Page:Sean-Chaint na nDéise - Sheehan.pdf/20

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It was contemplated at first to mark the accented words in each sentence, but this was found to be impracticable. From the illustrations already given the reader will understand that sentence-accent depends on meaning. Hence it is sometimes called “logical accent,” that is, the accent which sound reason would prescribe.[1]


Words in square brackets [] are from Father Dinneen’s Dictionary.

Perfect consistency, in spelling has not been observed. Wherever it was thought that the pronunciation had been sufficiently explained or was known to the learner already from the ordinary books, the common method of spelling has been employed.

The different sections have been sub-divided, not because of difference of matter, but to facilitate reference.

Observe that accent marks denote word accent, not sentence accent.

PREPOSITIONS.

The precise changes which the initial letter of a noun suffers, when preceded by a preposition, are set forth in the following sections.

It may be stated in general (1), that nouns in the singular, beginning with m or s, preceded by the article and preposition, are treated as if they were in


  1. Dr. Henebry notes that, although this may be taken as a good working rule, it probably does not cover all cases. Certain sounds like that of ċ broad seem to him to attract the accent.