Gaelg
Initial consonant mutation is a hallmark of Celtic linguistics. Words systematically alter their opening consonant based on what precedes them—whether possessive pronouns, prepositions, numbers, or grammatical gender.
| Radical (Base) | Mutated Form | Blocked Exceptions |
|---|---|---|
| b | v | None |
| c | ch | None |
| d | gh | None |
| f | None | |
| g | gh | None |
| j | y | None |
| m | v | None |
| p | ph | None |
| qu | wh | None |
| s | h | None |
| t | h | None |
| k | ch | None |
| çh | h | None |
| sh | h | None |
| th | h | None |
| Radical (Base) | Mutated Form | Blocked Exceptions |
|---|---|---|
| b | m | None |
| c | g | None |
| d | n | None |
| f | v | None |
| g | ng | None |
| p | b | None |
| t | d | None |
| th | dh | None |
The following words and grammatical contexts trigger consonant mutations in Manx:
my (1sg possessive, triggers lenition)
your (sg, possessive, triggers lenition)
his (3sg masculine possessive, triggers lenition)
the (definite article, triggers lenition on a following feminine singular noun)
two (numeral, triggers lenition on the following noun)
to / of (preposition, triggers lenition)
under (preposition, triggers lenition)
when (subordinator, triggers lenition on the following verb)
negative particle (does not / is not), triggers lenition on a following verb
auxiliary did (past affirmative); triggers lenition on the following verbal noun
twenty (vigesimal numeral, triggers lenition)
old (preposed adjective; lenites the following noun)
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