| Language | This volume contains 11 stories by 11 different authors, on a variety of subjects. A number of the stories are set in the Highlands and Islands, and might be said to discuss island life, e.g. as A’ Fear a Thainig air Tir, An Canna Cocoa, Faoileann and An t-Ogha. A number of the stories contain good examples of direct speech, such as Creic agus Ceannach, An Canna Cocoa, and Faoileann. Faoileann also contains some religious terminology. Creic agus Ceannach also contains some terminology relating to boats.
As the editor has allowed each author, to a large extent, the freedom to use his or her own orthography and to reflect their own spoken Gaelic in their stories, this volume contains a range of Gaelic including a variety of dialectalisms and orthographies.
Tormod Caimbeul’s story A’ Fear a Thainig air Tir (pp. 23-27) reflects Ness Gaelic, and contains the following terminology of interest: Thàinig e tarsuinn na lotaichean ann am bòtunnan agus oillisgean (p. 23), a’ norradaich os cionn leabhar (p. 23), a’ famhair (p. 23), thòisich e gnogail ’s ag uspairtich (p. 23), mór-chuimhne (p. 23), bonnach-flùr a’ losgadh air a’ ghreideal (p. 23), botul branndaidh (p. 23), trub (p. 23), chan eil rian air nach tug (p. 23), cròdhanan (p. 23), latha Sàbaid nan òrduighean (p. 23), chaidh e ’n àrda ’na shradagan (p. 23), Leabhar an Taisbeanaidh (p. 24), Gàidhlig man a th’againn fhìn (p. 24), fear de chlann-dhìolain (p. 24), deamhnaidh colach ri (p. 24), fuirich ort (p. 24), bha e air an allaban ann a Lunnainn (p. 24), bho chionn fhada ’n t-saoghail (p. 24), a chuile duine (p. 24), Daingead (p. 24), gu-ta (p. 24), Cha mholadh e latha dhuit mana moladh tu latha dhà (p. 24), sgèan a’ mhoncaidh, mar gum b’e taibhs’ a bh’unnad (p. 25), a’d (p. 25), Thòisich e lachanaich àrd a chinn (p. 25), gun chuir e boill ris (p. 25), gun leig e brùchd (p. 25), Là-ne mhàireach (p. 25), chùm sin a chridhe ris (p. 25), na rather than no (p. 25), Gu dearbha (p. 25), bha chuid mhór dhan a’ bheachd (p. 25), a nis (p. 25), dhaibh-péin (p. 25), agus h-abair òl (p. 25), Cha robh pinnt a’ seasamh pluc ris, a dhuine (p. 25), chunnd (p. 25), ochd-diag (p. 25), a’ stad air son mùn (p. 26), ás cochull a cridhe (p. 26), a còta-bàn ’s a gùn-oidhch (p. 26), ’s e ri ’g iarraidh a-steach (p. 26), mo chreach, an truaghag (p. 26), Dh’fhónaig (p. 26), ann a’ scularaidh ùr (p. 26), an troc (p. 26), a’ gabhail alla ris (p. 26), a’ brunndail leis fhéin (p. 27), a’ dibhearsain (p. 27), am bleigeart (p. 27), ann a sud (p. 27), stròc (p. 27), a’ gòmadaich (p. 27), feagal (p. 27), cà ’n deach (p. 27), gun dùrd (p. 27), and am beil (p. 27). It can be seen from the above examples that Caimbeul uses colach rather than coltach, a chuile rather than a h-uile, gu-ta, man and mana, dhan rather than den, am beil rather than a bheil, feagal rather than eagal, na rather than no, dhuit rather than dhut, sud rather than siud, and diag rather than deug. His use of Dh’fhónaig, deamhnaidh, trub are also of particular interest.
