Addressing someone in Irish - the Vocative Case

Listen to this cartoon in Irish, and read on for a little more info about the 'vocative case' in Irish.

Gearrchaile | Young girl

You probably already know that cailín is the Irish for 'girl' but here are a few more phrases that can be used. In this cartoon 'gearrchaile' is used in the way one might say 'young lady' or 'young lass' in English...to admonish a young girl.

Gearrchaile

Girseach

Notice that in the example above the 'parent ghost' says 'a ghearrchaile' and not just 'gearrchaile' when addresing the wayward 'ghost daughter'!

An Tuiseal Gairmeach | The Vocative Case

The 'vocative case' is used when addressing someone in Irish. In practice this means that a person's name (or title) often changes a little when addressing them.

The first thing to notice is that in Irish  'a' will be used before the person's name when addressing them..

The name will be lenited, if possible (i.e. add a 'h' in writing) and masculine names are slenderised at the end if possible. (insert a slender vowel, i/e, before the final consonant).

That's a lot going on, I know!

The best way to see this in practice is to look at a few examples.

Ainmneacha Ban | Women's Names

Have a look at the following examples. The 'basic' form of the name is on the left in blue; and the vocative form on the right in orange.

You'll notice that where the name begins with a vowel the vocative form of the name is the same as the 'basic' or nominative form, (although the 'a' still come before the name).

Síle | Dia duit, a Shíle

Sinéad | Slán leat, a Shinéad

Úna | Tar anseo, a Úna

Máire | Go raibh maith agat, a Mháire

Ainmneacha Fear | Men's Names

Have a look at the following examples. The 'basic' form of the name is on the left in blue; and the vocative form on the right in orange.

Notice that there is an extra change with men's names - the ending of the name will be slenderised, if possible (insert an 'i' before the final consonant).

Again, if the name begins with a vowel the vocative form will be the same as the nominative form of the name.

Pól | Dia duit, a Phóil

Gearóid | Fáilte romhat, a Ghearóid

Seán | Go raibh maith agat, a Sheáin

Oisín | Slán leat, a Oisín

Teidil | Titles

It's not just people's names that have a special form / a vocative form.

When addressing anyone the vocative form must be used.

You will have noticed no doubt that letters and emails will use the vocative form .

'cara' is the Irish for 'friend' and this is used to address someone in a letter or email. The vocative form must be used: 'a' before the word, and lenite:

A chara 

Similarly if you happen to bump into the President make sure to use the vocative case:

As 'Uachtarán' is a masculine noun in Irish the ending of the word will be slenderised. (even if the President is actually a woman)

Uachtarán | Dia duit, a Uachtaráin