PARADIGMS OF THE IRREGULAR VERBS
GENERAL REMARKS.
The dependent form of the verb is that used in the imperative mood and after ní, not; an, interrog. part.; naċ, interrog. neg. part.: go, that; cá, where; muna, unless; dá, if, and tho relative governed by a preposition. In these verbs in some tenses the independent or absolute form is distinct from the dependent form. Thus, adeirim, I say, but ní abraim, I do not say; ḃéarad, I will give, but ní ṫiuḃrad, I will not give; tá airgead agam, I have money, but an ḃfuil airgead agat? have you money? The tendency of the modern development of the language is to break down the distinction between the two sets of forms and use one form in all cases. Indeed the perfection with which this distinction is observed may furnish a rough test of the purity and strength of the vernacular idiom in any district. The generation which has just passed away observed this distinction more scrupulously than the present. Thus, I remember old people say ḃéarad or ḃéaraiḋ mé scilling duit, I will give you a shilling, now one hoars generally taḃarfad scilling duit. In West Kerry good speakers now say níor ċuaiḋ, while in East Kerry the proper form ní ḋeaġaiḋ (ḋeaċaiḋ) is retained. The verb adeirim has a strong tendency to part with its dependent forms, especially in the future and conditional. One hears ní abraim (present), but also commonly ní déarfad (future). Do-ḃeirim still holds its own in the present (do not being pronounced), especially in more solemn statements as (do)-ḃeirim mo ḃanna ḋuit, I solemnly assure you; but tugaim and taḃraim are also used. A perfect form do-ḃeir (old preterite, do-ḃeirt, 3rd singular) is heard in Kerry.
I have ventured to supply a 1st sing, imperat. which is peculiar in its use. In using this form the speaker commands not himself but another—he commands or entreats that a certain act be performed (the verb for which is not expressed), which will result in a certain consequence to himself, this consequence being expressed by this 1st singular
