[Opinions] Niamh
I like the Irish girls' name Niamh. However, I am wondering how the spelling and pronunciation seem to be so different. Is anyone here an Irish language expert???
Replies
The letter "v" is not used in the Irish language, Gaeilge (or q, z, y, x). But you can have a vee sound. Both "bh" and "mh" can sound like vee.
I'll try and remember that; thanks!
It's easier to remember if you can work it out: say mmm. Think of where your lips are. Then say b. It's an m with your lips moved apart, OK? Right, now for the h. An h is basically a slightly audible airflow. So if you try to make either an m sound or a b sound with the addition of an airflow, what you get is a v. And the spelling reflects that.
I'm not sure about Irish... Try the facts board. But basically, the 'a' is silent and 'mh' is like a 'v' in English.
I have it posted there as well (as an afterthought). Thanks!