| Reference Number | 218004 |
| Title | Guth na Bliadhna |
| Author | N/A (Edited work) |
| Editor | N/A |
| Date Of Edition | 1907 |
| Date Of Language | early 20c |
| Date Of Language Ed | 1900-1949 |
| DateMacro | Early 20th c. |
| Date Of Language Notes | |
| Publisher | E. Mackay; A. MacLabhrainn |
| Place Published | Stirling; Glaschu |
| Volume | Vol. 4 of 4 |
| Location | National and academic libraries |
| Geographical Origins | Various |
| Geographical Origins Ed | Various |
| GeoMacro | Various |
| GeoX | |
| GeoY | |
| Geographical Origins Notes | |
| Register | Literature, Prose and Verse; Journalistic Prose |
| Register Ed | Literature, Prose and Verse |
| Genre | Literature and Information |
| Medium | Prose & Verse |
| Rating | TBC Non-fiction prose; journalism; politcal essays: Scottish nationalism; Catholicism; hymns and religious essays; historical essays; literary criticism; short stories; traditional tales; poetry and songs; innovative use of language; neologisms; early 20th century orthography; formal register, with some examples of colloquial language; some examples of dialect-specific language. |
| Alternative Author Name | N/A |
| Manuscript Or Edition | Ed. |
| Size And Condition | 23cm |
| Short Title | Guth na Bliadhna |
| Reference Details | |
| Number Of Pages | ii, 420 |
| Gaelic Text By | N/A |
| Illustrator | N/A |
| Social Context | Appearing between 1904 and 1925, Guth na Bliadhna was among the most important Gaelic periodicals in the first half of the 20th century. It was one of several publications edited and funded by Ruaraidh Erskine of Marr (Ruaraidh Arascain is Mhàirr, 1869-1960) (see also Text 217). The periodical was published quarterly and originally aimed to be a bilingual platform for the Gaelic renaissance, Scottish nationalism and Highland Catholicism. It contained journalism, political and historical essays, traditional and original stories, and poetry. From 1917, Guth na Bliadhna appeared in Gaelic only. There were also some poetry and articles in Irish Gaelic, including examples by well-known writers such as Douglas Hyde (An Craoibhín Aoibhinn), Patrick Dinneen, and Patrick Pearse — showing the periodical’s links to the Irish language movement. Ruaraidh Erskine himself was a frequent contributor of essays in Gaelic and English. Other significant writers of articles included Angus Henderson, I.N. MacLeòid (see Text 57), Donald Sinclair, and Malcolm MacFarlane (see Text 286); writers of fiction included Hector MacDougall (editor of Text 298) and John MacCormack (see Text 64 and Text 70); and poetry was contributed by Donald Sinclair, Donald MacCallum (see Text 280), T.D. MacDonald and James Thomson. Assessing Guth na Bliadhna, Donald John MacLeod pointed to two strengths in particular: its development of journalism and discussion of contemporary politics and its critical reviews of Gaelic literature. One of the main contributions of ‘Guth na Bliadhna’ to the development of Gaelic literature was its demonstration of the fact that all kinds of modern subjects could be discussed in Gaelic, or, if in English, from a recognisably Gaelic (or Celtic) viewpoint. It contained a large number of radical and well-informed discussions of subjects such as communism (1907), Belgian neutrality (1914), Bohemian nationalism (1915), the League of Nations (1919), and, on the home front, land reform and various aspects of the nationalist struggle. […] Probably the most important contribution of ‘Guth na Bliadhna’ to Gaelic writing was its publication of a large volume of constructive criticism, in English and Gaelic, of past and contemporary Gaelic literature. This was the first significant body of Gaelic literary criticism: in the absence of such criticism, it is very