“cúig bliana” vs. “cúig bhliana”

[Harrison]

In Colloquial Irish, I’ve heard speakers in the recordings say both “cúig bliana” and “cúig bhliana”? Is one preferred over the other? From my understanding, “cúig bliana” appears to be standard. Is “cúig bhliana” a Conamara thing?

Go raibh maith agaibh.

[Onuvanja]

Unfortunately, neither Gaeilge Chois Fhairrge nor An Teanga Bheo have anything to say on the subject. However, O’Siadhail does mention it briefly in his Learning Irish, saying that “five” lenites a number of special plural forms, such as “bliana”. So perhaps there is some uncertainty in that area and some people lenite “bliana”, but others don’t. Still, the word “five” itself is usually lenited in Conamara, so you’d normally say “chúig”.

[Onuvanja]

Just to clarify my previous comment, the lenited form “chúig” is used for counting objects, e.g. “five boats” (not when it stands alone, as in “one, two, three …” or “five o’clock”).

[Harrison]

Go raibh maith agat. I have a copy of An Teanga Bheo on the way, so that should help.

[Onuvanja]

Good idea! If you’re specifically interested in Connemara Irish, I would also recommend O’Siadhail’s Learning Irish. It’s a bit tedious and old-fashioned, but more detailed than An Teanga Bheo.

[Héilics Órbhuí]

I recently came across a “cúig bhliana” in a story by Ó Cadhain, so it probably is a Conamara thing.

[Labhrás]

I recently came across a “cúig bhliana” in a story by Ó Cadhain, so it probably is a Conamara thing.

Yes, but as well in Blasket Islands Irish (Peig Sayers, Tomás Ó Criomhthain)

[Lughaidh]

Could it be a mistake made by the editor?

[Author]

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