The Vocative Case

An Tuiseal Gairmeach

At the very beginning of A1 , we learned about an tuiseal gairmeach (the vocative case) and how names change when we speak directly to someone. But if we use a sloinneadh (surname) as well, this also goes into the vocative case, as does a first name. Remember that a isn't used/present before names which begin with a fuaimreag  (vowel) or f + fuaimreag  (f + vowel). And ainmean boireann (female names) do not slenderise whereas ainmean fireann (male names) do.

Sloinnidhean agus an Tuiseal Ginideach

Surnames and the Genitive (Possessive) Case

Sloinnidhean (surnames) also use the genitive (possessive) case often. When a mac or nic appears in the surname we are actually saying 'son of …' or 'daughter of …'.