Fionnlagh MacLeòid’s story, An Cluaisean (pp. 63-39), also reflects Lewis Gaelic and includes the following interesting terminology: a’ cumhad (p. 63), a h-uile (p. 63), ionaigh (p. 63), cha robh gruaman sam bith air (p. 63), Cha do dhùisg an Cluaisean gu fhionnaraidh (p. 63), strùp na poit (p. 63), dha-rìreamh (p. 63), a’ là (p. 63), Cha deidheadh aig’ air (p. 64), ag oireareachd (p. 64), diurra-bhiod (p. 64), is iad rud-eigin ionnach (p. 64), ach an anach càil a b’ urrainn dhaibh a dheanamh (p. 65), ’ga thaosnadh ’s ’ga chinicneadh (p. 65), mur a tigeadh a shubhailcean thuige (p. 65), gun d’rinneadh graodhnachas ris (p. 65), na (p. 65), Leabhar Aithghearr nan ceist (p. 65), ’na trotan (p. 65), Latha-na-mhàireach (p. 66), a rotadh (p. 66), ás deidh na dìot (p. 66), gu robh i dualtach da rìreamh (p. 67), Abair gun chuir seo daoine air bhoil (p. 68), ann an sileacan (p. 69), and fo smàb na Beurla (p. 69). Perhaps of particular interest is his spelling of cumhad rather than coimhead, his use of ionaigh, ionnach and anach, his use of a h-uile in comparison with T. Caimbeul’s a chuile, and likewise Latha-na-mhàireach in comparison with T. Caimbeul’s Là-ne mhàireach, his use of na instead of no, and the final t in ceist.
Aonghas Dubh’s story, Faoileann reflects his Skye Gaelic and contains the following interesting terminology: a’ ghilead (p. 70), òganach is a rùn (p. 70), dùrdan a’ chuain (p. 70), peacadh is aindhiadhachd (p. 70), gnùis an Diabhaill (p. 70), a-measg truailleachd na linne so (p. 70), gràs Dhé (p. 70), fear dhe fhoirfich a bha riamh dìreach, ann a’ seirbhis an Athar (p. 71), le fìrinn a’ Chruthaidhear (p. 71), latha Bhreitheanais (p. 71), ma’n àm so ’n ath bhliadhna (p. 71), ’S ann dìolain a rugadh ise (p. 71), a’ bruidheann (p. 72), faoileann (p. 72), Robh sgeul air-san? (p. 72), Bheil a leis fhéin, eil fios (p. 72), ’n Donas fhéin (p. 73), a-mach (p. 73), ’ga gharadh fhéin ri teine (p. 73), gu robh i trom le leanabh (p. 74), bho uair gu uair (p. 74), an Diabhol fhein (p. 74), fhathasd (p. 74), a’ feall-fholach (p. 74), an dara ceist (p. 75), and a h-uile gleadhar (p. 76). Of particular interest is his use of bruidheann rather than bruidhinn, dara rather than darna, and the religious terminology that appears throughout the story.
Domhnall Iain MacDhùghaill’s story An Canna Cocoa (pp. 57-62) reflects his Barra Gaelic and contains the following terminology of note: nan suidhe air an treasd an tacsa cunntar nam bròg (p. 57), Gach latha seachduinn ( p. 57), air a’ bhata chrom (p. 57), a chuinnseas (p. 57), Ud, ud, ud (p. 57), Tha eitheamh a dh’fhad ann (p. 57), air an turus (p. 57), chaidh aige air an uimhir de mhóralachd a chur ’sa ghnìomh (p. 58), gun tàinig fiamh gàire air mo shliop ge b’oil leam (p. 58), Matà (p. 58), gu leòir (p. 58), sgialachdan (p. 58), Nach e ’n saoghal ’tha cruaidh air an dara duine (p. 58), Choisich e a-null gu’n chunntar eile (p. 58), sheachain sinn an t-ànradh sin (p. 59), ’inntinn fad air falbh an dùthaich ’an aimsir MhicChruimein (p. 59), Cha robh dùil sam bith agam ri dé bha ri tighinn (p. 59), A mhèirlich bhig (p. 60), ’S gann nach tug an saoghal boc as (p. 60), Cha tàinig diog as ar bial (p. 60), gu robh sìon ceàrr (p. 60), an dràsd (p. 60), aig a’ cheud bhuille de’n tràghadh (p. 60), a’ coiseachd air ais ’s air aghaidh (p. 60), ann an guth tachdte (p. 60), a’ sgogairseachd airson mathanas (p. 61), bha e air a dhalladh leis an daoraich (p. 62), and Bha Raoghall uamhasach deireannach (p. 62). Of particular interest is the final u in turus, the final i in gu leòir, the ia dipthong in sgialachdan and bial, the final d in dràsd, the use of dara instead of darna, the forms de’n and gu’n, and the use of the word sìon.
