender d at the beginning of a word is followed by an r or l, it will be pronounced like a broad [d]. In case if a dr, the r will also be broad. Examples: dreuchd drichdach drin D11 (-)d(-) [driaxg] [druxgx] [dren] dreach dlighe dleastanas [drx] [dli.] [dlesdns] [ d ]
Either at the beginning or in the middle of a word in a stressed syllable a is going to be pronounced [ia]. Examples: dan bragha cradh E03 (-)(i)(-) [dian] [bria.] [kria] tarainte asgaidh fath [tiarNd] [iasg] [fia] VAR: (i) [ e ] SLENDER SLENDER
STRESSED
Where the previous rules for slender d do not apply, it will be [d] at the beginning, in the middle and at the end of a word. Examples: dearg deud dnnear [drg] [ded] [diNr] aidich oide abaid [ad] [d] [abd]
This rule states that when you get or i either at the beginning, in the middle or at the end of a word it will be pronounced [e]. Note that there are variant spellings (especially GOC) where (i) is spelled (i) so it may be advisable to check in an older dictionary when you come across words with (i). Examples: is ibhinn d [e ] [ev] [de] gl lir sideadh [gle] [Ler] [ed]
STRESSED

E04 (-)ei- + rd(-), rl(-), rn(-), rr VAR: (i) [ ] E06 e(i)[ j ] STRESSED
This rule tells you that when you get ei in a stressed syllable, possibly with letters in front of it, immediately followed by rd, rl or rn (possibly with letters after) or rr (at the end of the word), then you get a long []. Note that there are variant spellings where ei is spelled i. Since this is totally predictable, the accent here isnt necessary as you can see in many older publications which leave it out. Examples: mirleach spirlig mirdreach E05 (-)(i)[mRlx] [sbRlg] [mRdrx] girnean smirne mirneal [gRNan] [smRN] [mRnL] [ ]
When you have e or ei at the beginning of a word, then usually there will be a [ j ] sound in front of the []. Examples: elach elas erna E07 -e(i)[ jLx] [ jLs] [ jRn] Eghann ein erlain [ j.N] [ jN] [ jRLN] [ ] STRESSED STRESSED
When you have -e or -ei after one or more consonants, it will simply be long []. Examples: ce sel bre E08 -eo(-) [k] [L] [br] be feir meir [bj] [fjr] [mjr] []
STRESSED
This rule is in contrast with E02 but the principle is the same. When you get or i either at the beginning, in the middle or at the end of a word it will be pronounced []. Note that in some modern spellings this spelling overlaps with (i) so you may have to check with an older dictionary to be sure. Examples: gn simh bicear [gr ] [ v] [bgr] minn snip stisean [mN] [ Nhb] [sdan]
When you have eo in the stressed syllable of a word it will be pronounced as a short []. In a few Gaelic words you get an eo in the unstressed syllable of a word as a result of a word with long e having joined with another word or prefix. The result often is also a short []. Examples: seo deoch cleoc [ ] [dx] [klxg] sgleog aineol aindeoin [sglg] [aNL] [aNn]
(UN)STRESSED

E09 (-)eu + m(-) [ e ] E11 (-)ei + lb(-), lbh(-), lch(-), lg(-), lgh(-), lm(-), lmh(-) nb(-), nbh(-), nch(-), ngh(-), nm(-), nmh(-) rb(-), rbh(-), rch(-), rg(-), rgh(-), rm(-), rmh(-) ml(-), mr(-), ms(-), mch(-) STRESSED [ e-e ] [ e-e ] [ e-e ] [ e-e ] STRESSED
Rules E07 and E08 deal with the issue of how to unscramble the different pronunciations of eu. When the eu, at the beginning or in the middle of a stressed syllable is followed by an m then it is most likely going to be [e]. It will also be [e] if the word is fancy. Examples: beum ceum Seumas [bem] [kem] [ ems] feum leum treun [fem] [Lem] [tren] [ ia ]
When ei, possibly with letters in front of it, is involved in a helping vowel appearing, you get [e-e]. Other letters may follow. Examples: seilbh seilcheag eilgheadh [ elev] [ eleag] [elej] eirbhir seirbheis meirg [erevr] [ erev ] [mereg] [ ei ] [ ei ]
E10 (-)eu- ELSEWHERE
When E07 does not apply, the eu is most likely going to be pronounced as an [ia] diphthong. Examples: ceud meud reubadh [kiad] [miad] [Riab] deuchainn deug eun [diaxN] [diag] [ian]
E12 (-)ei + ll, nn, m llC(-), nnC(-), mC(-)
STRESSED
This rule deals with ei (possibly with letters in front of it) which is followed either by: ll, nn or m without anything following them, that is, at the end of a word ll, nn or m which are immediately followed by a consonant and optionally more letters In all cases the pronuciation will be [ei]. Examples: beinn seinn spreill [beiN] [ eiN] [sbreiL] greim teinntean einnsean [greim] [teiNdan] [eiNan]
STRESSED

E13 (-)e(i)(-) ELSEWHERE [e] E15 (-)ea + lb(-), lbh(-), lch(-), lg(-), lgh(-), lm(-), lmh(-) nb(-), nbh(-), nch(-), ngh(-), nm(-), nmh(-) rb(-), rbh(-), rch(-), rg(-), rgh(-), rm(-), rmh(-) STRESSED ml(-), mr(-), ms(-), mch(-) [ - ] [ - ] [ - ] [ - ] STRESSED
When you get e at the end of a one-syllable word ei either at the beginning of a word or following some letters, immediately followed by another slender consonant it will be pronounced [e]. Other letters may follow but dont have to. Examples: le eile ceist [le] [el] [ked] greimeag seillean seinneadair [gremag] [ eLan] [ eNdr] [j]
When ea, possibly with letters in front of it, is involved in a helping vowel appearing, you get [-]. Other letters may follow. You will also hear [-a] instead of [-] quite a lot. Just be consistent about which one you choose yourself. Examples: dealbh seanchaidh dearg [dLv] [ nx] [drg] Fearghas seanmhair seamrag [frs] [ nvr] [ mrag] [] [ . ]
E14 ea + [L], [R]
At the beginning of a word if ea is followed by a dark [L] or [R] then the word will start with a [ j ] glide. The vowel itself varies and is covered in rules E16 to E17. Examples: eala ealain ealbh [ jaL] [ jaLN] [ jLv] earrach earr earlas [ jaRx] [ jaR] [ jaRLs]
STRESSED
E16 (-)ea + bh bhV(-)
After an eabh group at the end of a word, the ea will be [], if another vowel follows (and maybe more letters) then you get hiatus as well. Examples: treabh treabhadh leabhar [tr] [tr.] [L.r] feabhas seabhag steabhag [fj.s] [ .ag] [ d.ag]
STRESSED

E17 (-)ea + ll, nn llC(-), nnC(-) bhC(-), dhC(-), mhC(-) [ au ] [ au ] [ au ] E18 (-)ea(i) + rd(-), rl(-), rn(-), rr, rrC(-) VAR: e [ a ]
When ea in a stressed syllable (possibly with letters in front of it) is followed either by: ll or nn without anything following them, that is, at the end of a word ll or nn which are immediately followed by a consonant and optionally more letters bh, dh or mh which are immediately followed by a consonant and optionally more letters the pronunciation in all cases will be [au]. Note that in cases of mhC nasalisation usually also appears. Examples: seall sealltainn gleann [ auL] [ auLdN] [glauN] gleanntan leamhrag geamhradh [glauNdn] [Lrag] [gr]
This rule tells you that when, possibly after some letter, you get ea in a stressed syllable immediately followed by rd, rl or rn (possibly with letters after) rr at the end of the word rr followed by a consonant (possibly with more letters after) then you get a long [a]. Note that there are variant spellings (especially GOC) where ea is spelled e, even before rr. Since this is totally predictable, the accent here isnt really necessary as you can see in many older publications which dont use it. Because it is so well-established, I have stuck to using before rl, rd and rn. However, as its misleading before rr, I have stuck to the traditional convention of not writing it. Examples: cernag cearr Terlach
STRESSED
STRESSED
[kaRnag] [kaR] [taRLx]
gearrte dearrsadh s fheairrde

[gaRd] [daRs] [ aRd]

E19 -ea + [L]V(-), [N]V(-), [R]NOT before helping vowel [a] E21 (-)ea + dhC(-), ghC(-) [ ] STRESSED
When the previous rules about ea do not apply and (possibly after some initial letters) you get dark [L] or [N] followed by a vowel and possibly some more letters [R] which is followed by some letters then you get short [a]. This does NOT apply in rules involving the helping vowel (such as E14). Examples: bealach sealladh gealladh [bjaLx] [ aL] [gaL] ceannach ceart gearradh [kaNx] [kaRd] [gaR] []
When an ea (potentially with letters in front of it) is in a stressed syllable that is followed by a dh or gh followed by a consonant (and possibly other letters), you get a long [] vowel. Examples: teaghlach teadhraichean [tLx] [trn] greadhnachas gleadhraich meadhrach [grnxs] [glr] [mjrx] [e] Cille Mheadhrain [kiLvjrN] STRESSED
E22 (-)ea + s(-), d(-), g(-)
E20 (-)ea + dh(V-), gh(V-)
When ea (potentially with letters in front of it) in a stressed syllable is followed by a s, d or g either at the end of the word or followed by other letters, it will be pronounced [e]. Examples: eas measail eadar STRESSED [es] [mesal] [edr] ceadaich beag leag [ked] [beg] [Leg] []
STRESSED
When an ea (potentially with letters in front of it) is in a stressed syllable that is followed by a dh or gh either at the end of the word or followed by a vowel and possibly other letters, you usually get an [] vowel. There are quite a few exceptions, most notably the word meadhan [mi.an]. Examples: seadh feadh leagh [ ] [fj] [L] an eadh? feadhainn leaghadh [ N] [fjN] [L.]
E23 (-)ea(i)- ELSEWHERE
In all those cases where the previous rules about ea in a stressed syllable do not apply ea will be pronounced [] at the beginning of a word or following other letter or letters and always followed by more letters. Note this rule most frequently contrasts with E21. Examples: eabar each creach [br] [x] [krx] geama fear Peairt [gm] [fr] [pRd]
STRESSED

