Hi everyone, I came across the phrase “d’fliuch sé an leaba” over here on gaschaint.ie.
I noticed that the Connacht speakers retained the “d’” sound of the “do” particle whereas the Ulster and Munster speakers dropped it.
My understanding was that the d should be retained in these situations (e.g. d’fháisc sé é) but in this instance it seems it’s ok to either keep or drop it.
Does anyone know the rationale for this?
I can only assume the d+l combo is a little harder to sound out, so speakers opt to drop it, but there may be another reason.
And if so are there other combos like this where the d is regularly dropped (maybe with “fr” combos)?

Well, if it's relevant, d'fhliuch is often found as do fhliuch in traditional Munster literature. It is also found as d'fhliuch too, so both forms are there.

Another combination is fhr. D'fhreagair is often found as do fhreagair in traditional Munster literature. Amhlaoibh Ó Loingsigh has this, as well as Peadar Ua Laoghaire.

Neither of these is found in print as such as fhliuch or fhreagair, at least in works published before 1950. But writing the perfective particle separately might imply that it could be dropped???

Thanks for the extra context dj.
I think it does help, and points to the “do” being optional in these instances.