How to introduce yourself in Manx Gaelic

In Manx, you introduce yourself in a way that sounds quite different from English. You say: “Ta’n ennym orrym” – literally “the name is on me”. The word orrym means on me, while ort means on you.

When it comes to possession, something special often happens: the first sound of a word can change. This is called an initial mutation, and it’s a hallmark of the Celtic languages.

Example:

• moddey = dog
• my voddey = my dog (the m changes into v)

At first, these sound shifts may seem confusing, but they’re part of the rhythm and charm of Manx. With practice, you’ll start to spot the patterns and use them naturally.