E24 -eil(-) This ending in an unstressed syllable will have clear [a]. letters may follow. Examples: ainmeil caisteil cianail E25 -eid(-) This ending in an unstressed syllable will have clear [a]. letters may follow. Examples: aiseid rsaid boineid E26 -eag(-) -ean(-) [aad] [Rsad] [bnad] risimeid ribheid aimhreid [Re mad] [Rivad] [rad] [ ag ] [ an ] UNSTRESSED [nmal] [kadal] [kianal] cridheil fritheil sgoinneil [kri.al] [frihal] [sgNal] [ ad ] Other UNSTRESSED [ al ] Other UNSTRESSED E27 -ea[]
When you get ea in an unstressed syllable (which means it is always preceded by other letters) and always followed by another letter or letters, then it will most frequently be pronounced as a weak []. The only common exception to this are some of the special endings, such as the diminuitives -eag and -ean. Examples: cuireadh bitheanta tuilleadh E28 -eig(-) -ein(-) [kur] [bihNd] [tL] bhaisteach inneal fdheall [avdx] [iNL] [fi.L] [ g ] [ N ]
UNSTRESSED UNSTRESSED
When in an unstressed syllable the endings -eag and -ean are slenderised for whatever reason, you get []. Other letters may follow. Examples: Ailein! A Chailein! binnein [alN] [ xalN] [biNN] caileige boiseige binneige [kalg] [bg] [biNg]
These two endings in an unstressed syllable will almost always have clear [a]. Remember that in the case of -ean that only applies when its not a plural ending! Other letters may follow. The main exception for -eag is aiseag [ag]. Examples: Ailean Cailean binnean [alan] [kalan] [biNan] caileag boiseag binneag [kalag] [bag] [biNag]

E29 -e(i)(-) [] UNSTRESSED F01 fhlfhr[L] [r]
When you get e(i) in an unstressed syllable at the end of a word then it will be pronounced as a weak []. Note that this [] is always in danger of disappearing (see Error! Reference source not found.). Examples: cise eaglaise cidhe [ka] [egL] [ki.] ite cile buille [ahd] [kel] [buL]
Broad fh at the beginning of a word in these groups will be silent. Even though l and r are therefore the first sounds of such words, they will behave as if they were in the middle of a word so you get [L] (theres only one broad l, remember?) and weak [r]. Examples: d fhlasg d fhlath gl fhlagach F02 (-)fh[da Lasg] [da Lah] [gle Lagx] d fhras d fhrg d fhraoch [da ras] [da rg] [da rx] [ ]
BROAD BROAD
Broad fh either at the beginning of a word or in the middle is going to be totally silent in almost all cases. Fully dropping a sound feels weird to many people but its no weirder than dropping the k in knife. The only exceptions are fhuair [hur] (and other forms of the verb which begin with fhua-), fhathast [ha.sd] and fhalla [haL]. Examples: (a) fhalt (a) fhuil (a) fhear [aLd] [ul] [r] d fhileadh co-fharpais dhfhalbh [dal] [karb ] [aLav]

F03 (-)f(-) [f] BROAD F05 fh + u() () o() () () a() au [j]
Broad f either at the beginning of a word, in the middle or at the end is going to be simply [f] in all cases. Examples: falt fuil gafann F04 fhlfhr[faLd] [ful] [gafN] diofar riof graf [difr] [Rif] [graf] [l] [r]
When broad fh is lenited (see F01) it completely disappears. But the two different kinds of slender f behave differently depending on what comes after. As a slender f followed by a back vowel results in [fj ] (see F05), when you lenited the f away youre left with a [ j ] at the start of the word. Thats what this rule tells you. Examples: m fheil d fherag d fherna F06 [mjl] [da jrag] [da jaRn] gl fhighantach [gle ju.Ndx] m fheadhainn gl fhealltach [mjN] [gle jauLdx] [ ]
SLENDER
When you have a slender fhl or fhr group, the broad/slender rules dont apply to the fh and it will always behave like a broad fh. In a lenited fhr group the r behaves rather oddly and is usually a weak but non-palatal [r]. Examples: fhreagair d fhreiceadan d fhrth [regr] [da regdan] [da ri] d fhleasgach d fhleadh gl fhliuch [da lesgx] [da l] [gle lux]
fh ELSEWHERE
SLENDER
In those cases where F03 doesnt apply, slender lenited fh is going to be totally silent. That is, in front of front vowels such as [i] [i] [e] [e] [] [] etc. The only exception is fhin [hen]. Examples: gl fhiosrach gl fhrinneach d fheadag [gle isrx] [gle irNx] [da edag] m fheum fheara! d fheusag [mem] [r] [da iasag]
SLENDER

F07 flfr[ fl ] [ fr ] SLENDER G01 (-)VghV(-) [. ]
When you have a slender fl or fr group, the broad/slender rules dont apply to the f and it will always behave like a broad f. Examples: freagair freiceadan frth F08 [fregr] [fregdan] [fri] fleasgach fleadh fliuch [flesgx] [fl] [flux] [ fj ]
This means that when you get broad gh in between vowels, optionally with more letters in front and behind, the result is going to be hiatus in most cases. Some of the exceptions youre likely to encounter soon are laghail [Lal], leughadh [Leva] and eughachd [evxg]. Examples: bogha aghaidh taghadh [bo.] [.] [t.] sghadh leaghadh deoghail VAR: V [su.] [L.] [do.al] [ ]
BROAD
f + u() () o() () () a() au
A slender f at the start of a word is followed by a back vowel, the resulting pronunciation is [fj ]. Examples: feil ferna ferag F09 [fjl] [fjaRn] [fjrag] fighantach feadhainn fealltach [fju.Ndx] [fjN] [fjauLdx] [f]
G02 (-)VghC(-)
SLENDER
After a short vowel (never a diphthong) when you get a gh which is immediately followed by a consonant, then then gh itself will be silent. Check the individual vowels for the effect this has on the vowel. Note that some people choose to write this combination with a grave over the vowel. Examples: roghnaich foghnadh lughdaich

BROAD
(-)f (-) ELSEWHERE
[Ron] [fon] [Lud]
foghlam Dughlas ughdar

[foLm] [duLs] [udr]
In all cases where none of the other rules about slender f apply, it will simply be [f] both at the beginning of a word, in the middle or at the end. Examples: fiosrach feadag feusag [fisrx] [fedag] [fiasag] ifeachd taifeid An Rif [efxg] [tafd] [ Rif]
SLENDER

G03 (-)ugh (-)gh At the end of a word when you get u or before the broad gh, the gh is going to be silent. Examples: ugh sgh brgh G04 ghn[u] [su] [bru] an-diugh rdugh tiugh [Ndu] [Rdu] [tu] [ r ] BROAD BROAD G06 gn[ gr ]
This rule is similar to the rule about cn-. When you get broad gn at the beginning of a word, the n will become [r] and the next vowel will be nasal. Examples: gnis gnog gnst G07 (-)g(-) [gr ] [grg] [grsd] gnths gnag gnmhan [grs] [grg] [grvan] [g]
BROAD
This rule is similar to the rule about chn-. When you get broad ghnat the beginning of a word, the n will become [r] and the next vowel will be nasal. Examples: d ghnis d ghnog d ghnst [da r ] [da rg] [da rsd] d ghnths d ghnag d ghnmhan [da rs] [da rg] [da rvan]
In all other cases broad g at the beginning, in the middle and at the end of words will simply be [g]. Examples: glas gorm baga [gLas] [grm] [bag] ghV(-) gh BROAD magadh bog marag [mag] [bog] [marag] [. ] [ ]
BROAD
G08 i() e() () + G05 (-)gh(-) ELSEWHERE [] In all other cases where G01-04 dont apply, gh is going to be [] both at the start and at the end of words. Examples: ghlan ghoid truagh [Lan] [d] [tru] gh dragh laogh [a] [dr] [L]
When a slender gh follows a front vowel and is then itself followed by another vowel (and potentially more letters), the gh is going to show up as hiatus. At the end of a word, slender gh will be silent following those vowels. Examples: tighinn leighis greigheach [ti.N] [Le. ] [gre.x] lighiche rgh ligh [Li.] [Ri] [Le]
SLENDER

