Brigid's Name

[childofbast]

I've yet to seriously sit down and study Irish. It is definitely on my to-do list, though! However, I do look at both the Old and Modern forms of Irish when trying to figure out how to say the names of the Gods. In particular, I'm stumped on Brigid. Or Brighid. Or Brid. Or... That's part of the problem. In many of the books I'm reading (mythology and history books), it's spelled Brigid. That's generally what I use. But I know other people who use alternative forms with alternative pronunciations. This is somewhat confusing. From what I gather, Brigid is closer to older Irish, and Brid is modern Irish. Is this true? And how are they properly pronounced? In some books, I see the suggested pronunciation of Brigid as something similar to "bree-id". Yet other places say "breejid". (Forgive me, I don't know how to post phonemic symbols online.) As for Brid, I hear many people say just "bree".

Can anyone offer some help? Do you know any well researched websites or articles that discuss the pronunciation of her name? I'm particularly interested in the Old Irish. Any help would be greatly appreciated. :)

[TomasFlannabhra]

The spelling and pronounciation differs from time period to time period, dialect or geographic location.
Some spelling variants include:
Bríd(e) (breed or bree-je) (Modern spelling)
Brighid (breezj or breejd, though I've also heard it said bree-id or bree-ij.)
Brighde (bree-dje)
Brigid/t (see Brighid)

When lenition occurs (softening of a consonant) it will appear as Bhrid, making the 'bh' have a 'v' sound (vreedj or vree-dje).

[childofbast]

Thank you for your response. What spelling do you usually use, and why?

[TomasFlannabhra]

Thank you for your response. What spelling do you usually use, and why?
I use Bríd because it's modern Irish.

[Enlightenment1]

I use Brigid. Don't ask me why though, I think it's just the fact I've always spelled it like that *shrugs*

[ibonewits]

Fortunately, She answers to all the different pronunciations of Her name. :)

I usually use Bree or Bree-jh (like a drunk trying to say "breeze") or what ever rhymes best with the song I'm writing and/or singing. As mentioned, when addressing Her directly ("O Brigid") one says "Ah Vree" or "Ah Vree-jh."

As one of the few "universal" Celtic deities, She's used to lots of different pronunciations.

cheers,
Isaac

[odubhain]

Fortunately, She answers to all the different pronunciations of Her name. :)

I usually use Bree or Bree-jh (like a drunk trying to say "breeze") or what ever rhymes best with the song I'm writing and/or singing. As mentioned, when addressing Her directly ("O Brigid") one says "Ah Vree" or "Ah Vree-jh."

As one of the few "universal" Celtic deities, She's used to lots of different pronunciations.

cheers,
IsaacHer name is literally power:

brí\1/ {.nf.} =
<1> strength|
vigour|
in ísle brí, run down|
in ísle brí, enfeebled|
<2> force|
significance|
<3> influence|
merit|

Searles

[tallwoman.9169]

I feel weird posting here, and please know I do not mean any disrespect. I am new here, and fairly new to forums so am uncertain of what is considered correct.

I had heard of Brighid, had read a little about her. But I was usually drawn to Crone Goddesses. Then I took Reiki I. When we did a meditation to meet our Reiki guide, I expected some spiritual guide, just a regular entity. No one I had heard of before. A beautiful tall, slender woman with hair the color of fire cascaded down her back, the sunlight through the curls seemed to make the hair take on a life of its own. Her eyes were deep blue. She wore a dress of white with a cape over it of forest green that was embroidered with figures and symbols I did not recognize. I asked her what her name was. She said Brighid. I heard Bri-gid with a hard g. Did she pronounce her name to me that way because she knew I would recognize her name that way? No matter how you pronounce Her name, after you meet Her, you never forget the experience.

[odubhain]

I asked her what her name was. She said Brighid. I heard Bri-gid with a hard g. Did she pronounce her name to me that way because she knew I would recognize her name that way? No matter how you pronounce Her name, after you meet Her, you never forget the experience.

In my experiences, deities fill the mental constructs we have of them unless they are inhabiting an actual body (i.e. priest or priestess in ritual) place, or other object/thing. How you perceived Brighid and heard her name came from your mind's awareness. My suggestion to you is to study her in a cultural context to learn how she is seen and how her name is pronounced in that culture. By doing this, you will honor the culture and the deity who has embraced that culture. You will also be following one of the three legs of the Druidic triad which teaches us:

To honor the gods,
Do no evil,
And live by right actions.

I see by the avatar you've used to represent yourself here that you have a concept of Brighid that honors her immensely.

Here's a link to how to pronounce her name in Modern Irish:

http://www.thestonepentacle.com/project/words/brighid/pronounce-brighid.html

The name was pronounced with a hard "g" in Old Irish as can be seen here:

http://www.namenerds.com/irish/brigid.html

"BRIG-eth" more or less or just "BRIG."

In the text of the Battle of Moytura, her name is given as "Brig."

For me there is some uncertainty in the pronunciation even here as the "h" softens the "g" in all forms of Irish and was usually implied in older forms.

Here's guides to pronouncing Old Irish and Modern Irish:

Old Irish: http://www.smo.uhi.ac.uk/sengoidelc/donncha/labhairt.html

Modern: http://www.standingstones.com/gaelpron.html

If the goddess told me to pronounce her name with a hard "g" there would be no doubt for me about what I'd call her. Tell the pronunciation police that it's a name and that's how you heard it.

I hope this helps.

Tá fáilte romhat,

Searles O'Dubhain

[tallwoman.9169]

Thank you for the link. I do honor her immensely. I'm not sure if I'm a Druid. Am still searching for my path. I figure since Brigid and Black Ana have called to me, it's something Celtic. Or at least incorporating Celtic.

[odubhain]

Thank you for the link. I do honor her immensely. I'm not sure if I'm a Druid. Am still searching for my path. I figure since Brigid and Black Ana have called to me, it's something Celtic. Or at least incorporating Celtic.

They are indeed, a two seasoned calling.

Blessings to you as you walk the faces.

Searles

[Julea]

The spelling and pronounciation differs from time period to time period, dialect or geographic location.
Some spelling variants include:
Bríd(e) (breed or bree-je) (Modern spelling)
Brighid (breezj or breejd, though I've also heard it said bree-id or bree-ij.)
Brighde (bree-dje)
Brigid/t (see Brighid)

When lenition occurs (softening of a consonant) it will appear as Bhrid, making the 'bh' have a 'v' sound (vreedj or vree-dje).

I've seen it spelled as Bridhe, and I think that's my favorite because it looks the prettiest. :weirdsmil How would one go about pronouncing that one?

[odubhain]

I've seen it spelled as Bridhe, and I think that's my favorite because it looks the prettiest. :weirdsmil How would one go about pronouncing that one?

I think it would be pronounced as "Bree" in much the same way that Sidhe is pronounced as "Shee" if one is pronouncing it as an Irish name.

Searles