difficult for a language’s writers to achieve the degree of artistic self-consciousness that is required for the creation of a sophisticated, experimental literature (MacLeod 1969: 39-40). Guth na Bliadhna was experimental, modern and intellectual. By contrast, An Comunn Gaidhealach’s bilingual monthly magazine, An Deo-Gréine/An Gaidheal (1905-1967), published at the same time, was arguably more old-fashioned and eschewed political debate — especially the radical nationalism advocated in Erskine’s quarterly. Nonetheless, Guth na Bliadhna is unlikely to have ever had a large readership and ceased publication probably due to lack of support after around 20 years of existence in 1925 (ibid.: 41). |
| Contents | Guth na Bliadhna was published quarterly, beginning with ‘AN GEAMHRADH’, followed by ‘AN T-EARRACH’, ‘AN SAMHRADH’ and ‘AM FOGHAR’. Each ‘LEABHAR’ (volume) contains four quarterly ‘ÀIREAMHAN’ (issues). There were around 100 pages in each issue. The first four volumes appeared as follows: Leabhar I, 1904; Leabhar II, 1905; Leabhar III, 1906; Leabhar IV, 1907. The periodical was in print for 21 years from 1904 to 1925, concluding with ‘Leabhar 20, Uimhir 2 (AN T-EARRACH, 1925)’. In the beginning, both Gaelic and English were used in the periodical. From Leabhar I, Àireamh 1 (1904) to Leabhar III, Àireamh 3 (1906), there tended to be more English than Gaelic articles. For example, Leabhar I, Àireamh 1 had ten English items, five Gaelic items, and one song partly in Irish and English. There was also initially a division of genres between the two languages. English was used more for political commentary and editorials, whereas Gaelic was especially used for tales, songs, poetry and prayers. However, the language balance soon changed. From Leabhar IV, Àireamh 4 (1906), there were more Gaelic items than English. The type of things written in Gaelic also expanded: ‘The first two volumes (1904, 1905) [have] no political articles in Gaelic, but this was amended in Vol. III and, from this point on, the English and Gaelic sections were practically indistinguishable as to content’ (MacLeod 1969: 39). Finally, the periodical became Gaelic-only from 1917. As an example of the contents of the periodical, the following is from Leabhar IV, Àireamh 1 (AN GEAMHRADH, 1907): ‘SINN FEIN’ (pp. 1-13) by an anonymous author, a political and historical essay in Gaelic; ‘FORMER GAELIC MOVEMENTS’ (pp. 13-28) by R. E., an historical essay in English; ‘SUIDHEACHADH GAIDHEALACH AN HESSE’ (pp. 28-33) by T. G., a travel and historical article in Gaelic; ‘MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS AND THE EARL OF HUNTLY IN 1562’ (pp. 33-39) by J. H. POLLEN, S.J., an historical essay in English; ‘ORAIN GHÀIDHLIG’ (pp. 39-51) by J. N. M., an article in Gaelic on the stories behind popular songs; ‘IMPERIAL FEDERATION’ (pp. 51-58) by an anonymous writer, a political and current affairs article; ‘AN TINNE-AIR-DHITH[,] SGEUL’ (pp. 58-61) by R. A., a story in Gaelic; ‘HISTORY IN SCHOOLS’ (pp. 62-66), anon., a political and historical article; ‘A’ BHUIDHEANN SGEALPARRA’ (pp. 66-71), anon., a review in Gaelic of a religious work; ‘AT THE BACK OF THE WIND’ (pp. 72-86), anon., a long editorial and comment on current affairs in English; ‘CUID NAM FINEACHAN’ (pp. 86-89), anon., a political article in Gaelic; ‘AIR ÙRNAIGH’ (pp. 89-93), anon., an extract from a new religious book in Gaelic; ‘LITIR[,] BAGRADH NAN IAPACH DO NA STÀIDEAN AONAICHTE’ (pp. 94-96), by ‘AM B. A.’, a letter in Gaelic from San Francisco commenting on world politics. |
| Sources | |