G09 -ghC(-) [i] SLENDER G12 ghn[ r ]
If you have a slender gh before a consonant, the gh will turn into (vowelise) to [i ]. Examples: saighdear maighdeag slaightear G10 -gh(V-) [sidr] [midag] [sLidr] maighdeann faighnich oighre [midN] [fin] [ir] [j]
This rule is similar to the rule about slender chn-. When you get slender ghnat the beginning of a word, the broad/slender rules do not apply to the gh and it will always be a broad []. The n will become [r] and the next vowel will be nasal. Examples: d ghnomh d ghnomhar [da r v] [da r vr] d ghn gl ghnitheil d ghnobann [da r ] [gle r .al] [da r bn] []
SLENDER
gl ghnomhach [gle r vx] G13 ghSLENDER
If you have a slender gh between vowels or at the end of a word then it will usually be [ j ]. If it is in an unstressed syllable, then it is a special endings and is silent, for example: dachaigh [dax]. Examples: laighe aoigheachd brigh G11 ghlghr[Laj] [jxg] [braj ] digh faigh bloigheag [dj ] [faj] [bLjag]
When G10 does not apply, slender gh- at the beginning of a word is going to be [ ]. Examples: mo ghiomach d gheas ghill G14 gl[m imx] [da es] [ eL] gl gheur ghilain [gle iar] [ uLN]
SLENDER
d gheamhradh [da r] [ gl ] [ gr ] SLENDER
[ l ] [ r ] SLENDER
gr-
When you get slender ghl- or ghr- at the beginning of a word, the broad/slender rules do not apply to the gh and it will always be a broad []. Examples: gl ghlic ghleac d ghleann [gle lig] [lxg] [da lauN] d ghrian d ghreis [da rian] [da re ]
When you get slender gl- or gr- at the beginning of a word, the broad/slender rules do not apply to the g and it will always be a broad [g]. Examples: glic gleac gleann [glig] [glxg] [glauN] grian greis greannach [grian] [gre ] [grNx]
gl ghreannach [gle rNx] Akerbeltz - Goireasan Gidhlig air an lon 03/2011

G15 gn[ gr ] H01 h[h]
This rule is similar to the rule about slender cn-. When you get slender gn- at the beginning of a word, the broad/slender rules do not apply to the g and it will be a broad [g], the n will become [r] and the next vowel will be nasal. Examples: gnomh gnomhar gnomhach [gr v] [gr vr] [gr vx] gn gnitheil gnobann [gr ] [gr .al] [gr bn] [ g ]
The letter h rarely appears in the basic form of words in Gaelic, with the exception of place-names borrowed from Norse perhaps, and most commonly shows up after certain forms of the article, possessives and other particles. Either way, there is no broad/slender difference with h at the beginning of a word. Examples: hama na h-adan a h-aran [ham] [n hadn] [ haran] Hiort a h-each [hiRd] [ hx] na h-eaglaisean [n hegLn]
SLENDER
G16 (-)g(-) ELSEWHERE
In all those cases where the previous rules about slender g do not apply, at the beginning, in the middle and at the end of words it will be [g]. Examples: gille geama sligeach [giL] [gm] [ Ligx] eige leig aisig [eg] [Leg] [ag]
SLENDER

I01 (-)io + lb(-), lbh(-), lch(-), lg(-), lgh(-), lm(-), lmh(-) nb(-), nbh(-), nch(-), ngh(-), nm(-), nmh(-) rb(-), rbh(-), rch(-), rg(-), rgh(-), rm(-), rmh(-) ml(-), mr(-), ms(-), mch(-) [ i-i ] [ i-i ] [ i-i ] [ i-i ] STRESSED I03 io + nnnnC(-) [ ju ] [ ju ] STRESSED
When io, possibly with letters in front of it, is involved in a helping vowel appearing, this is usually [i-i]. Other letters may follow. The exact vowel combination can vary quite a bit from area to area and depending on what comes next, the most common alternatives being something like [i-] or [i-]. Remember the most important thing is to have an extra vowel! Examples: iomradh ionmhas iomlan I02 [imir] [inivs] [imiLan] tiormaich iomchaidh [tirim] [imix] [ ju ]
When an io at the beginning of a word is followed by nn you get a [ju] sound (other letters may follow the io). If the nn is followed by a consonant, the io will have a long [ju] sound. Examples: ionnas ionnairidh ionnsaich I04 -io + [juNs] [juNr] [jNs] llV(-), nnV(-) ionnsramaid ionnsaigh ionndrainn [jNsdrmd] [jNs] [jNdrN] VAR: iu [u]
MacFhionghain [maxginiN]
io + dhl(-), l(-), ll(-)
This rule deals with non-initial io followed by ll or nn which are immediately followed by a vowel and optionally more letters In all cases the pronunciation will be short [u]. Note that in some cases the spelling has started to catch up with the pronunciation, using iu instead of io. Examples: giollachd sgiollag fionnar
iu
STRESSED
When an io at the beginning of a word is followed by a dhl, l or ll, you usually pronounce this as [ju]. Other letters may follow. Examples: iodhlann iolaire iolach [juLN] [juLr] [juLx] iollagach iolra iola [juLagx] [juLr] [juL]
STRESSED
[guLxg] [sguLag] [fjuNr]
mionnaich sionnach rionnag
[mjuN] [ uNx] [RuNag]

I05 (-)io + ll, nn, rr llC(-), nnC(-), rrC(-) rd(-), rl(-), rn(-) [ u ] [ u ] [ u ] I07 (-)o- ELSEWHERE [ i ] STRESSED
This rule deals with io (possibly with letters in front of it) which is followed either by: ll, nn or rr at the end of the word ll, nn or rr which are immediately followed by a consonant and optionally more letters rd, rl or rn, optionally followed by other letters This is usually very nasal if the nn is followed by a consonant. Examples: fionn os cionn lionn I06 [fjuN] [s kuN] [LuN] (-)o + b(-), bh(-) tionndadh sgiorrtachd giornalair [tNd] [sguRdxg] [guRnLr] [ i ]
If I06 does not apply, o is going to be pronounced [i] in a stressed syllable, either at the beginning of a word or following some initial letters. Examples: oghnadh oc osal I08 [in] [ixg] [isL] (-)(-) ELSEWHERE lon coch spon [Lin] [kix] [sbin] [ i ] STRESSED STRESSED
When none of the other rules about apply, then it will be simply long [i] in a stressed syllable at the beginning of a word or following some initial letters. Examples: seal [iL] [in] [ir] i(i)(-) cr Sne cl [kir] [ in] [kli] [ ju ] ne re I09
STRESSED
When you have o (possibly after other letters) followed by a b or bh and possibly more letters after, you get long [i]. Examples: sgrob boball pob [sgrib] [bibL] [pib] sgrobh sobhalta probhaideach [sgriv] [ ivLd] [privdx]
This rule deals with i and ii at the beginning of a word. Both combinations may be followed by other letters. There will usually be a glide in pronunciation before the i(i) so you get [ju]. Examples: iil idhach Poll I [jul] [ju.x] [pLju] ilag il iras [juLag] [juL] [jurs]
STRESSED

I10 -i(i)(-) [ u ] STRESSED I12 iu[ ju ] STRESSED
When i and ii are preceded by other letters in a stressed syllable, they will both just be [u] in pronunciation. Examples: ciineas siil stiirich I11 [kuNs] [ ul] [ dur] cli fi di [klu] [fju] [du] VAR: i [ u ] [ u ] [ u ] [ u ]
When you get iu at the beginning of a word, it will be pronounced [ju]. This is not a very common initial combination. Examples: iutharn iuchair iullagach I13 -iu[juhRn] [juxr] [juLagx] iurpais iubhar iulla [jurb] [ju.r] [juL] [u]
(-)iu(i) + ll, nn, m, rr llC(-), nnC(-), mC(-), rrC(-) rd(-), rl(-), rn(-) bhC(-), mhC(-)
An iu in a stressed syllable, with letters before it and after it, is just going to be a short [u] in pronunciation. Examples: fliuch siubhal an-diugh STRESSED I14 [flux] [ u.al] [Ndu] tiugh piuthar triubhas [tu] [pju.r] [tru.s] [ i ]
STRESSED
This rule deals with iu (possibly with letters in front of it) which is followed either by: ll, nn, m or rr at the end of a word ll, nn, m or rr followed immediately by another consonant and then optionally more letters rd, rl or rn which can be followed by more letters bh or mh immediately followed by a consonant and then optionally by more letters In all cases the pronuciation will be long [u]. As with A06 and E17, Im sticking to the traditional spelling of not using the grave on i before rr as it would lead to misleading spellings. Examples: ciurr (cirr) rium iunntachd

(-)ia(i)(-) ELSEWHERE
When you have ia or iai in a stressed syllable, either at the beginning or following some letters and optionally with more letters following, then it is most likely going to be [i]. It can sometimes be [ia] but its not possible to predict exactly. Examples: iarraidh [iR] [ir] [iRN] miann biadh grian [miN] [bi] [grin] iar iarann
STRESSED
[kuR] [rum] [jNdxg]
sirdan ibhrach pirna
[ uRdan] [jurx] [pjuRN]

