Pronouncing the “f” in future tense verbs

[bunktron6000]

My apologies if this has been already asked. I need help in figuring out how to pronounce the “f” in such words as:
Cuirfidh
Tógfaidh
I’ve got a feeling that it’s probably not as in English. Perhaps like English “h”?

Many thanks!
John

[Onuvanja]

You are quite right. In most cases, it would be pronounced like “h”, although there’s a certain amount of variation from one dialect to another. Have a look at this earlier thread:
http://www.daltai.com/forums/viewthread/412/

[bunktron6000]

Thanks much, but I’m with the fellow who posted in the link you provided–I had no idea how to search for it! Something I try my best to do before asking. I think Lughaidh exaggerates a wee bit…

[Onuvanja]

Why do you think Lughaidh exaggerates? 🙂 I’m not that familiar with other dialects, but in Connemara the future tense “f” is either silent or pronounced as “h” (between vowels and after l, m, n, r). And in Cois Fhairrge, it’s always silent.

[bunktron6000]

I should have been more specific. In response to your query, Lughaidh replied that the questioned had been addressed a hundred times before. I found little evidence of this.
I don’t want anyone to misconstrue my comment as being any kind of serious criticism of him. He’s a great guy. He’s been very charitable and patient in answering dozens of my queries.

[Onuvanja]

So sorry! Then I completely misunderstood your comment. Still, there’s little I can add to what Lughaidh said in that thread. Hopefully other members will be able to offer more insights.

[Labhrás]

A synopsis.
It is in German but not difficult to understand:
http://www.braesicke.de/ortho.htm#fidh

[gerrynobody]

Does anyone have any good links to explain the prounciation of ‘f’ in the past habitual, as well as the future and conditional autonomous. This has long puzzled me. For example:

thiocfainn
thiocfá
thiocfadh sé/sí/sibh
thiocfaimis
thiocfaidís

tiocfar
thiocfaí

Is the f always pronounced as [h] in these?

[Labhrás]

In past habitual there is no f:

thagainn
thagtá
thagadh sé
thagaimis
thagadh sibh
thagaidís

thagtaí

[Seáinín]

As Labhrás has indicated, you listed a conjugation of the verb “tar” in the modh choinníolach, but your question still holds. As with earlier answers, it depends on the canúint. In most of Conemara you would only hear the ‘f’ pronounced in the second person singular, thiocfá. In some places, like An Cheathrú Rúa, you general don’t hear it pronounced even there. No sound of ‘h’ either, just a smooth glide from the ‘c’ to the following vowel.

[Labhrás]

As Labhrás has indicated, you listed a conjugation of the verb “tar” in the modh choinníolach, but your question still holds. As with earlier answers, it depends on the canúint. In most of Conemara you would only hear the ‘f’ pronounced in the second person singular, thiocfá..

… and in thiocfaí and tiocfar, I’d say.

[gerrynobody]

Go raibh maith agat 🙂
Sorry, I meant to say conditional originally, not past habitual. Call it a brain fart, broim intinne…

[LiamO]

Does anyone have any good links to explain the prounciation of ‘f’ in the past habitual, as well as the future and conditional autonomous. This has long puzzled me. For example:

thiocfainn
thiocfá
thiocfadh sé/sí/sibh
thiocfaimis
thiocfaidís

tiocfar
thiocfaí

Is the f always pronounced as [h] in these?

In Erris the ‘f’ in future and conditional forms are realised as a /h/ sound, including autonomous and second person singular forms. This /h/ is often the only thing differentiating the conditional and past hab. form of a verb, though some irregular verbs (as you’ve cited here) change their stems:

Thiocfainn > Thiginn

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