| Language | Derick S. Thomson (2004) has claimed that Ruaraidh Erskine’s Gaelic publications ‘had a positive influence on Gaelic writers, and helped to lay the foundations for the resurgence in Gaelic writing (in fiction, poetry, and journalism) which was to come when he had retired from active work in this field’. The most innovative of those publications, Guth na Bliadhna contains a mix of genres and writing styles. Despite a strong interest in historical themes, the periodical sought to bring Gaelic into the 20th century and expand its terminology in new areas. One of the distinctive features of the publication was its radical political message articulated in strident, sometimes verbose, essays by Erskine and others. It has also been said that Erskine ‘restored to us “gentleman’s Gaelic”’ (quoted in MacDiarmid 1995 [1926]: 286), i.e. the capacity to deal with high culture in the language, using a higher register and technical vocabulary. Guth na Bliadhna, however, also contains some examples of less formal writing, as well as folk tales and songs. The following examples of terminology and phrases relating to politics and nationalism, are drawn from the essay, ‘SINN FEIN’ (Leabhar IV, Àireamh 1 (An Geamhradh, 1907), pp. 1-13), published without an author: saor o chur as do’n Aonadh a chaidh a dheanamh eadar Albainn is Sasunn anns a’ bhliadhna 1707 (p. 2), gach duine aig am bheil dreuchd no oifig Stàideil air bith (p. 4). It appears that brosnachadh is used to mean ‘manifesto’, e.g. Chaidh Brosnachadh ùr a chur a mach o chionn seachduin no dhà (p. 2). Similarly, buidheann may mean ‘party’ in the following context: Chaidh, uime sin, Buidheann Ur—Buidheann tur Albannach—a chur air bonn (p. 3). We also find a neologism, “luchd-stri neo-stritheil”, with a note: Is e sin sa Bheurla, Passive-Resisters (p. 7). There are some interesting terms related to self-determination and self-sufficiency, e.g.: is bochd nach robh sinn ni’s fèin-speiseil is ni’s neo-eisiomalaich anns na làithean a dh’aom (p. 10). Bogadh nan gad is used frequently to mean ‘advance’ or ‘make progress’; e.g. feumaidh nithe mòra a bhi air an deanamh as ar leth leosan a chaidh a chur a dh’ionnsuidh na Pàrlamaide gu bogadh nan gad (p. 13). An example of reportage on current affairs, mixed with political comment, is an essay on arms spending, ‘ARMACHD’ (Leabhar III, Àireamh 4 (Am Foghar, 1906)), pp. 328-338, by an unknown author. Here we find the folowing use of language: A rèir agus mar a thubhairt an teachdaire Frangach, tha an Fhraing a’ buileachadh air an armailt, agus air a cuid cabhlaichean suim ni’s lugha na 1,000,000,000 frs. gach bliadhna (p. 328); fioghairean, in the context, Is maith a dh’fhaodas sinn iognadh ghabhail as na fioghairean so (p. 330); and the use of an English proper noun: Chaidh an International Parliamentary Conference mu sgaoil (p. 330). Financial terminology includes Suim theachd a staigh, Cosdas bliadhnail, Fiach Dùthchasach’, Cosdas an Fhéicheimh (p. 329). A letter from San Francisco, ‘LITIR[,] BAGRADH NAN IAPACH DO NA STÀIDEAN AONAICHTE’ (Leabhar IV, Àireamh 1 (An Geamhradh, 1907)), pp. 94-96, by ‘AM B. A’, is another interesting comment on world events, specifically Japanese immigration to the USA. Teachd a nall is the term used to mean ‘immigration’, e.g. Anns an àth dheich bliadhna fichead, an tèid teachd a nall nan Iapach, ma leigear air adhart e, air thoiseach air sin o’n Roinn Eòrpa (p. 94). Dramatic language is employed to describe the potential number of immigrants: a leithid so de shruth-lionadh (p. 95). Saighdearan-tochlaidh is used to describe ‘pioneers’, e.g. cha tèid iad do na tìrean so far am feum iad a bhi ’nan saighdear-an-tochlaidh (p. 95). There are also many examples of placenames and demonyms rendered in Gaelic: sia Stàidean Shasainn Ur, York Nuadh [...] Carolina a Tuath (p. 94), eadhon am Belge no san Ollaint (p. 95), cha toigh leis na Californaich na Iapaich