I15 (-)i + lb(-), lbh(-), lch(-), lg(-), lgh(-), lm(-), lmh(-) nb(-), nbh(-), nch(-), ngh(-), nm(-), nmh(-) rb(-), rbh(-), rch(-), rg(-), rgh(-), rm(-), rmh(-) ml(-), mr(-), ms(-), mch(-) [ i-i ] [ i-i ] [ i-i ] [ i-i ] STRESSED I16 (-)i + ll, nn, m llC(-), nnC(-), mC(-) (-)bhC(-) VAR: [ i ] [ i ] [ i ]
When i, possibly with letters in front of it, is involved in a helping vowel appearing, this is most commonly [i-i]. Other letters may follow. Examples: gilb imleag timcheall [gilib] [imilag] [timiL] inbhe tilg inghear [iniv] [tilig] [inijr]
An i (possibly with letters in front of it) which is followed either by: ll, nn or m at the end of the word ll, nn or m which are immediately followed by a consonant and optionally more letters bh which is immediately followed by a consonant and optionally more letters In all cases the pronuciation will be long [i]. As explained in A06, E17 and I11, Im avoiding the bad modern habit of using a grave over the as the length is totally predictable. If you do use the grave in such cases, you must remember not to write it when there is a vowel following as this will render the i short. Examples: till fillte binn I17

STRESSED
[tiL] [fiLd] [biN] (-)i(o)(-) ELSEWHERE
im impidh sibhse

[im] [imb] [ iv] [i] STRESSED
When none of the previous rules about combinations with i apply, both i and io in a stressed syllable are going to be [i ] Examples: ciste thig dlighe [kid] [hig] [dli.] lios cille ime [Lis] [kiL] [im]

I18 -i- UNSTRESSED [] UNSTRESSED L01 (-)l(-) -ll(-) [L] [L] BROAD
A simple rule for i for a change. If you have i in an unstressed syllable, preceded and followed by other letters, the pronunciation will be []. Examples: litir fuirich airidh [Lihdr] [fur] [ar] aisig Miri neoini [ag] [mar] [Nn]
Broad l, irrespective of how many there are and in what place in the word it is will always be [L]. This includes positions where you might expect lenition. Examples: lag d luchag mala L02 * l[Lag] [da Luxag] [maL] balla call cl [baL] [kauL] [kaL] [l]
A slender l at the beginning of a word which has been lenited (meaning if it comes after a word that causes lenition or is in a spot where words are normally lenited such as past tense verbs) will be pronounced as a weak [l ]. Examples: mo leabaidh do line d lighiche L03 l[m leb] [d len] [da li.] d leac leum e lon e [da lxg] [lem ] [lin ] [ L ]
SLENDER SLENDER
A slender l at the beginning of a word which hasnt been lenited will be pronounced [L]. The only exception to this are the forms of le with which have weak [l ]. Examples: leabaidh line lighiche Akerbeltz - Goireasan Gidhlig air an lon 03/2011 [Leb] [Len] [Li.] leac leum! lon! [Lxg] [Lem] [Lin]

L04 -ll(-) [ L ] SLENDER M01 (-)mhC(-) [ ]
A double slender ll which is in the middle or at the end of a word will always be pronounced as a palatal [L]. Examples: gille tilleadh tuilleadh L05 -l(-) [giL] [tiL] [tL] cill till foill [kiL] [tiL] [fiL] [l]
A broad mh before a consonant will result in nasalisation on the preceding vowel. The mh itself is not pronounced anymore. The nasality as always can spread to other vowels too but that isnt obligatory. Examples: comhla comhradh samhradh [kL] [kr] [sr] cuimhne mhlachd comhdach [k n] [Lxg] [kdx] [ . ]
BROAD
A single slender l in the middle or at the end of a word will always be pronounced as a weak [l ]. Examples: gile uile baile [gil] [ul] [bal] cil anail toil [kal] [anal] [tl]
M02 (-) + u() o() () + mhV(-)
SLENDER
When you have mh in between vowels, it turns into hiatus if the vowel in front of the mh is one of those back vowels in the list above. Other letters may be in front and behind and the vowels near the mh usually have become nasal. Examples: cumhang cumhachd romham [k.g] [k.xg] [r.m] comhairle dmhail Cmhall [k.RL] [d.al] [k.L] [v]
BROAD
M03 (-)mh(-) ELSEWHERE
Elsewhere (when M01 and M02 dont apply) broad mh is going to be [v]. It is often accompanied by nasalisation but not always. Examples: mhol gl mhr amhach [vL] [gle vor] [avx] namhaich lmh ireamh [N v] [Lav] [arv]
BROAD

M04 (-)m(-) Examples: mol mr amar [mL] [mor] [amr] semar lom balgam [ mr] [Lum] [baLagm] [ vj ] M08 (-)mhC(-) SLENDER [ ] SLENDER Before another consonant (and possibly more letters), slender mh will be pronounced [ ] with nearby nasality. Examples: gaimhleag cuimhne doimhne M06 mh + ELSEWHERE [v] M09 (-)mh(-) ELSEWHERE [ j ] SLENDER SLENDER Elsewhere (between vowels or at the end of a word), slender mh will usually be pronounced [j ] with nearby nasality. Examples: coimhead roimhe troimhe [k jad] [r j] [tr j] coimheach climh uaimh [k jx] [kL j] [ j] [glag] [k N] [d n] limhsich nimhdean aimhreit [Lj ] [Ndn] [rad] [m] BROAD M07 (-) i() e() () + mh(-) [v] SLENDER
A broad m, no matter where in a word it appears, will always be [m].
When you have a slender mh after a front vowel the mh will be [v]. Other letters may follow or precede the whole group. Examples: simh simhich Cill Rmhinn [ v] [ v] [kiLrivN] gainmheach nimh nimheil [gnvx] [Nv] [Nval]
M05 mh + u() () o() () () a() au (-)
At the beginning of a word, slender mh will be pronounced [vj] if it is followed by a back vowel. Examples: mheall d mheir mheraich [vjauL] [da vjr] [vjr] mo mhig d mheann [m vjug] [da vjauN]
d mheamhran [da vjran]
When M05 doesnt apply, initial slender mh will just be [v] Examples: mhill mhnich mheal [viL] [vin] [vL] mhilich mheasgaich mheuraich [vl] [vesg] [viar]

M10 m + u() () o() () () a() au (-) [ mj ] SLENDER N01 * n[n]
At the beginning of a word, slender m will be pronounced [mj] if it is followed by a back vowel. Examples: meall meir meraich [mjauL] [mjr] [mjr] mig meann meamhran [mjug] [mjauN] [mjran] [ im ]
A broad n at the beginning of a word which has been lenited (meaning if it comes after a word that causes lenition or is in a spot where words are normally lenited such as past tense verbs) will be pronounced as a weak [n]. Examples: mo nbaidh mo nire do ns N02 n[m nab] [m nar] [d ns] d not gl nuadh do nuallan [da nhd] [gle nu] [d nuLan] [N]
BROAD
M11 (-) u() () o() () () a() u + m(-)
When you have a slender m after a back vowel (and possible more letters) then you get an extra vowel before the m: [im]. Examples: muime caime maoim [muim] [kaim] [mim] daoimean luime fuaim [diman] [lim] [fuim] [m]
SLENDER
Broad n at the beginning of a word is, barring a few exceptions, always going to be strong [N]. Examples: nbaidh nire ns [Nab] [Nar] [Ns] not nuadh nuallan [Nhd] [Nu] [NuLan]
BROAD
M12 (-)m(-) ELSEWHERE
When none of the other rules about slender m at the beginning, in the middle or at the end of a word apply, then it will simply be [m]. Examples: mnich measgaich ime [min] [mesg] [im] caismeachd im ainm [kamxg] [im] [nm]
SLENDER

N03 -nn(-) [N] N06 -n(-) [n]
When you have a double nn in the middle or at the end of a word it will always be a strong [N]. Before a consonant this often is nasalised away in spoken Gaelic (for example cunntas [kds] instead of [kNds] but thats not something you have to do to have a good accent. Examples: gunna cunntas annasach N04 -ng(-) [guN] [kNds] [aNsx] fann srann comann [fauN] [sdrauN] [komN] [ g ]
A single broad n in the middle or at the end of a word is going to be weak [n]. The main exception to this are all forms of the definite article an or words which contain the definite artilce an. BROAD B R O A D Examples: cana dnadh sona N07 * n[kan] [dun] [sn] can dn son [kan] [dun] [sn] [n]
BROAD
A broad ng in the middle or at the end of a word is usually going to be pronounced [g]. In a few cases the ng has been nasalised away. Examples: long rung teanga N05 -nt(-) [Lug] [Rug] [tg] cumhang eang Frangach [k.g] [g] [fragx]
A slender n at the beginning of a word which has been lenited (meaning if it comes after a word that causes lenition or is in a spot where words are normally lenited such as past tense verbs) will be pronounced as a weak [n]. Examples: mo nead d neasgaid do namh N08 n[m ned] [da nesgd] [d n v] d neul mo nighean d n [da niaL] [m ni.an] [da ni] [ N ]
SLENDER
[ Nd ] BROAD
A single broad n followed by a t in the middle or at the end of a word will strengthen to [Nd]. Examples: cantainn fantainn cumanta [kaNdN] [faNdN] [kumNd] bitheantas fileanta coileanta [bihNds] [filNd] [klNd]
A slender n at the beginning of a word which hasnt been lenited will be pronounced [N]. There are a few exceptions but not many. Examples: nead neasgaid namh [Ned] [Nesgd] [N v] neul nighean n [NiaL] [Ni.an] [Ni]
SLENDER

