Quick question regarding the pronunciation of tabhair.

I've now heard the first syllable pronounced as "ah" (as in father) and as "oh" (as in boat).

Is this just another regional thing or is one simply incorrect? (The speaker I'm listening to is not a native so may be incorrect, I can't know.) Thanks.

Tabhair is pronounced "TOO-ir" by native speakers in Munster.

(the first syllable sounds like the English word "too")

There are three "standard" pronunciations of tabhair in Foclóir Póca:

/tu:r'/ "too" as wee_falorie_man says;
/taur'/ diphthong with first syllable "a" as in father; and
/to:r'/ "o" like in "oar".

All are "correct", just a matter of regional preference. /to:r'/ is listed in Learning Irish as the pronunciation for Cois Fhairrge/Connemara.

For Cois Fhairrge, Ó Siadhail gives /'to:r'/ (i.e. ['t̪ˠo̟ːɾʲ]).

quote:

the first syllable pronounced

A little addendum:
tabhair is monosyllabic in all dialects, AFAIK.

Lars

Yes, Lars, you're right. One syllable.

My explanation should also have read "/taur'/ diphthong with first vowel 'a' as in father".

(Message edited by breandán on February 15, 2009)