As I mentioned, I'm working through Learning Irish with a group of people. It teachers mara then gives maran as an answer (Lesson 11). I found in the old TYI that the present forms are marar, maran, though it is a different dialect. So are these two basically in free variation or is there a rule to their use? Bríd, are either maran or marar used in Connemara or is it just mara?

The sentence was: Maran thusa Cáith, ní bheidh sé sásta ar chor ar bith

I also know that marar is the conditional/past version of it as well, but the TYI quote seemed to suggest it was used in the present as well, though that's like a Munster thing?

Maran is a form used in present tense copula sentences with a following noun or pronoun (except é, í, iad -> marab é/í/íad).

Maran thusa Cáit, ni bheidh sé sásta ar chor ar bith.

Mara/maran is just like "cha/chan" (= ní) in Ulster.

If I understand the word you want. In this part of Conamara we'd say "Marach thusa" (if it wasn't for you).

GRMA. So it's basically interchangable with mara when used with the copula? So Mara thusa = Maran thusa?



I believe he was aiming for "If you aren't Cáit ..." Convoluted, I know, but that's how I read it.

Indeed? I thought what was meant was:
If you aren't Kate, he won't be happy.

As in he requested a particular lady, but it looks like another woman showed up from the brothel for service today and the secretary is warning her

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ЯГОН ТОҶИК НЕСТ ИНҶО???

Maran ~ Marar thusa, b’fhéidir, in the dialect.
Maran is the older (and more correct) form
(just like the question copula form an ... is replaced by ar ... )

In CO: mura tusa

I’d think mara without -r, -b or -n is used only with verbs (mara gcuireann ..., except tá: marab fhuil)

Yeah, you're right. I was just coming back to correct that.




GRMMA. Now just to find out which is said.

Thanks again Labhrás.

Edit: Just asked a native speaker friend of mine. He said marar would be used.

Sorry I misunderstood, yes the word would be "marar".

Go raibh míle maith agat a Bhríd.