N09 -nn(-) [ N ] SLENDER N12 -n(-) [n]
A slender nn in the middle or at the end of a word will be palatal [N]. The main exceptions are the forms of innis [ ]. Examples: cinneadh bainne beinne N10 -ng(-) [kiN] [baN] [beN] beinn cinn tighinn [beiN] [kiN] [ti.N] [ g ]
When none of the other rules about single slender n in the middle or at the end of a word apply, then you just get weak [n]. Remember that some speakers have extended rule N10 to the long front vowels [i] [e] and []. Examples: line grine Sne [Len] [gren] [ in] sin fhin ln [ in] [hen] [Lin]
SLENDER
A slender ng will usually be pronounced as a palatal [g]. There are some cases where slender ng has nasalised away in the middle of a word, for example in aingeal [jL]. Examples: cuing farsaing tarraing [kig] [faRsg] [taRg] luinge Cingidh aingidh [lig] [kig] [aig] [ N ]
SLENDER
O01 (-)(i)(-)
VAR:
[ o ]
This rule deals with and i, optionally with letters both in front and after. In all cases, this will be round [o]. Note that in some modern spellings the has been replaced with throughout so you may want to check the spelling in an older dictionary. Examples: b [bo] [kog] [ko] lebag mr Dmhnall [Lobag] [mor] [d.L] cig c
STRESSED
N11 (-) u() () o() () () a() ia u + n(-)
When a single slender n (including a group that has n in it) follows a back vowel, you get a palatal [N]. Examples: cineadh ine faoin [kaN] [uN] [fN] coin uaine cirn [kN] [uN] [kuRN]
SLENDER

O02 (-)o + rd(-), rl(-), rn(-), rr VAR: [ ] O04 (-)oi + llV(-), nnV(-) [] STRESSED
When you get the letter o, possibly after some initial letters, in a stressed syllable and immediately followed by an rd, rl or rn (which may or may not be followed by other letters) or a double rr at the end of a word then you get a long []. Note that some people put a grave over the vowel to show the length but since the length can be fully predicted from the consonants nearby, thats not really necessary. Examples: corr torr drn O03 (-)(i)(-)

In a stressed syllable, possibly following some other initial letters, oi before ll and nn will be [] if there is a vowel immediately after. Other letters may follow. Examples: cloinne coinnich sgoinneil O05 (-)oi + [kLN] [kN] [sgNal] ll, nn, m llC(-), nnC(-), mC(-) bhC(-), dhC(-), ghC(-), mhC(-) coille soilleir broilleach [kL] [sLr] [brLx] [ i ] [ i ] [ i ] STRESSED
[kR] [tR] [dRN]
drnan rd drlach
[dRNan] [Rd] [dRLx] [ ] STRESSED
When you have or i, optionally with letters both in front and after, it will be pronounced []. Note that in some modern spellings O01 and O03 have been merged and are now ambiguous. Examples: g ran cisir [g] [ran] [kr] pg be ce [pg] [bj] [k]
This rule deals with oi (optionally with letters in front of it) which is followed either by: ll, nn or m without anything following them, that is, at the end of a word ll, nn or m which are immediately followed by a consonant and optionally more letters bh, dh, gh and mh which are immediately followed by a consonant and optionally more letters In all cases the pronunciation will be [i]. Examples: roinn foill oillt [RiN] [fiL] [iLd] toinnte doimhneachd oighreachd [tiNd] [d nxg] [irxg]
STRESSED

O06 (-)oi + mhV(-) [ ] STRESSED O08 (-)oi + lb(-), lbh(-), lch(-), lg(-), lgh(-), lm(-), lmh(-) nb(-), nbh(-), nch(-), ngh(-), nm(-), nmh(-) rb(-), rbh(-), rch(-), rg(-), rgh(-), rm(-), rmh(-) ml(-), mr(-), ms(-), mch(-) [ - ] [ - ] [ - ] [ - ] STRESSED
When an oi, possibly after some letters, in a stressed syllable is followed by mh and then by a vowel and possibly some more letters, you get a nasal [ ]. Examples: coimheach roimhe coimhead O07 (-)oi + [k jx] [r j] [k jad] coimhearsnach [k jRsnx] troimhe croimheal [tr j] [kr jL] [] []
When rule O07 applies to the oi group and oi is [], then, if a helping vowel appears, this will give you [-]. Other letters may be in front of the whole group and/or follow. Examples: doirbh [drv] [dljs] [krb] Foirbeis soirbheas stoirm [frb] [srvs] [sdrm] [] [] doilgheas coirb O09 (-)oi +
bh(-), d(-), dh(-), gh(-) HIATUS
This rule is as messy as it looks. The problem is that oi, which used to be [] across the board has been gradually developing into [] in Gaelic. However, the process is far from tidy, uniform or complete, especially with oi before r and l. So the above rule is broadly right but not universal. Its not a bad mistake to get this one wrong. Rule O04 is reliable by the way. Examples: goid oide oidhche [gd] [d] [ j] oighre oidheam soitheach [jr] [jm] [s.x]
c(-), ch(-), n(-), ng(-), p(-), rr(-), s(-), t(-) ELSEWHERE
STRESSED
In those cases when none of the previous rules about oi apply, it will usually have the default pronounciation of the letter o in Gaelic which is []. Please read the note in O07 about the messy state of affairs between [] and []. The first line of the rule is fairly consistent, so in those specific environments you very rarely get [] and can be confident its []. Anywhere else, youre best off consulting the Wordlist at the end or checking with a native speaker. The word coire exemplifies this problem: it occurs both as [kr] fault and [kr] kettle. Examples: fois croin poit [f ] [krN] [phd] oirre coire sgoil [R] [kr] [sgl]
STRESSED

O10 (-)o + ll, nn, m llC(-), nnC(-), mC(-) [ u ] [ u ] O12 (-)o + HIATUS [o]
This rule deals with o (optionally with letters in front of it) which is followed either by: ll, nn or m without anything following them, that is, at the end of a word ll, nn or m which are immediately followed by a consonant and optionally more letters In all cases the pronunciation will be [u]. Examples: toll conn lom [tuL] [kuN] [Lum] tolltach connlach lomte [tuLdx] [kuNLx] [Lumd] VAR: & [ o ]
When an o, possible after other letters, is followed by hiatus (meaning that there is a bh, dh, gh, fh, mh or th that is not pronounced anymore) then you usually get a round [o] instead of the open []. STRESSED Examples: bogha ogha todhar [bo.] [o.] [to.r] comharradh foghain gnothach [k.R] [fo.N] [gr.x] [o]
STRESSED
O13 (-)o + g(-), b(-) mV(-)
When o (not oi) comes before g or b (followed by more letters) or m followed by a vowel, then you usually get a round [o]. Examples: bog gob coma STRESSED [bog] [gob] [kom] tog tobar loma [tog] [tobr] [Lom]
STRESSED
O11 (-)o + dhC(-), ghC(-)
If, in a stressed syllable, o is followed by a dh or gh and the immediately another consonant, you get a long [o]. Other letters may be in front of the o and at the end of the word. Examples: foghnaidh roghnaich foghlam

[fon] [Ron] [foLm]
boghlanach deoghladair Cill Odhrain

[boLnx] [doLdr] [kiLorN]

O14 (-)o + lb(-), lbh(-), lch(-), lg(-), lgh(-), lm(-), lmh(-) nb(-), nbh(-), nch(-), ngh(-), nm(-), nmh(-) rb(-), rbh(-), rch(-), rg(-), rgh(-), rm(-), rmh(-) ml(-), mr(-), ms(-), mch(-) [ - ] [ - ] [ - ] [ - ] STRESSED O16 -o(-) []
When you have an o in an environment where a helping vowel appears, this will give you [-]. Other letters may be in front of the whole group and/or follow. Examples: borb dorcha mormhair [brb] [drx] [mrvr] colchag dorgh gorm [kLxag] [dr] [grm] []
The letter o in an unstressed position does not occur very often and if it does, it normally obeys the rules that say that unstressed vowels are boring, so you get []. The main exceptions to this rule are place names which end in -bol [bL] and -phort [fRd] and recent loanwords like seileafon [ elfn]. Examples: cothrom cudromach aotrom [krm] [kudrmx] [drm] eaconomaidh lthmhor almon [knm] [Luvr] [aLamn]
UNSTRESSED
O15 (-)o(-) ELSEWHERE
In all cases when none of the previous rules about o anywhere in the stressed syllable of a word apply, it will simply be []. Examples: sona bothan donna [sn] [bhan] [dN] fo bodach corrach [f] [bdx] [kRx]
STRESSED

