I try to teach her <br />the two “To Be’s” <br />in Irish. <br /> <br />“TÁ” is used to <br />express a state <br />or a condition. <br /> <br />“IS” is used to <br />express existence. <br /> <br />So... <br /> <br />“Tá se mor! <br />(“He is big! ”) <br /> <br />but <br /> <br />“Is fear mor e! ” <br />(“He is a big man! ”) <br /> <br />“Tá...se... yesyes...” <br />(then tentatively) <br />“...teach! ” <br />(exultantly!) <br /> <br />“No...no.. that <br />structure doesn’t exist in Irish! ” <br /> <br /> <br />We say: <br /> <br />“Tá se ina theach! ” <br /> <br />“It is in its state <br />of being <br />a house! ” <br /> <br />She laughs. <br /> <br />Kisses me. <br /> <br />Says she’s <br />in a state <br /> <br />of being <br /> <br />in love.<br /><br />Dónall Dempsey<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/ah-mo-chro-314-is-leatsa-an-ghra-ah-my-love-the-love-is-yours/