Gòrdan Donald’s story Creic agus Ceannach (p. 28-35) reflects Tiree Gaelic and includes the following interesting terminology: Geòla, na geòla and do’n gheòlaidh (p. 28), acuinnean (p. 28), Cùnnradh (p. 28), e-fhéin (p. 28), le sguinn de stàilinn (p. 28), bhuaithe sin, agus tacan math roimhe (p. 28), a’ grodadh aig ceann na tobhtaidh (p. 28), Tùthagan beaga snog de thaoin (P. 28), an sud ’s an seo (p. 28), sùgh no dhà de fhiodh (p. 28), Bha i deas aige (p. 28), mheantraich e mach leatha (p. 28), a-stigh (p. 29), an t-ainm fansaidh (p. 29), air farraid dha ciod a bha e dol a dheanamh (p. 29), a’ gabhail a’ chaothaich ’s ’ga chàineadh (p. 29), air eagal ’s gum b’ e an t-aigeal a’ cheud àite bheireadh i mach (p. 29), Cha ruig sibh a leas (p. 29), a chionn Dia riut (p. 29), a laochain (p. 29), bheat an t-Ileach an Deamhan (p. 29), siod (p. 29), Placaid (p. 29), cha robh Alasdair a’ brath creic fhaotainn (p. 29), ceart gu leòr (p. 29), cha robh aon duine a bha cho fad air ais (p. 29), an coltas (p. 29), gu h-ionnraic (p. 29), na poinich (p. 30), seachduinn (p. 30), Dé ur barail, a bhalachaibh? (p. 30), an dà fheocallan ud (p. 30), fhuair Alasdair leis (p. 30), a chòmhdhail a’ bhus (p. 30), Bha i air deireadh (p. 30), Fiachaidh (p. 31), aig ceann na grupag ud (p. 31), Bha e toileach culaidh-spuirt a dheanamh dhith (p. 31), cha ghabhadh e diar (p. 32), Tha e freagairt ort (p. 32), is dòcha leam-sa (p. 34), shuidh e làmh rithe (p. 34), theann a bhean ri trod (p. 34), Thalla, a sgleamair mhosaich gun tùr! Cha robh thu riamh ach a’ milleadh a h-uile ni! (p. 34), thòisich i air ròmhanaich (p. 34), gun deachaidh (p. 34), and Stad Mórag d’a trod (p. 35). Of particular interest is his use of the form do’n, his use of sud, seo, and also siod, his use of deas rather than deiseil, his use of acuinnean rather than acfhuinnean, the ia dipthong in diar, the forms a-stigh and e-fhéin, cha ruig rather than cha leig, and the final u in seachduinn.
Coinneach Fionnlasdan’s story Mary Kate (pp. 36-41) reflects his Applecross Gaelic and contains the following interesting terminology: Nach glan mi fhéin air an danns (p. 36), romh àm bracbhaist (p. 36), an sud (p. 36), an t-aodan ciatach, ruthach (p. 36), roimhe (p. 36), ochd bliadhna diag (p. 36), Gu dé an t-ainm a th’ort? (p. 36), thòisich i air dannsadh cho aotrom ri fras cluaran (p. 36), réir coltais (p. 37), Chuimhnich i dhomh (p. 37), dhe na ceàrdaidhnean (p. 37), Fiach dé ’s urrainn duit a dheanamh (p. 37), ré a’ gheamhraidh fhad ud (p. 37), na dean seo (p. 37), Ach coma co-dhiùbh (p. 37), cloc (p. 38), ach mo thruaighe! (p. 38), Di-h-Aoine (p. 39) and di-luain and Di-màirt (p. 40), Cha bhi cuid no gnothach agam ris (p. 39), and cuibhteas (p. 40). Of particular interest is his use of romh, sud and seo, Gu dé, his use of duit after urrainn, the bh in cuibhteas, and the form of Di-h-Aoine and Di-màirt.