P01 (-)ph(-) [f] P04 pAt the beginning of a word broad p will be pronounced [p]. BROAD Examples: ps pigh put P05 phl[ hb ] BROAD phrThe ph in a phl or phr group will always be just [f]. Examples: d phreas d phreachan phriob [da fres] [da frxan] [frib] d phriobaid d phrionnsa [da fribd] [da frNs] [ps] [paj] [puhd] paisg partan Pabaigh [pag] [paRdan] [pabaj] [ fl ] [ fr ] SLENDER BROAD [p]
A broad ph anywhere in a word is going to be [f]. Its most commonly found at the beginning of a word as a result of leniting p but can occur elsewhere too. Examples: phs phigh phut P02 (-)Vp(-) [fs] [faj] [fuhd] phaisg Euphort Sophort [fag] [iafRd] [ ifRd]
A broad p which comes after a vowel, possibly with other letters before and/or after will undergo pre-aspiration and come out as [hb]. Examples: apa cupa mapa P03 -Cp(-) [ahb] [kuhb] [mahb] praid ppa ceap [uhbrd] [pahb] [khb]
do phrionnsabal [d frNsbL] [ fj ] SLENDER
P06 ph + u() () o() () () a() au (-) [b] BROAD
When a broad p, following some other letters, comes directly after another consonant it will weaken to a [b]. Other letters may follow. Examples: sporan spadadh campa [sbran] [sbad] [kaumb] cuspair Scarp teampall [kusbr] [sgarb] [taumbL]
A lenited slender ph at the beginning of a word will be pronounced [fj] if there is a back vowel coming after it. Examples: mo phiuthar d phirna gl phiullagach [m fju.r] [da fjuRn] [gle fjuLagx] gl pheallagach [gle fjaLagx] phirr d phino [fjuR] [da fjan]

P07 (-)ph(-) ELSEWHERE Elsewhere slender ph will be pronounced [f]. Examples: gl phianail phill d phiseag P08 plprThe p in a pl or pr group will always be just [p]. Examples: preas preachan priob [pres] [prxan] [prib] priobaid prionnsa prionnsabal [pribd] [prNs] [prNsbL] [ pj ] SLENDER [gle fianal] [fiL] [da fiag] d pheur pheanasaich An iphit [da fiar] [fns] [ Nefd] [ pl ] [ pr ] SLENDER P11 -Cp(-) [b] SLENDER When a slender p, following some other letters, comes directly after another consonant it will weaken to a [b]. Other letters may follow. Examples: oidhirp cuirp scairp [.rb] [kurb] [sgarb] ceilp MacAilpein impis
[f] SLENDER
P10 (-)Vp(-)
[ hb ] SLENDER
A slender p which comes after a vowel, possibly with other letters before and/or after will undergo pre-aspiration and come out as [hb]. Examples: cipean cuip suaip [kihban] [kuihb] [suihb] drip Duipinn pipear [drihb] [duihbN] [phbr]
[kelb] [maxgalbN] [mb ]
P09 p + u() () o() () () a() au (-)
A slender p at the beginning of a word will be pronounced [pj] if there is a back vowel coming after it. Examples: piuthar pirna piullagach [pju.r] [pjuRn] [pjuLagx] peallagach piorr peann
P12 p ELSEWHERE
[p] SLENDER
Where none of the other rules about slender p apply, it will simply be [p]. Examples: pianail pill piseag [pianal] [piL] [piag] peur peanasaich peilear [piar] [pns] [pelr]
[pjaLagx] [pjuR] [pjauN]

R01 * r[r] R04 -rt(-) [ Rd ]
A broad r at the beginning of a word which has been lenited (meaning if it comes after a word that causes lenition or is in a spot where words are normally lenited such as past tense verbs) will be pronounced as a weak [r]. Examples: rannsaich rinig d rn R02 r[rauNs] [rang] [da rn] ruaig d rd d rs [rug] [da rud] [da rs]
A single broad r in the middle or at the end of a word followed immediately by a t will be pronounced as [Rd]. Other letters may follow. Examples: furtach drtadh cuartaich [fuRdx] [dRd] [kuRd] ceart neart murt [kaRd] [NaRd] [muRd] [R]
B R O A D BROAD
BROAD
R05 -r + d(-), n(-), l(-), s(-) [R] When rule R01 does not apply, broad r at the beginning of a word is going to be a strong [R]. The only exceptions to this rule are the words listed on page. Examples: rannsaich! ruigidh rn R03 -rr(-) [RauNs] [Rg] [Rn] ruaig! rd rs [Rug] [Rud] [Rs] [R]
When r comes before another dental (d, n, l and s) it will strengthen to [R]. The combination rt is covered in rule R04. Examples: rd brd brn [aRd] [baRd] [buRN] crn crsa drlach [kaRN] [kuRs] [dRLx] [r]
BROAD
R06 -r(-) ELSEWHERE
Double broad r in the middle or at the end of a word will be pronounced as strong [R]. Examples: curran Barraigh torrach [kuRan] [baRaj] [tRx] ciurr barr torr

Single broad r in the middle or at the end of a word will be pronounced [r] in all places when the previous rules about broad r do not apply. Examples: aran cramach ran [aran] [kurmx] [ran] cur mar cor [kur] [mar] [kr] BROAD
BROAD
[kuR] [baR] [tR]

R07 * r [r] R10 (-) u() () o() () () a() + rn(-) [ RN ] SLENDER
As there is no difference between initial broad and slender r, they both behave the same so a slender r at the beginning of a word which has been lenited (meaning if it comes after a word that causes lenition or is in a spot where words are normally lenited such as past tense verbs) will be pronounced as a weak [r]. Examples: d rionnag reic d ris R08 r[da ruNag] [reg] [da re ] rianaich do rgh reth [rian] [d ri] [r] [R]
When there is a back vowel before a slender rn group, the r will be a strong [R] and the n will also be strong [N]. Examples: cirn Girneag A Mhaoirne [kuRN] [gRNag] [ vRN] birn irneis birneach [buRN] [aRN] [baRNx] [R] SLENDER SLENDER
R11 -r + d(-), n(-), l(-), s(-)
Slender r before another dental (d, n, l and s) it will strengthen to [R]. Examples: bird ird irne [baRd] [aRd] [aRN] cirn tirse comhairle [kuRN] [tuR] [k.Rl] [ r ]
SLENDER
As there is no difference between initial broad and slender r, they both behave the same so when rule R07 does not apply, slender r at the beginning of a word is going to be a strong [R]. Examples: rionnag reic! ris R09 -rt(-) [RuNag] [Reg] [Re ] rianaich! rgh reth! [Rian] [Ri] [R] [ Rd ]
R12 -r(-) ELSEWHERE Elsewhere single slender r will be pronounced [r]. Examples: gire coire bireadh SLENDER [gar] [kr] [bur] cr cuir abair [kir] [kur] [abr]
SLENDER
A single slender r in the middle or at the end, followed immediately by a t will be pronounced as [Rd]. Other letters may follow. Examples: cairteal cuairtear pirteach [kaRdal] [kuRdr] [paRdx] abairt cairt freagairt [abRd] [kaRd] [fregRd]

S01 shlshr[L] [r] BROAD S04 snExamples: snmh snog snagan S05 sh[sNav] [sNog] [sNagan] snaoisean snotadh snuadh [sNan] [sNhd] [sNu] [h] BROAD [ sN ] BROAD
If you get broad sn at the beginning of a word, the n will be strong.
Lenited sl and sr will simply be [L] and [r]. Some speakers have more complicated things going on here but that isnt required across all dialects so you can do without as a learner without sounding odd. Examples: mo shrn d shrath shraon S02 shn[m rn] [da rah] [rn] do shlinte d shloc d shlat [d LaNd] [da Lxg] [da Lahd] [n]
When none of the previous rules about lenited sh at the beginning of a word apply, it will simply be pronounced [h]. Examples: ro shalach shsaich ro shoilleir S06 (-)st(-) BROAD [r haLx] [has] [r hLr] gl shona mo shilean d shaoghal [gle hn] [m huln] [da h.L] VAR: sd [ sd ]
If you get broad lenited shn at the beginning of a word, all you get is a weak [n]. Some speakers have more complicated things going on here but thats not necessary for a good accent for a learner. Examples: shnmh gl shnog d shnagan [nav] [gle nog] [da nagan] do shnaoisean gl shnotach do shnuadh [d nan] [gle nhdx] [d nu]
Broad st at the beginning, in the middle or at the end of a word is pronounced [sd]. The variant sd spelling is pronounced exactly the same. Examples: staran stth stuth [sdaran] [sda] [sduh] astar posta liosta [asdr] [psd] [Lisd] BROAD
BROAD
S03 s(t)rA broad st or str at the start of a word will always be [sdr]. Examples: srn srath sruth [sdrn] [sdrah] [sdruh] strc strap stropach [sdraxg] [sdrahb]
[ sdr ]
[sdrihbx]

S07 (-)s(-) ELSEWHERE [s] BROAD S10 shn[n] SLENDER
Broad s in all other positions (at the beginning, in the middle and at the end of words) is pronounced [s]. Examples: sr sil casan S08 shr[sar] [sul] [kasn] fosgailte cus fallas [fsgld] [kus] [faLs] [r]
When you have a lenited slender sn group at the start of a word, all that is left is weak [n]. Examples: shnomh shnigh [niv] [ni] d shnap mo shneachda d shneag [da nhb] [m nxg] [da neg] [ hj ]
gl shnigheach [gle ni.x]
S11 sh + u() () o() () () a() au
Lenited slender shr will simply be [r]. Some speakers have more complicated things going on here but thats not necessary for a good accent for a learner. Examples: d shrian shreap do shreothart S09 shl[da rian] [rhb] [d rhRd] d shreath gl shreamach gl shrianach [da rh] [gle rmx] [gle rianx]
A lenited slender sh which is followed by a back vowel will have a glide, so you get [hj]. Examples: d shicar shel bho Sheoc [da hjuxgr] [hjL] [v hjxg] d shemar d sheagh [da hjmr] [da hj] [h] mo sheann aois [m hjauN ]
SLENDER
SLENDER SLENDER
S12 sh- ELSEWHERE [l] When you have a lenited slender sl group at the start of a word, all that is left is weak [l]. Examples: shlob d shlighe mo shliochd [lib] [da li.] [m lixg] gl shleamhainn d shleagh mo shlibhtean [gle lvN] [da l] [m levdn]
If none of the previous rules about lenited slender sh apply, then you get [h]. Examples: mo shol shn d shiorram [m hiL] [hin] [da hiRm] gl shean mo sheud gl shearbh [gle hn] [m hed] [gle hrv]
SLENDER

