Blair Collection > Elements of Gaelic grammar

8 OF PRONUNCIATION [Part I.
One of the moft marked variations of Diale<Sl occurs in
the pronunciation of the diphthong eu ; which, instead of
being pronounced like long ^, is over all the North High-
lands commonly pronounced like ia ,• as ' nial, ian, fiar' for
' neul, eun, feur.'
Ia.
The found of ia is made up of the founds of both the
vowels.
1, Made up of (i) / and (i) a ; both of equal length,
as ' fial' liberal y ' iar' ivejl.
2. Made up of (i) i and (2) a: of equal length, as
* fiadh' a deery ' ciall' common fenfe.
In * cia' ivhich? * iad' they : ia is often found like (i) ^«
Jo.
The found of io is either made up of the founds of both
the vowels, or like one of them alone.
1. Made up of (1) i and (3)0; /long, fliort, as ' diof
to pay, ' fior' true ; i fhort, as ' iolach' "a pout y * ionnfuidli
an attack.
Before a Lingual or a Palatal, not quiefcent, the fome-
times lofes its found, and only qualifies that of the follow*
ing confonant -, hence,
2. Like (i) i ; long, as ' iodhof an idol ; fliort, as * crios'
a girdle, ' biorach pointed.
After a Lingual or a Palatal, not quiefcent, the i fome-
times lofes its found, and only qualifies that of the preceding
confonant •, hence,
3. Like u in fun, fliort and obfcure, as ' cionta' guilfy
' tiondadh' to turn.
lu.
The found of iu is either made up of the found of both
the vowels, or like u alone.
I. Made up of (i) i and (i) u ; i fliort, u long, as ' fiu'
•worthy; u fliort, as ' iucliair' a key.
After a Lingual or z Palatal, not quiefcent, the i lofes its
found