Hello, all:
I've been searching around on various websites to find Irish endearments, and mostly I've found the same 5 or 6 used over and over again. I'm specifically looking for ones that might mean "my hero/champion/prince" sort of thing. I'm also looking for nicknames for a man named James. I've recently started a new relationship, and as obsessed as I am with Ireland, I'm trying to find him a nickname just for me to use that has special meaning. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks!

~Anja

Mo laoch
Mo churadh


James is Séamus or Séamas - just add "ín" for teh diminutive.

Maybe it would be better to put them in the vocative case, a Aonghuis:

a laoich/laoigh
a churaidh

The diminutive is -ín and make the last consonant slender, so you’ll get Séamaisín.

Is fíor sin uilig.

Or say "Is tú mo laoch/churadh" - you are my hero

"A laoch" translates to English as "O, Hero" when addressing someone.

Anja, the lyrics of this song might give you some ideas

Mo Ghile Mear

http://ingeb.org/songs/moghilem.html

You can read and hear Mo Ghile Mear, words and music at www.irishpage.com

Scríobh Lughaidh:

quote:

a laoich/laoigh
a churaidh

Níl mé sásta leo seo. Deirtear "a rún, a stór", mar shampla, ní "a rúin, a stóir". So, as brách liom chuig na Bráithre. Deir siad (§ 130):

"Ní gnách, áfach, infhilleadh sa ghairmeach uatha (a) ar chnuasainm: - a phobal; (b) má tá brí mheafarach nó brí ceana i gceist:- a cheann cipín; a rún; a stór; (c) má tá ginideach cinnte faoi réir aige:- a mhac Iósaif; a scáthán an chirt. Ach - a Mhic Dé."

So: "a laoch", mar a scríobh Aonghus.

I'm not clear as to what the question is here. Is it concerning the genitive vs nominative after the vocative particle? If so, the use appears arbitrary: ie, a mhac Iósaif vs a Mhic Dé.

BTW, referring to a loved one as "mo laoch" seems more intimate that "a laoch," don't you think? At least it does in English. A hero is usually a community treasure as opposed to my hero which is more personal On the other hand, calling someone my Caesar? Brings to mind Caligula, Claudius, and Nero.

You don't inflect nouns -- nouns that otherwise could be inflected -- in the vocative (b) if they have a metaphorical or affectionate sense. So, "a laoch".

quote:

BTW, referring to a loved one as "mo laoch" seems more intimate that "a laoch," don't you think?

No. Don't think in English! ;-)

>Níl mé sásta leo seo. Deirtear "a rún, a stór", mar >shampla, ní "a rúin, a stóir". So, as brách liom chuig >na Bráithre. Deir siad (§ 130):

>"Ní gnách, áfach, infhilleadh sa ghairmeach uatha (a) >ar chnuasainm: - a phobal; (b) má tá brí mheafarach nó >brí ceana i gceist:- a cheann cipín; a rún; a stór;

an gciallann sin go n-abróchá "a laoigh" le laoch agus "a laoch" nuair a labhrann tú fá dhuine a bhfuil grá agat dó? Tá sin aistíoch go leor. Ní focal gnách é fá choinne "endearment". Is féidir nach dtéid an riail i bhfeidhm i gcás speisialta mar sin. B’aistíoch liom "a laoch", agus "a churadh" a ráidht. Is dóigh liom go ndéanfaí riail de shampla "a rún" agus "a stór", nuair nach rabh iontu ach eisceachtaí ar tús. Níl mé cinnte gur féidir an riail sin a chur le achan fhocal nuaidh ceana a chumtar...

quote:

a laoich/laoigh

Thug mé faoi deara, ag breathnú orthu arís, go bhfuil débhríocht shuimiúil ag baint le a laoigh. Deirim a laoigh agus a lao sa dóigh chéanna, leis an nguta /i:/. "O hero" nó "O calf"? Is ionann "a lao!" agus "my darling!" ar ndóigh.

Bhíos ag smaoineamh ar seo, agus ritheann sé liom go ndéarfá "My Hero" mar "a laoich liom"

Ach fós ceapaim go mbeadh "'s tú mo laoch" níos nadúrtha.

(Message edited by aonghus on October 13, 2005)

Why not 'Hamish' - that comes from the Gaelic "Tar anseo A Shéamais"
Come 'ere Séamus!

Translation help, please.

It is my son's first birthday soon and I would like to say on the invitations to his party "My first birthday" in Irish.
Thanks for your help.
Josie

mo chéad lá breithe

Pádraig,
Go raibh maith agat! Much appreciated.
Josie