S13 s(t)r[ sdr ] SLENDER S16 sl[ L ]
Because the broad/slender difference does not apply here, a slender st or str at the start of a word will also be [sdr]. Examples: srian sreap sreothart S14 sp + [sdrian] [sdrhb] [sdrhRd] strochd str streup [sdrixg] [sdri] [sdriahb] [ sbj ] [ smj ]
When you have a slender sl group at the start of a word, both letters will behave as if they were at the start of the word, so you get strong [L]. In some areas the s is broad but thats not necessary for a good accent for a learner. Examples: slob slighe sliochd S17 sn[ Lib] [ Li.] [ Lixg] sleamhainn sleagh slibhtean [ LvN] [ L] [ Levdn] [ N ]
SLENDER
u() () o() () () a() au (-)
sm + u() () o() () () a() au (-)
In a slender sm or sp group at the beginning of a word the s will be broad [s]. The m and p will be [bj] and [mj] if they are followed by a back vowel. Examples: smerach smir smeirn S15 sg[smjrx] [smjur] [smjRN] spiuthar spionnadh sperl [sbjuhr] [sbjuN] [sbjaRL] [ sg ]
When you have a slender sn group at the start of a word, both letters will behave as if they were at the start of the word, so you get strong [N]. In some areas the s is broad but thats not necessary for a good accent for a learner. Examples: snomh snigh snigheach [ Niv] [ Ni] [ Ni.x] snap sneachda sneag [ Nhb] [ Nxg] [ Neg] []
SLENDER SLENDER
SLENDER
In a slender sg group at the beginning of a word the s will be broad [s] and only the g will be palatal [g]. Examples: sgian sgth sgeulachd [sgian] [sgi] [sgiaLxg] sgeir sgeadaich sgioba [sger] [sged] [sgib]
S18 (-)s(-) ELSEWHERE
When none of the other rules about slender s apply, the it will be pronounced [ ] at the beginning, in the middle and at the end of a word. Examples: seachdain siil ciste [xgN] [ul] [kid] maise ceist cs [ma] [ked] [ki ]
SLENDER

T01 t-slt-srt-sn[ tL ] [ tr ] [ tr ] T03 (-)thC(-)
The definite article an t- cause lenition. In spite of the spelling, this also applies to sl, sn and sr groups. In the case of t-sl and t-sr this simply lenites away the s, resulting in [tL] and [tr] (as if they were written t-shl or t-shr). In the case of t-sn, leniting the s away results in t + n, which in Gaelic results in [tr ]. Examples: air an t-slat san t-sloc air an t-srid T02 tn[r N tLahd] [sN tLxg] [r N trad] san t-srn air an t-snaois air an t-snathainn [sN trn] [r N tr ] [r N trhN] [ tr ]
A broad th anywhere that is immediately followed by another consonant is silent. Some speakers do more complicated things to thC- at the start of a word but that doesn't happen everywhere so you dont have to worry about doing it yourself. Examples: do thlachd mthraichean cothrom T04 V th + V[d Laxg] [marn] [krm] dthchasach sruthlach lths [duxsx] [sdruLx] [Lus] [. ] [ ] A broad th in results in hiatus if the first vowel is long (it does not apply to diphthongs) if there is another vowel coming after. At the end, it is silent. Examples: BROAD btha lthair blthaich [bu.] [La.r] [bLa.] gaothach gaoth bth [g.x] [g] [bu] BROAD
BROAD BROAD
this is similar to groups like cn so at the beginning of a word the n will turn into [r] with nasalisation on nearby vowels. Words with tnare very rare in Gaelic, except in the an t-sn- combination. Examples: tnth thnthail tnthaire [tr] [tr.al] [tr.r] tnachair tnthmhor tnthach [trxr] [trvr] [tr.x]

T05 (-)th(-) ELSEWHERE [h] T08 t[t] BROAD
When none of the previous rules about broad th apply, then is is usually [h]. If it occurs between vowels it can also sometimes be hiatus but since its hard to predict, Id advise you to check with a native speaker, the wordlist or a dictionary. Examples: thinig athair sgiathan T06 (-)Vt(-) [hang] [ahr] [sgihn] cruth tuath latha [kruh] [tuh] [La.] [ hd ]
When none of the previous rules apply, a broad t at the start of a word will be pronounced [t]. Examples: taigh tarraing tog T09 t-slt-srt-snBROAD [tj] [taRg] [tog] tn turas tr [tn] [turs] [tur] [ tl ] [ tr ] [ tr ] BROAD
A broad t which comes after a vowel, possibly with other letters before and/or after will undergo pre-aspiration and come out as [hd]. Examples: put cat cutadh T07 -Ct(-) [puhd] [kahd] [kuhd] btainn atach cta [bhdN] [ahdx] [khd] [d]
The definite article an t- has leniting force. In spite of the spelling, this also applies to sl, sn and sr groups. In the case of t-sl and t-sr this simply lenites away the s, resulting in [tl] and [tr] (as if they were written t-shl or t-shr). In the case of t-sn, leniting the s away results in t + n, which in Gaelic results in [tr ]. Examples: air an t-sliabh air an t-sleagh air an t-srian [r N tliav] [r N tl] [r N trian] air an t-sreath air an t-sneachda air an t-snighe [r N trh] [r N trxg] [r N tr.]
SLENDER
When a broad t in the middle or at the end of a word is immediately preceded by another consonant, you get a [d]. Examples: allt cunnt sagart [auLd] [kNd] [sagRd] calltainn gealltanas taghta [kauLdN] [gauLdns] [td]
BROAD

T10 thlthr[l] [r] SLENDER T13 (-) i e + th [ ] SLENDER
A lenited slender thl and thr group will result in weak [l] and [r]. Some speakers do more complicated things here but that doesn't happen everywhere so you don't have to worry about doing it yourself. Examples: do thligheachd do thliochdan d threabhaiche T11 [d li.xg] [d lixgan] [da r.] bho thr d threir d threud [v ri] [da rr] [da red] [ hj ]
At the end of a word after the above long front vowels, slender th will be silent. Examples: dth sgth sth T14 [di] [sgi] [i] lith sgith fith [Le] [sge] [f] [j]
(-) u() () o() () () a u + thV-
th + u() () o() () () a au -
Between two vowels slender th, possibly followed by more letters, frequently turns into a [j] glide if the first vowel is one of the above back vowels. Examples: lithean luaithe rithe T15 [Lajn] [Luj] [Raj] (-)th(-) ELSEWHERE gaoithe dlitheachd saoitheil [gj] [dLujxg] [sjal] [h] SLENDER
SLENDER
At the beginning of a word a slender th will be pronounced [hj] if one of the above back vowels is immediately following. Other letters will follow. Examples: gl thema ga thedhadh A Thearlaich! T12 -thC(-) [gle hjm] [g hj.] [ hjaRL] thearn d thiurr gl theann [hjaRn] [da hjuR] [gle hjauN] [ ]
A slender th in the middle or at the end of a word that is immediately followed by another consonant is silent. Examples: creithleag ithne [krelag] [aN] cruithneachd aithreachas liths [krNxg] [arxs] [Lu ]
When none of the previous rules apply, slender th is usually [h]. If it occurs between vowels it can also sometimes be hiatus but since that is hard to predict, Id advise you to check with a native speaker, the wordlist or a dictionary. Examples: thig theasaich gl thiamhaidh [hig] [hes] [gle hv] frithealadh bitheanta dithis [frihL] [bihNd] [di. ] SLENDER
SLENDER
breithneachadh [brenx]

T16 tltr[ tl ] [ tr ] SLENDER T19 t[ t ]
Slender tl and tr will result in [tl] and [tr] because the broad/slender difference doesn't apply in these groups. Examples: tligheachd tliochdan treabhaiche T17 -Ct(-) [tli.xg] [tlixgan] [tr.] tr treir treud [tri] [trr] [tred] [ d ]
Slender t at the beginning of a word will result in palatal [t]. Note that in some spelling systems some of the irregular verb spellings are an exception to this rule. Examples: teas teagamh tiamhaidh [tes] [tegv] [tv] tearn tema tiurr [taRn] [tm] [tuR]
SLENDER
When you have a consonant immediately before a slender t then you get [d]. There will always be letters in front and possibly some after. Examples: leinteach minteach Asainte T18 (-)Vt(-) [LNdx] [mNdx] [asNd] slinte susbaint smuaint [sLaNd] [susbNd] [smuNd] [ hd ]
SLENDER SLENDER
When you have a vowel directly in front of a slender t then you get pre-aspiration. Other letters may be in front and after the group. Examples: oiteag aiteamh croit [hdag] [ahdv] [krhd] poit moiteil tuiteam [phd] [mhdal] [tuhdm]