a tha air a’ chòrsa (p. 94). We find language use relating to historical themes in an essay on Mary Queen of Scots, ‘A’ BHAN-RIGH NEO-ÉIFEACHDACH I. A H-ARACH AGUS A NÀDUR’ (Leabhar IV, Àireamh 2 (An t-Earrach, 1907)), pp. 124-125, by ‘RUARAIDH MAC UILLEIM ARASCAIN IS MHÀIRR’. For example, B’ann air stéidhean a bha aig bonn a’ Chumhnaint eadar Albainn is an Fhraing a chaidh stiùradh air ionnsachadh follaiseach na Ban-Righ Màiri (p. 131), an eachdraidh ùtagaich na h-Alba (p. 124), Fhuair i fasgadh is àrach aig Cùirt an dàra Righ Eanruig (p. 125), Tha e air a chur as leth Riaghladair Ghuise gu’n do chuir i suarach na flàithean Albannach (p. 130). There are many examples of religious language, especially concerning Catholicism. In a review of English sermons by Father Bernard Vaughan — ‘A’ BHUIDHEANN SGEALPARRA’ (Leabhar IV, Àireamh 1 (An Geamhradh, 1907)), pp. 66-71, by an anonymous author, we find the following: Do Chomunn Iosa (p. 66), i.e. ‘the Jesuits’, ’nan cuid daingnichean sòghail, oidheirc, gidheadh làn aingidheachd (p. 67), peacannan is coireannan na Buidhne Sgealparra (p. 67), cha chuir sinn sinn féin an cunnart cronachaidh an t-Searmonaiche Naoimh (p. 70). The periodical also contains prayers and hymns such as a translation of the medieval Latin hymn Dies Irae by ‘Iain Mac Dhòmhnaill, Fear na Ceapach, nach maireann’ — ‘DIES IRAE (LÀ NA FEIRG)’ (Leabhar III, Àireamh 3 (An Samhradh, 1906), pp. 230-232). As an illustration of language used in fictional stories, the following extract of dialogue is from ‘LÀITHEAN BHLIADHNAICHEAN EILE’ (Leabhar I, Àireamh 4 (Am Foghar, 1904), pp. 398-407), by ‘GAIDHEAL’: “Sgliùrach!” thubhairt a mhaighdean ’sa h-aghaidh a ’g at. “Sgliùrach a dhuine!” “Maitheanas, mo ghràdh! Thubhairt mi facal mu faca mi sealladh air t-aghaidh. Bheir mi mo mhionnan air stàilinn nach robh sgliùrach riamh ’s an teaghlach o ’m bheil thu mach.” Agus thug an lasgaire seòlta dheth a bhoineid mar gu’m bitheadh e na sheasamh fa chomhair maighdean Fhrangach. (p. 402) The story contains various examples of (often insulting) terms for men, e.g. Cnuachdaire stalcanta (p. 399), an lasgaire (p. 402), a stallachdaire! (p. 403), a bhlaomastair (p. 403), am bladaire (p. 405) (possibly blabhdaire); as well as some terms for women, e.g. na gruagaich chuachach (p. 401), sgliùrach (p. 402), a’ mhaighdean (p. 402). Dialectic-specific language can be found in the periodical, representing dialects from throughout the Highlands. However, this tends to be more obvious in fictional dialogue, letters, etc. than in higher register essays. Some examples of dialectic-specific forms of common words can be found in the tale, ‘DITHIS BHRAITHREAN’ (Leabhar 1, Àireamh 2 (An t-Earrach, 1904), pp. 146-155), by ‘GILLEASBA’ MAC DHOMHNUIL ’IC EOBHAIN’: a feitheadh orre (p. 147), le tuille ’s choir (p. 148), Cha robh sian a stigh (p. 148), a leithid de ni a dhianadh (p. 148), tha mi a dianadh ime (p. 152), a gaireachdaich (p. 151), daonan a cordadh (p. 152), Dh’fhaighnaichd e ceist (p. 152), a chuir a sios (p. 153), innseadh do’n bhean-taighe (pp. 153-154). |
| Orthography | The orthography of Guth na Bliadhna is representative of the early 20th century period. The following examples are taken from a sample essay — ‘SINN FEIN’ (Leabhar IV, Àireamh 1 (An Geamhradh, 1907), pp. 1-13), published without an author but possibly written by Ruaraidh Erskine. Accents Accents are frequently absent where we would expect them: mir (p. 1), an luchd-gleidhidh (p. 1), mhi-fhortanaich (p. 1), air dhith (p. 1), Gu fior (p. 2), sgriobhadh (p. 3), sgireachd (p. 4). Capital letters are always without accents: na h-Iompaireachd (p. 1), na h-Eirinn (p. 3), Buidheann Ur (p. 3), nan Eireannach (p. 5). Acute accents are present: féin (p. 