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HelpNiamh
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???
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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.
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I'll try and remember that; thanks!
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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.
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I'm not sure about Irish... Try the facts board. But basically, the 'a' is silent and 'mh' is like a 'v' in English.
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I have it posted there as well (as an afterthought). Thanks!
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