U01 (-)ua(i)(-) [ u ] STRESSED U04 (-)u + lb(-), lbh(-), lch(-), lg(-), lgh(-), lm(-), lmh(-) nb(-), nbh(-), nch(-), ngh(-), nm(-), nmh(-) rb(-), rbh(-), rch(-), rg(-), rgh(-), rm(-), rmh(-) ml(-), mr(-), ms(-), mch(-) [ u-u ] [ u-u ] [ u-u ] [ u-u ] STRESSED
In a stressed syllable, possibly following some other initial letters, ua and uai will be pronounced [u]. Other letters may follow. Examples: bhuam cuan gluasad [vum] [kun] [gLusd] uaine bruaich buail [uN] [bru] [bul] [ u ]
When you have an u in an environment where a helping vowel appears, this will give you [u-u]. Other letters may be in front of the whole group and/or follow. Examples: ulbhag cunbhalach urchair [uLuvag] [kunuvLx] [uruxr] lurgann furm mulghart [LurugN] [furum] [muLuRd] [u]
U02 (-)u(i) + rd(-), rl(-), rn(-), rrC(-), rr
When u or ui is followed by an rd, rl, rn and rr plus a consonant anywhere or by rr at the end of a word then you get a long [u]. Once again, Im following the traditional convention of not writing the grave before rr as it leads to misleading spellings (cf A06, E17, I11). Examples: brn crlach sgurr U03 (-)(i)(-)
STRESSED
U05 (-)u + llV(-), nnV(-), rrV(-), mV(-)
[buRn] [kuRLx] [sguR]
bird ird tirling
[buRd] [uRd] [tuRlg] [ u ]
In a stressed syllable, possibly following some other initial letters, ui before ll, nn and m will be [] if there is a vowel immediately after. Other letters may follow. Note that there is a certaint amount of variation in the way native speakers deal with this group. Some have retained the older [u] pronunciation, so [u] is acceptable in many places too. Examples: ullamh mullach gunna [uLv] [muLx] [guN] grunnach cumail cumanta [gruNx] [kumal] [kumNd]
STRESSED
In a stressed syllable, possibly following some other initial letters, and i will be pronounced [u]. Other letters may follow. Examples: dn gln claibh [dun] [gLun] [kuLv] din cil silean [duN] [kul] [suln]
STRESSED

U06 (-)u + ll, nn, m llC(-), nnC(-), mC(-) [ u ] [ u ] U08 (-)ui + llV(-), nnV(-), mV(-) []
This rule deals with u (optionally with letters in front of it) which is followed either by: ll, nn or m without anything following them, that is, at the end of a word ll, nn or m which are immediately followed by a consonant and optionally more letters In all cases the pronuciation will be [u]. Once again, since this lengthening is fully predicatble, Im not using the grave on these in line with the traditional system (cf A06, E17, I11, U02). Examples: a-null grunn cunnt

In a stressed syllable, possibly following some other initial letters, ui before ll, nn and m will be [] if there is a vowel immediately after. Other letters may follow. Note that there is a certaint amount of variation in the way native speakers deal with this group. Some have retained the older [u] pronunciation, so [u] is acceptable in many places too. Examples: tuilleadh duilleag cluinneadh [tL] [dLag] [kLN] cuinneag luime muime [kNag] [Lim] [mim] [ i ] [ i ]
STRESSED
STRESSED
[NL] [grN] [kNd]
sunnt cum diumbach

[sNd] [km] [dmbx] [ u ]
U09 (-)ui + ll, nn, m llC(-), nnC(-), mC(-)
U07 (-)u + dhC(-), ghC(-)
In a stressed syllable, initially and following other initial letters you get a long [u] if there is a dh or gh coming after which itself is immediately followed by another consonant. Other letters my follow but have no further effect. Examples: lughdaich Dughlas ughdar

This rule deals with ui (optionally with letters in front of it) which is followed either by: ll, nn or m without anything following them, that is, at the end of a word ll, nn or m which are immediately followed by a consonant and optionally more letters In all cases the pronuciation will be [i]. Examples: tuill uillt cluinn [tiL] [iLd] [kL N] cluinntinn suim Luimneach [kL NdN] [sim] [Limnx]
STRESSED
STRESSED
[Lud] [duLs] [udr]
rudhraich Lughdan Fughlaigh

[Rur] [Ludan] [fuLaj]

U10 uid, n, t, l, s + ui[] [] U12 (-)ui + lb(-), lbh(-), lch(-), lg(-), lgh(-), lm(-), lmh(-) nb(-), nbh(-), nch(-), ngh(-), nm(-), nmh(-) rb(-), rbh(-), rch(-), rg(-), rgh(-), rm(-), rmh(-) ml(-), mr(-), ms(-), mch(-) STRESSED [ - ] [ - ] [ - ] [ - ] STRESSED
This rule and the next deal with what is perhaps the messiest aspect of the Gaelic spelling system. The previous rules are reliable but U10 and U11 are only broadly indicative. Different speakers and dialects differ considerably from each other. So in the remaining cases of ui you will more often than not get [] if: the ui is at the beginning of a word if it follows a dental (d, n, t, l and s) Examples: uiseag uisge tuiseal U11 -ui- l -ui- ELSEWHERE [ag] [g] [tL] duine duilleag suipear [dN] [dLag] [sihbr] [u] [u]
When you have an ui in an environment where a helping vowel appears, this will give you [-]. Other letters may be in front of the whole group and/or follow. Should you have a case of ui being pronounced [u], then it behaves like rule U03 and you get [u-u]. Examples: duilgheas duirgh luirg [dljs] [drj] [Lrrg] duirche guirme suirghe [dr] [grm] [srj] [ u-u ] [ u-u ] [ u-u ] [ u-u ]
U13 (-)ui + lb(-), lbh(-), lch(-), lg(-), lgh(-), lm(-), lmh(-) nb(-), nbh(-), nch(-), ngh(-), nm(-), nmh(-) rb(-), rbh(-), rch(-), rg(-), rgh(-), rm(-), rmh(-) STRESSED ml(-), mr(-), ms(-), mch(-)
Please also read the note under U10 about the problems with the remaining cases of ui. In the middle of a word, it will usually be [u] before a single l and more often than not in all other cases. Examples: buileach cuilean cuileag [bulx] [kulan] [kulag] buidhe bruis puist [buj] [bru ] [pud]
STRESSED
When you have an u in an environment where a helping vowel appears, this will give you [u-u]. Other letters may be in front of the whole group and/or follow. Examples: cuilg fuirmean cuirm [kulug] [furumn] [kurum] buirbe cuimsich muinghinn [burub] [kumu] [munujN]

U14 (-)u- ELSEWHERE [u] STRESSED
In a stressed syllable, both initially and following other initial letters and always followed by other letters, u will be pronounced [u] everywhere else. Examples: urram ugh urchair U15 -u(-) [uRm] [u] [uruxr] cus buntainn thuca [kus] [bundN] [huxg] []
The letter u in an unstressed position does not occur very often anymore in recent publications and if it does, it normally obeys the rules that say that unstressed vowels are boring, so you get []. Examples: agus bu Calum [ags] [b] [kaLm] MacCodrum ud Sglamus [maxkdrm] [d] [sguLms]
UNSTRESSED

Guide To The Pronunciation of Modern Scots Gaelic Detailed With Examples

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The Guide to Reading Gaelic

A02 (-)aoi + b(-), bh(-), dh(-), m(-), mh(-), gh(-), dh(-)

A05 (-)a + ll, nn, m llC(-), nnC(-), mC(-)

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The Guide to Reading Gaelic

[baR] [sbaR] [faR]

[aRd] [kaRN] [aRd] [] STRESSED

A09 (-)a + dhC(-), ghC(-)

A07 (-)ai + [h] [x] []

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The Guide to Reading Gaelic

A13 (-)a(i)(-) ELSEWHERE

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The Guide to Reading Gaelic

A18 -aich(-) UNSTRESSED UNSTRESSED -aidh

A19 -ai(-) + PALATAL ([d] [g] [L] [N] [r] [])

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The Guide to Reading Gaelic

B02 (-)VV / V + bhV(-)

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The Guide to Reading Gaelic

B07 (-) + u() () o() () () a() u + bh

B05 (-)bh(-) ELSEWHERE

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The Guide to Reading Gaelic

B10 u() () o() () () a() au + bh

B13 (-)bh(-) ELSEWHERE S L E N D E R

B11 bh + u() () o() () () a() au (-)

B14 b + u() () o() () () a() au (-)

[f vjauNdn] [da vjug] [vjaR]

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The Guide to Reading Gaelic

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The Guide to Reading Gaelic

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The Guide to Reading Gaelic

If broad c is at the beginning of words elsewhere, it will simply be [k].

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The Guide to Reading Gaelic

C16 (-)ch(-) ELSEWHERE SLENDER

buaichd (buaic) [bug]

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The Guide to Reading Gaelic

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The Guide to Reading Gaelic

D06 (-) u() () o() () () a() u + dh(V)

d dhleastanas [da lesdns]

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The Guide to Reading Gaelic

E02 (-)a- ELSEWHERE

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The Guide to Reading Gaelic

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The Guide to Reading Gaelic

E10 (-)eu- ELSEWHERE

E12 (-)ei + ll, nn, m llC(-), nnC(-), mC(-)

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The Guide to Reading Gaelic

E14 ea + [L], [R]

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E16 (-)ea + bh bhV(-)

The Guide to Reading Gaelic

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