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