teaghlach

Irish

Etymology

From Old Irish teglach. Akin to both teach and slua.

Noun

teaghlach m.

1. immediate family
2. household

The Irish version of the Irish Constitution is using the term teaghlach when the English version is using the term 'family', which some people argue is a proof that the Irish constitution does not exclude same-gender couples or adopted children from its definition of family founded on marriage. (Article 41). The Irish version of the Constitution is used to explicit the English meaning when uncertain. The household, as opposed to the clan, does not need to imply a blood relation.

• Ós ar an bPósadh atá an Teaghlach bunaithe gabhann an Stát air féin coimirce faoi leith a dhéanamh ar ord an phósta agus é a chosaint ar ionsaí. The State pledges itself to guard with special care the institution of Marriage, on which the Family is founded, and to protect it against attack. (Bunreacht na hÉireann, An Teaghlach, Airteagal 41.3.1°)

Declension

First declension

Bare forms: Case Singular Plural Nominative teaghlach teaghlaigh Vocative a theaghlaigh a theaghlacha Genitive teaghlaigh teaghlach Dative teaghlach teaghlaigh

Forms with the definite article: Case Singular Plural Nominative an teaghlach na teaghlaigh Genitive an teaghlaigh na dteaghlach Dative leis an teaghlach don teaghlach leis na teaghlaigh

Mutation

Irish mutation
Radical	Lenition	Eclipsis
teaghlach	theaghlach	dteaghlach
Note: Some of these forms may be hypothetical. Not every possible mutated form of every word actually occurs.

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Scottish Gaelic

Etymology

From Old Irish teglach (teg + slóg)

Pronunciation

• IPA: /tʃɛlaχ/

Noun

teaghlach m. (genitive teaghlaich, plural teaghlaichean)

1. family, household, house in genealogy.
   • Tha teaghlach math a' fuireach anns an taigh sin. There is a good family living in that house. (literally: A good family is residing in that house.)
   • Uile theaghlaichean na talmhainn. All the families of the earth.
2. house, dwelling
3. By extension: clan, tribe, race, progeny

Usage notes

• This is the nominative case of the noun.

References

• The Illustrated Gaelic-English Dictionary (Birlinn Limited, 1901-1911, Compiled by Edward Dwelly)
• A Pronouncing and Etymological Dictionary of the Gaelic Language (John Grant, Edinburgh, 1925, Compiled by Malcolm MacLennan)