Its fun isn't it? Strange how the first thing you want to do with a new
languge is write poetry.
I am a little intrigued by a pattern where you use' I am....". You may have
read Graves' "The White Goddess" where he refers to some ancient Celtic
verse which uses the same form, it is a magical incantation among other
things, also a riddle form, if I recall. I found it interesting because, (
and correct me if I am wrong) but Gaelic is a form of Celtic, just as Welsh
and Cornish are, are they not?
As I say interesting, somehow I think I would like to hear it rather than
read it, it makes my throat ache. LOL Arthur.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Sally Evans" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 04, 2004 5:28 PM
Subject: New: biligual poem
I'm just going to try this out on an English audience, since it's quiet!
I'll be working on stuff like this at my Gaelic writing course, as well as
the haibun!
I need to tell you what the Gaelic means, and how to say it. it's all very
easy Gaelic. it hasnt got a title yet, and may be revised on the course!
Tha mi ag ionnsaichaidh /haa mi kyonsakee I am a learner
I have a lot of fun
Leasannan gach Lunasdail /lessanan gak Lunasdal lesons every Monday
from twelve o'clock till one.
Tha mi ag ionnsaichaidh,
This would seem the rub:
Gaelic in the lessons,
but English in the pub.
Chaidh mi aig Mon Ithiac / khai mi ak Moniack I went to Moniack
Chaidh mi aig Sabhal Mòr, / Khai mi a Sal Mor I went to Sabhal Mòr
I hie'd me to the regions
I had never seen before
Chunnaic mi na starsannan, /Khunnic mi na starshanan I saw the stars
Chunnaic mi nan làtha, / Khunnic mi nan laa I saw the days
Chunnaic mi na beanntainn / Khunnic mi na bentyan I saw the mountains
as I propped up the bar,
Dh'ith mi na coilltean /Gith mi na coylchin I ate the forests
is dh'ol mi na cuan /is gol mi na coon and I drank the seas
is sgriobhaidh mi bardachd / ees screevy mi bardock and I'll write poetry
to sing on the moon.
S'toileam na bardachd, /stollem na bardock I like poetry
S'toleam faclan is ceòl. / stollem faclan ees cyol &Ilike words & music
Is a little bit of Gaelic
worse than none at all?
Tha mi ag ionnsaichaidh, /I am a learner
tha mi cat-an-taighe, / haa mi cat an tee I am a house cat*
fearsome woodland wildcats
should be terrified of me.
Tha mi ag ionnsaichaidh,
Tha mi seallaig/bee, / Haa mi shellag I am a bee
brushing through the pollen
till some brushes off on me,
Tha mi ag' iarriadh, tha mi searreadh,/Ha mi geary ha mi sheary Iwant I seek
tha mi duloch, that mi sgi, / ha mi doolock ha mi ski I'm sorry I'm tired
till a little bit of Gaelic glitter
brushes off on me.
Sàilidh Eibheans
*wildcats are said to be threatened by interbreeding with house cats.
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