Duilleag a Sia (6)
In this section you will hear how to:

• ask someone you do not know how they are;
• thank someone you do not know;
• use people's surnames.


Read Còmhradh a Sia

Còmhradh a Sia

James: A Thòmais, seo Alasdair MacAsgaill agus Catrìona NicLeòid.
Thomas: O hallo. Is mise Tòmas MacLeòid. Ciamar a tha sibh, a Chatrìona?
Catherine: Tha gu math, tapadh leibh.
Thomas: Agus sibh fhèin, Alasdair?
Alistair: Chan eil dona, tapadh leibh. Ciamar a tha sibh fhèin?
Thomas: Chan eil dona.


Obair (Work)
Jot down your answers to these questions. Tha na Freagairtean air Duilleag a Dhà-Dheug.

1. How would you thank someone you don't know?

2. What phrase would you use to ask a stranger how s/he is?

3. If someone asks how you are, how might you ask them in return?

Mìneachadh
In Còmhradh a Sia Thomas said to Catherine, "Ciamar a tha sibh?" instead of "Ciamar a tha thu?" because he did not know her, and was being polite. When thanking him for asking, Catherine said "Tapadh leibh" and not "Tapadh leat" for the same reason.

In English Catherine and Thomas would both have the same surname, MacLeod, but their surnames in Gaelic are slightly different. Thomas is "Tòmas MacLeòid" and Catherine is "Catrìona NicLeòid". This is because "mac" means "son", and "nic" is a shortened form of "daughter". Differences between female and male surnames are common in many languages.


Duilleag a Sia A (6A)
Obair (a-rithist) (Work again)
Tha na Freagairtean air Duilleag a Dhà-Dheug.

4. Re-write Còmhradh a Sia switching between formal and informal, imagining that Thomas is older than the others.

James:...
Thomas:...
Catherine:...
Thomas:...
Alistair:...
Thomas:...

5. Re-write Còmhradh a Sia switching between formal and informal, imagining that Thomas is younger than the others.

James:...
Thomas:...
Catherine:...
Thomas:...
Alistair:...
Thomas:...


6. Some of the names on the following list might appear slightly odd. Can you pick those out and re-write them correctly?

Tòmas MacLeòid ...
Màiri MacEachainn ...
Murchadh NicRath ...
Catrìona NicLeòid ...
Seòras NicAlasdair ...
Eachann MacAsgaill ...


7. The following men all have surnames similar to their first names, like Donald MacDonald. You have received a list and have to make up name-plates for a meeting. Fill in the missing surnames. The first one has been done for you.

a. Dòmhnall MacDhòmhnaill

Duilleag a Sia B (6B)

Obair (a-rithist)
b. Tòmas ...
c. Alasdair ...
d. Donnchadh ...
e. Iain ...
f. Seumas ...
g. Eachann ...

All information on these pages supplied by Maitland Kelly, student at
Sabhal Mòr Ostaig
Sleat Isle of Skye
IV44 8RQ

Tel: 01471 888 449
Fax: 01471 888 002
Please contact Sabhal Mòr Ostaig (click on link above) for further information on Gaelic courses.