Àirigh – Notes on Lesson 1 - part 3

Finally, we found out that Western Isles ladies are very forward (sweeping generalisation and obviously not true.. though it does tie in with my experience of Western Isles student nurses whilst working in a certain Irish bar in Aberdeen!). The following is a conversation in full which we practiced in class and translated for “homework” in our own time:

Màiri

Halò. Is mise Màiri, cò thusa? (Hello, I am Mairi, who are you?)

Pàdruig

Is mise Pàdruig. (I am Patrick.)

Ciamar a tha thu? (How are you?)

Màiri

Tha mi gu math, tapadh leat. (I am well, thank you.)

Ciamar a tha thu fhèin? (How are you, yourself?)

Pàdruig

Tha mi sgìth. (I am tired.)

A bheil thusa sgìth? (Are you tired?)

Màiri

Chan eil. (I’m not.)

Cò às a tha thu? (Where are you from?)

Pàdruig

Tha mi as Na Stàitean. (I’m from The States (United of America fame).)

Cò às a tha thu fhèin? (Where are you from, yourself?)

Màiri

Tha mi à Alba. (I am from Scotland.)

A bheil thu pòsda? (Are you married?)

Pàdruig

Chan eil. (I’m not.)

A bheil thusa pòsda? (Are YOU married?)

Màiri

Chan eil. (I’m not.)

Hey you, what’s your name? where are you from? oh, you’re tired, I see, ARE YOU MARRIED?