Sir, - For the life of me I cannot understand why "rβsch·rsa" or "ceanncheathr·" should upset and disturb Richard Roche and Seβn ╙ Cearnaigh (October 5th and 11th). Both are in the de Bhaldraithe and ╙ Domhnaill dictionaries. "Ceathr·" in the sense of quarter (ar ceathr·) was always there as a military term and "rβs" and "c·rsa" were accepted into the language many many hundreds of years ago.
Nouns being joined to other nouns and adjectives was ever acceptable: ceannadhairt, ceannaghaidh, ceannbheart, ceanndβna, ceannpheaca. . . And as for the adjective following the noun, even beginners know that "ardr∅" is not the same as "r∅ ard"! Seβn ╙ Cearnaigh is entitled not to like "Gaelβras" as a name for a building, but what's grammatically wrong with it? Mβirt∅n ╙ Cadhain was one of the founders of Gael-Linn. And what about Gaelscoil or spΘirbhean?
What amuses me, however, is the assertion by Mr ╙ Cearnaigh that bad grammar will cause the death and destruction of Irish. Would that we had only grammar to worry about! - Yours, etc.,
Diarmuid Breathnach, Sidmonton Gardens, Bray, Co Wicklow.