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Help[Facts] Re: Dubh
in reply to a message by Satu
My knowledge of Gaelic is hazy too, but it looks as if the bh cluster used to make a sound and then the sounds of the language changed after it took its written form, so the old spelling was retained - same as the gh cluster in through and thorough in English.
As for the sound, that h seems to signal breath, so it would have made the b into a fricative. Same idea as the mh cluster, which still makes a v sound; presumably not a v, therefore, as there wouldn't be much point in having two ways of writing the same consonant. (When I try to make a labial fricative I close the door! Not very ladylike, I fear, though no doubt respectable in ancient Ireland.)
As for the sound, that h seems to signal breath, so it would have made the b into a fricative. Same idea as the mh cluster, which still makes a v sound; presumably not a v, therefore, as there wouldn't be much point in having two ways of writing the same consonant. (When I try to make a labial fricative I close the door! Not very ladylike, I fear, though no doubt respectable in ancient Ireland.)
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Replies
If I recall my Irish classes (and, in a convoluted way, ScotsGael) the presence of the "h" after a consonant in a word signals that the aforementioned consonant is "slenderized". The Gaelic pronunciations in Northern Ireland are much closer to those of the Scottich Highlands (I think), but it has been about three years since I've taken a formal class in Irish. I could ask my former Gaelic instructor if he could shed some light on this, if you wish.
Phyllis (aka Sidhe Uaine or Gia Euphoria)
Phyllis (aka Sidhe Uaine or Gia Euphoria)
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