Semi-vowels

Some sounds in Irish have a very limited usage in actual pronunciation. A good example is the fact that /Y/ is needed only initially in Irish (as opposed to Scottish Gaelic where it is found non-initially). Another example is the fact that while slender dh/gh/j/) and slender ch /x′/ are found initially in all dialects, only in Donegal and Connacht are slender dh/gh /j/) and slender c h/ x′/ necessary medially. Yet despite the restricted occurrence of such sounds in actual pronunciation, an underlying broad dh/gh /Y), slender dh/gh /j/), broad bh /w/ and broad mh /w/ are required in order to explain the relationship which exists between certain forms.

Slender fricatives

Here the conversion of a semi-vowel slender ch /x′/ or slender bh/mh /v′/ to /j/ is our main concern; but the further change dh/gh /j/ to /g′/ is also discussed.

Treatment of slender ch /x′/ and slender dh/gh /j/). The various developments of slender ch /x′/ and slender dh/gh /j/ in the major dialects are illustrated in Table 4.1.

In summary it can be said that slender ch /x′/ either must be preserved as in cloiche /klox′ə/ (D, Mo) or be changed to /h/ as in cloiche /klohə/ (M) or be changed to /j/ following an unstressed vowel. Conversely, slender dh/gh /j/ is changed to slender ch /x′/ as in cruaidh /kruːəx′/ (Mo).