Blair Collection > Dictionarium scoto-celticum > Volume I

xvl INTRODUCTION.
Thus, in each article or word, inserted in the Vocabulary of the first part of this
work, will be found, first, the word itself, with its leading inflections in abbreviated
form ; then its translation into English and Latin ; next, an example or authority, with
reference to the source in the language from which it has been derived, translated
also into English and Latin ; following which, are introduced, when necessary to be no-
ticed, peculiar and idiomatic phrases and compounds in the Scoto-Gaelic language, also
translated ; and in conclusion such affinities are appended, where they could be dis-
covered, as have been already mentioned. Though it is by study of the Grammar of the
Scoto-Gaelic, that a knowledge of the inflections and frame-work of the language is
alone to be satisfactorily learned, it may here be expected that a few rules should be
given, to facilitate the progress of those who desire to peruse the work. It is in declin-
able words, that difficulties will occur to the reader. He will find Substantive Nouns
entered in their simple or nominative form, followed by the terminational genitive form,
and nominative plural termination : where these inflections are irregular, they are entered
at length. Adjective Nouns are entered in their simple or positive state, followed by
their comparative degree, which is pointed out by its terminational form ; and where
these are irregular, they are also entered at length. Pronouns, whether irregularly de-
clined or indeclinable, are given at length in their several accidents. Of Verbs, the root
in Scoto-Gaelic being always found in the second person singular of the imperative
mood, they have been introduced in that form ; and the translations are given in the cor-
responding part of the English and Latin. The second person singular of the impe-
rative is immediately followed by the terminating syllable of the future indicative,
which joined to the imperative, first given, forms that other constituent part of the
verb ; and then follows the initial form of the preterit indicative ; which, substituted for
the simple initial form of the imperative, changes the imperative into the preterit tense
of the indicative ; from which three are formed in Gaelic, the other parts of the verb : when
these also are irregular, they are exhibited at full length. The indeclinable words of the
language demand no special instruction for a consultation of the work with advantage.
But it may here be advantageously hinted to the etymologist, that various enunciations, so
closely similar as to be only distinguishable by a native, are necessarily represented by
different combinations of consonants. Thus, of the consonants, dh and gh as well as ch
have but one guttural sound, approaching to the various sounds of the x of the Greeks.
And of the simple vowel sounds, it may be remarked that, a, o and u, when found in
terminational or penultimate syllables, represent generally but the same sound ; it being
one characteristic of the Scoto-Gaelic, that all penultimate and tenninational syllables of
words are but lightly, if not imperfectly pronounced.
With respect to the fulness of the Vocabulary of Gaelic words exhibited in the first part
of the work, the conductors could neither expect nor the compilers engage, that it should be
free from many omissions. There are circumstances attendant upon different languages,
which, to the Lexicographer of any of them, are disadvantageous, serving to conceal from