1), ri chéile (p. 2), éiridh-suas (p. 2), stéidhean (p. 4). Occasionally, accents are present probably by mistake: ar càinnt (p. 2), mu dhéireadh (p. 5). Apostrophes Apostrophes are found in prepositions and conjunctions: mar gu’m b’e (p. 1), do’n (p. 1), ni’s fhaide (p. 3), ri’m faicinn (p. 4), a’s sine (p. 4), o’n (p. 5). It is found in the negative form of the verb ‘to be’: nach ’eil (p. 2), chan ’eil (p. 5). They are also usually used with possessive phrases: ’nan làmhan féin (p. 3) — but nar làmhan féin (p. 3) — ’na ghinealach (p. 5). However, apostrophes are not found in phrases where agus is shortened, e.g. sa daingneachadh (p. 1), sa leasachadh (p. 2). Contractions There is an occasional loss of a’/ag in verbal nouns after vowels: a bhi ’cur (p. 3), Tha na daoine so creidsinn (p. 6). Similarly, there is a contraction where a verb ending with a vowel is followed by an article or preposition beginning with a vowel: tha’m Morair (p. 4), th’air (p. 5). Spelling patterns and forms Older spelling forms include: Thubhairt (p. 1), an Albainn (p. 2), sa bhitheas (p. 2), cànain (p. 2), an so (p. 3), mata (p. 3), a’ bhi (p. 4), a bhi (p. 5), Fo-sgriobhta (p. 4), os ceann (p. 4), cudthromach (p. 5), riu (p. 5), uathasan (p. 7). We find the following older spelling patterns: gh < dh — paipeir-naigheachd (p. 3), drùighteach (p. 5); o < a/ea — reuson (p. 5), coimhliontachd (p. 6); d < t — furasda (p. 4), an tiodal (p. 4), Stàideil (p. 2); u < a/ea — a’ sealltuinn air na Sasunnaich (p. 1), a’ leantuinn (p. 1), seachduin (p. 2), iomchuidh (p. 3), m’a thiomchuill (p. 3). There are also cases where prepositional possessive adjective are broken up: ANN ar n-àireamh (p. 1), an ar beachd (p. 2). Dialect and orthography Dialect is not clearly visible in this essay, however there some examples of spelling which could represent a dialect or, in fact, use a spelling form more common in earlier periods: A dh’aon fhocal (p. 5), air bith (p. 5), dhoibh (p. 8). Orthographic phases One important feature missing in the sample essay is the older dative plural –aibh, which is more common in the 19th century, e.g. anns na làithean a dh’aom (p. 4) instead of anns na làithibh a dh’aom, likewise anns na bliadhnaichean (p. 10), do na Gàidheil (p. 1), do na h-Eironnaich (p. 8). The essay uses the modern spelling a’ Ghàidhlig (p. 2) instead of older spellings such as Gàilig etc. We also find the use of the genitive following verbal nouns without the article — e.g. a’ deanamh stri mòire (p. 3) instead of a’ dèanamh strì mhòr — which begins to be seen as more conservative later in the 20th century. |
| Edition | First edition. |
| Other Sources | |
| Further Reading | Anon., ‘Ruaraidh Arascain agus Mhàirr’, Gairm (Àireamh 16, 1956), 367. MacBean, L. (ed.), The Celtic who’s who (Kirkcaldy, 1921: The Fifeshire Advertiser Limited), 38. MacDiarmid, Hugh; ed. by Alan Riach, ‘The Hon. Ruaraidh Erskine of Marr’ [1926], Contemporary Scottish Studies (Manchester, 1995: Carcanet etc.), 281-287. MacLeod, Donald John, Twentieth Century Gaelic literature: a description, comprising critical study and a comprehensive bibliography (University of Glasgow, 1969: Unpublished Phd thesis). MacLeod, Donald John, ‘Gaelic Prose’, Transactions of the Gaelic Society of Inverness, Vol. XLIX: 1974-6 (1976), 198-230. Thomson, Derick S., ed., The Companion to Gaelic Scotland (Glasgow, 1994: Gairm Publications). Thomson, Derick S., ‘Erskine, Stuart Richard [known as Ruaraidh Erskine of Mar] (1869-1960)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (Published online: 23 September 2004): https://doi.org/10.1093/ref:odnb/40311. |
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| Link Label | |
| Link | |
| Download File | 218004.pdf |
| NumWords | 70060 |
