An old Gaelic phrase - what might it mean??
-
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Wed Nov 02, 2016 8:36 pm
- Language Level: Minimal
- Corrections: Please don't analyse my Gaelic
- Location: UK
An old Gaelic phrase - what might it mean??
Hi. I wonder whether someone with knowledge of old Gaelic phrases and idioms might be able to help?
In 1871 a tradition was recorded.
It says that a man unwilling to give his daughter in marriage made an excuse: "gun ro leum na ceann aig aird na gealaich".
As far as my brother (who is fluent) can make out it says "that the head(s) jumped at the promontory of the moon"??
You can see the original at http://www.carmichaelwatson.lib.ed.ac.u ... isinis/ALL
Any help will be gratefully received
Thanks for reading!
William
In 1871 a tradition was recorded.
It says that a man unwilling to give his daughter in marriage made an excuse: "gun ro leum na ceann aig aird na gealaich".
As far as my brother (who is fluent) can make out it says "that the head(s) jumped at the promontory of the moon"??
You can see the original at http://www.carmichaelwatson.lib.ed.ac.u ... isinis/ALL
Any help will be gratefully received
Thanks for reading!
William
-
- Rianaire
- Posts: 4607
- Joined: Mon Sep 17, 2007 11:26 am
- Language Level: Mion-chùiseach
- Corrections: Please correct my grammar
- Location: Dùthaich mo chridhe
- Contact:
An old Gaelic phrase - what might it mean??
"na ceann" could also mean "in her head".
Oileanach chànan chuthachail
Na dealbhan agam
Na dealbhan agam
-
- Rianaire
- Posts: 1781
- Joined: Mon Nov 17, 2008 1:26 am
- Language Level: Barail am broinn baraille
- Corrections: Please don't analyse my Gaelic
- Location: Glaschu
- Contact:
An old Gaelic phrase - what might it mean??
He's making the excuse that she's crazy, leum 'na ceann 'a leap in her head' i.e. something gone wrong, aig àirde na gealaich, as high as the moon is just an intensifier, a bit like saying she's completely bonkers.
Do, or do not. There is no try.
★ Am Faclair Beag ★ iGàidhlig, do charaid airson bathar-bog na Gàidhlig: Firefox, Thunderbird, LibreOffice, Skype is mòran a bharrachd ★
★ Am Faclair Beag ★ iGàidhlig, do charaid airson bathar-bog na Gàidhlig: Firefox, Thunderbird, LibreOffice, Skype is mòran a bharrachd ★
-
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Wed Nov 02, 2016 8:36 pm
- Language Level: Minimal
- Corrections: Please don't analyse my Gaelic
- Location: UK
An old Gaelic phrase - what might it mean??
That's really helpful - thanks! There's a Northern Irish phrase describing someone who's taken a bit of a crazy turn - "head staggers".
I wonder whether 'head staggers' might be an English tr*nsl*t**n of an old Gaelic phrase?
William
I wonder whether 'head staggers' might be an English tr*nsl*t**n of an old Gaelic phrase?
William
-
- Rianaire
- Posts: 1432
- Joined: Sun Sep 23, 2007 6:58 pm
- Language Level: Fluent (non-native)
- Corrections: I'm fine either way
- Location: Sruighlea, Alba
- Contact:
An old Gaelic phrase - what might it mean??
The moon was traditionally associated with madness across Europe -- it's not a coincidence that we call crazy people lunatics. There's an outdated English phrase describing someone as "touched by the moon" when they have mental problems. (The internet claims this is Cockney rhyming slang for "loon", but I don't believe it.)
An old Gaelic phrase - what might it mean??
OTHELLO
It is the very error of the moon,
She comes more nearer earth than she was wont
And makes men mad.
It is the very error of the moon,
She comes more nearer earth than she was wont
And makes men mad.
-
- Rianaire
- Posts: 1781
- Joined: Mon Nov 17, 2008 1:26 am
- Language Level: Barail am broinn baraille
- Corrections: Please don't analyse my Gaelic
- Location: Glaschu
- Contact:
An old Gaelic phrase - what might it mean??
Dug a bit further now I'm back with my books. The second part actually means "at full moon", making the whole thing an elaborate excuse for her being bonkers due to the full moon - which isn't anyone's fault so nobody would be offended. A bit like the old-fashioned word moonstruck.
Do, or do not. There is no try.
★ Am Faclair Beag ★ iGàidhlig, do charaid airson bathar-bog na Gàidhlig: Firefox, Thunderbird, LibreOffice, Skype is mòran a bharrachd ★
★ Am Faclair Beag ★ iGàidhlig, do charaid airson bathar-bog na Gàidhlig: Firefox, Thunderbird, LibreOffice, Skype is mòran a bharrachd ★
-
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Wed Nov 02, 2016 8:36 pm
- Language Level: Minimal
- Corrections: Please don't analyse my Gaelic
- Location: UK
An old Gaelic phrase - what might it mean??
Akerbeltz - that's excellent information - thank you! May I ask where you found that meaning?
William
William
-
- Rianaire
- Posts: 1781
- Joined: Mon Nov 17, 2008 1:26 am
- Language Level: Barail am broinn baraille
- Corrections: Please don't analyse my Gaelic
- Location: Glaschu
- Contact:
An old Gaelic phrase - what might it mean??
The Dictionarium Scoto-Celticum under "full"
Do, or do not. There is no try.
★ Am Faclair Beag ★ iGàidhlig, do charaid airson bathar-bog na Gàidhlig: Firefox, Thunderbird, LibreOffice, Skype is mòran a bharrachd ★
★ Am Faclair Beag ★ iGàidhlig, do charaid airson bathar-bog na Gàidhlig: Firefox, Thunderbird, LibreOffice, Skype is mòran a bharrachd ★
-
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Wed Nov 02, 2016 8:36 pm
- Language Level: Minimal
- Corrections: Please don't analyse my Gaelic
- Location: UK
An old Gaelic phrase - what might it mean??
Thank you - I can see it for myself on archive.org
I'm doing some amateur research with a friend - there is a faint chance we may publish at some point. If so, we'd want to acknowledge your help. Can you let me know your name, or should we just go with "Akerbeltz on foramnagaidhlig.net"?
Thanks again
William
I'm doing some amateur research with a friend - there is a faint chance we may publish at some point. If so, we'd want to acknowledge your help. Can you let me know your name, or should we just go with "Akerbeltz on foramnagaidhlig.net"?
Thanks again
William
-
- Rianaire
- Posts: 1781
- Joined: Mon Nov 17, 2008 1:26 am
- Language Level: Barail am broinn baraille
- Corrections: Please don't analyse my Gaelic
- Location: Glaschu
- Contact:
An old Gaelic phrase - what might it mean??
Och chan e rùn a th' ann, it's no secret, my name is Michael Bauer
Do, or do not. There is no try.
★ Am Faclair Beag ★ iGàidhlig, do charaid airson bathar-bog na Gàidhlig: Firefox, Thunderbird, LibreOffice, Skype is mòran a bharrachd ★
★ Am Faclair Beag ★ iGàidhlig, do charaid airson bathar-bog na Gàidhlig: Firefox, Thunderbird, LibreOffice, Skype is mòran a bharrachd ★
-
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Wed Nov 02, 2016 8:36 pm
- Language Level: Minimal
- Corrections: Please don't analyse my Gaelic
- Location: UK
An old Gaelic phrase - what might it mean??
That's great - thanks again!
William
William