Helping vowel

A vowel is inserted between two consonants in certain words (usually containing l, r or n). The vowel (called a helping vowel, svarabhakti or epenthetic vowel) is usually an exact copy of the preceding stressed vowel. Listen to the following examples:

[aLabə]	Alba	Alba
[marav]	marbh	marbh
[faLav]	falbh	leave!
[aram]	arm	weapon
[dɔrɔxə]	dorcha	dark
[ɛnɛm]	ainm	name (n.)
[dʲɛrɛg]	dearg	red
[dʲɛrɛv]	dearbh	real
[baLagəm]	balgam	mouthful
[dɤrʲɤv]	doirbh	difficult
[uruxər]	urchar	shot (n.)

For guidelines on the exact nature of the helping vowel, see the section on The Helping Vowel.