Gàidhlig
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 | bh | None |
| c | ch | None |
| d | dh | None |
| f | fh | None |
| g | gh | None |
| m | mh | None |
| p | ph | None |
| s | sh | Does not mutate before: sg, sm, sp, st |
| t | th | None |
| Radical (Base) | Mutated Form | Blocked Exceptions |
|---|---|---|
| vowel | h | None |
| Radical (Base) | Mutated Form | Blocked Exceptions |
|---|---|---|
| vowel | t- | None |
The following words and grammatical contexts trigger consonant mutations in Scottish Gaelic:
my (1sg possessive, triggers lenition)
your (2sg possessive, triggers lenition)
his (3sg.m possessive, triggers lenition; contrast non-leniting 'a' = her)
her (3sg.f possessive, no lenition; prepends h before a vowel-initial noun)
past-tense particle (often dropped in speech but lenition remains)
negative particle (triggers lenition; becomes 'chan' before vowels and 'fh-')
negative interrogative / negative relative, triggers lenition on the following verb
direct relative particle 'a', lenites the following verb
conjunction 'although', lenites the following verb
conjunction 'if' (positive condition), lenites the following verb
vocative particle (calling/addressing someone, triggers lenition)
preposition 'of/from', triggers lenition on following noun
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