Hi

Can anyone please explain, in very simple terms, when, why and how to use Lenition and Eclipsis?

Thank you

Carol

You can read these grammar pages for some of the patterns.

http://www.nualeargais.ie/gnag/lenition.htm
http://www.nualeargais.ie/gnag/eklipse.htm
http://www.nualeargais.ie/gnag/thnd.htm
http://www.nualeargais.ie/gnag/sindos.htm

Lenition and eclipsis are changes to the beginning of words that are caused by (now invisible) endings of particles and other grammatical entities. Whereas French always writes endings but only pronounces them in certain contexts, for the most part modern Irish only writes the sounds when they are pronounced. Modern Irish also retains the dictionary form of the word, writing an extra consonant alongside the original one.

Each preposition and particle has its own rules for when to lenite and when to eclipse. Most (but not all) prepositions lenite a following noun, but eclipsis occurs instead if the definite article "an" intervenes (again with most but not all prepositions. Most prefixes cause lenition.

In short, although there are broad overlying rules, you really need to remember which changes a particular word causes.

GRMA

Still confusing. I hope that it will become clearer as I learn.

Carol

In my experience, trying to learn all the rules at once will drive you mental. Better to pick them up gradually as you learn new constructions and rely on compilations like the one Seánw linked to only when you get confused (for instance about why it's "ar chloch" but "ar crochadh").

I agree, Domhnaillín. I have found that if you put them into use in the process of the learning of the language, you memorize them gradually, gain better understanding, and learn the language quicker. There is too much in any language to just learn by rote, and don't necessarily follow a lgoic that makes sense at first blush. It is good to have a reference sheet/book available to check yourself every once in a while to make sure you're not learning the wrong thing!