balbh

Irish

Etymology

From Old Irish balb, from Latin balbus.[1]

Pronunciation
  • (Munster) IPA(key): /ˈbˠɑl̪ˠəvˠ/[2]
  • (Aran) IPA(key): /ˈbˠɑləvˠ/
  • (Connemara) IPA(key): /ˈbˠalˠəvˠ/, /ˈbˠal̪ˠəvˠ/
  • (Mayo) IPA(key): /ˈbˠalˠuː/, /ˈbˠal̪ˠuː/
  • (Ulster) IPA(key): /ˈbˠɔlˠu/, /ˈbˠɔl̪ˠu/[3] (as if spelled bolbh)

Adjective

balbh (genitive singular masculine bailbh, genitive singular feminine bailbhe, plural balbha, comparative bailbhe)

  1. mute, dumb
  2. inarticulate
  3. dull (of sound)

Declension
Declension of balbh
Singular Plural (m/f)
Positive Masculine Feminine (strong noun) (weak noun)
Nominative balbh bhalbh balbha;
bhalbha²
Vocative bhailbh balbha
Genitive bailbhe balbha balbh
Dative balbh;
bhalbh¹		 bhalbh;
bhailbh (archaic)		 balbha;
bhalbha²
Comparative níos bailbhe
Superlative is bailbhe

¹ When the preceding noun is lenited and governed by the definite article.
² When the preceding noun ends in a slender consonant.

Derived terms
  • balbhán m (“dumb person, mute; stammerer”)

Mutation
Irish mutation
Radical Lenition Eclipsis
balbh bhalbh mbalbh
Note: Some of these forms may be hypothetical. Not every possible mutated form of every word actually occurs.

References
  1. G. Toner, M. Ní Mhaonaigh, S. Arbuthnot, D. Wodtko, M.-L. Theuerkauf, editors (2019), “balb”, in eDIL: Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language
  2. Sjoestedt, M. L. (1931) Phonétique d’un parler irlandais de Kerry (in French), Paris: Librairie Ernest Leroux, page 42
  3. Quiggin, E. C. (1906) A Dialect of Donegal, Cambridge University Press, page 13

Further reading

Scottish Gaelic

Etymology

From Old Irish balb, from Latin balbus.

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /ˈpal̪ˠav/

Adjective

balbh

  1. mute, dumb (unable to speak)
  2. silent, still
  • balbh-bhuidhre
  • balbh-chluich
  • balbh-thinneas
  • balbhachd
  • balbhadh
  • balbhan

References
  • Edward Dwelly (1911) “balbh”, in Faclair Gàidhlig gu Beurla le Dealbhan [The Illustrated Gaelic–English Dictionary]‎, 10th edition, Edinburgh: Birlinn Limited, →ISBN
  • G. Toner, M. Ní Mhaonaigh, S. Arbuthnot, D. Wodtko, M.-L. Theuerkauf, editors (2019), “balb”, in eDIL: Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language
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