Unit 4 - Saying what you’ve been doing and what you're going to do
Làithean na seachdain "Days of the week"
In order to see this content you need to have both Javascript enabled and Flash installed. Visit BBC Webwise for full instructions
The names of the days of the week are fascinating. Four of them originate in Latin because of the influence of the early Christian Church; the other three derive from ancient Celtic roots. Each time you use them you are taking a journey through Scottish history. You can hear how to pronounce each day in Gaelic by clicking on the name. Next to each one is some information on its origin.
- Didòmhnaich
- Sunday, Latin, dies Dominica, day of the Lord.
- Là na Sàbaid
- Sunday, Celtic/Latin, Sabbath day.
- Diluain
- Monday, Latin, dies lunae, day of the moon.
- Dimàirt
- Tuesday, Latin, dies Martis, day of Mars.
- Diciadain
- Wednesday, Ancient Gaelic, day of the first fast.
- Diardaoin
- Thursday, Ancient Gaelic, day between two fasts.
- Dihaoine
- Friday, Ancient Gaelic, the fast day.
- Disathairne
- Saturday, Latin, dies Saturni, day of Saturn.
In Sections 1 to 3, you were able to choose between identical conversations, using either sibh or thu, the formal and informal for you. This will be the model here too, but the conversations will no longer be identical (as your vocabulary should be continually expanding!), so you should look at both. Remember, however, when it is appropriate to use sibh rather than thu.
