Questions and Answers
Irish has no words for "yes" and "no". The answer to a question contains a repetition (the same as in Latin) of the verb, either with or without a negative particle. For analytic forms, only the verb is given and the subject is not repeated. If a verb has different dependent and independent forms, the dependent form follows the interrogative or negative particle. The independent form is used where there is no particle.
- An éisteann Seán lena mháthair riamh? "Does Seán ever listen to his mother?"
- Éisteann. (not: *Éisteann sé) "Yes, he does."
- Ní éisteann. (not: *Ní éisteann sé) "No, he doesn't."
- Nach bhfuil tú ag éisteacht liom? "Aren't you listening to me?"
- Táim. "Yes, I am."
- Nílim. "No, I'm not."
Read more about this topic: Irish Syntax
Famous quotes containing the words questions and/or answers:
“We like security: we like the pope to be infallible in matters of faith, and grave doctors to be so in moral questions so that we can feel reassured.”
—Blaise Pascal (1623–1662)
“Every generation rewrites the past. In easy times history is more or less of an ornamental art, but in times of danger we are driven to the written record by a pressing need to find answers to the riddles of today.... In times of change and danger when there is a quicksand of fear under men’s reasoning, a sense of continuity with generations gone before can stretch like a lifeline across the scary present and get us past that idiot delusion of the exceptional Now that blocks good thinking.”
—John Dos Passos (1896–1970)