Domhnall Iain MacAidh’s story Leum nan Sinnsearan (pp. 42-49) reflects his Bernera Gaelic and contains the following useful terminology: Shuidh i ’na curraban ris an luatha (p. 42), a’ criomadh chnàmhan (p. 42), a’ sgrìobadh seice le spor (p. 42), ’se fìor sheann ablach a bha air a’ chaillich (p. 42), Chualas plaids aig an ursainn (p. 42), cnapanach de dhuine stalcarra (p. 42), thòisich iad a’ feannadh leis an spor (p. 42), deamhan (p. 42), ge bith dé chuir ann e (p. 42), An tug e dad dhuit (p. 42), slòchdan (p. 42), romh (p. 43), nach fhalbhadh dha’n deòin (p. 44), naomh-thaighean (p. 44), dh’éirich e na shradagan (p. 45), bha e ’na òganach coltach (p. 45), slacan (p. 45), a-muigh ’s a-stigh (p. 45), aon mhiar (p. 45), a’ drunndail (p. 45), dha’n iodhal gréine (p. 45), Nuair a bha gach nì deas (p. 47), na sleaghan (p. 47), plian mór gàire air aodann (p. 48), Thuit i ’s chaidh car dhith, chuir e toinneamh ’na h-aobrainn (p. 48), ’na cruaidh leum (p. 48), am muir ag onfhadh (p. 48), ag altramas (p. 49), dréin a’ ghàire (p. 49). Of particular interest is his use of romh, ge bith, deas rather than deiseil, the form dhuit, and his use of the words, stalcarra, plaids, cnapanach, and plian.
Anna Chaimbeul’s story Ozymandias (pp. 15-22) contains the following interesting terminology: sud (p. 15), dhuit (p. 15), na sradagan air do shàilean: siogada seagada am fonn ’s a thog tacaidean do bhrògan (p. 15), gabhail cùram nach saltradh tu air lìon-dubh air a’ chabhsair (p. 15), cunntadh stuic na callaid (p. 15), corpaileir (p. 15), ghlaodh an sàirseant an àird a ghuth (p. 15), sios an guitear (p. 155), O thruaighein (p. 15), mun duirt i ’n còrr (p. 15), gom bi e mar leasan dhuit (p. 16), dh’an sgoile (p. 16), an dara té dhiubh (p. 16), dh’fhalbh iad air an turraman mar thunnagan (p. 16), co dhiubh no co dheth (p. 16), mar chailleachan seasga (p. 17), na duilleagan seargte (p. 17), dh’fhoighnich thu (p. 17), Cuidich leam! (p. 17), troimh ghloine-amhairc (p. 18), ’s tu ’n imcheist (p. 18), Chan eil e furasda leam idir (p. 18), an taobh a-stigh na h-ionnsramaide (p. 18), Gu dé bhiodh innte (p. 19), airson greiseige (p. 19), o’n bha thu ’nad dhroch chàs (p. 19), ceisd (p. 19), colbh-seòlaidh (p. 20), and mur’eil (p. 21). Of particular interest is her use of sud, gu dé, gom, and dara, the form of dhuit, dh’an, o’n, and mun duirt, and the final d in ceisd.
Pòl MacAonghais’s story Sin Mar a Tha (pp. 50-56) contains the following terminology of interest: Bha aonach eagalach air (p. 50), Chuir e mhuilcheann ri mhalaidh (p. 50), fasan (p. 50), bho chionn greis (p. 50), Bha e corra bhuille-ràmh bhuaithe (p. 50), do’n (p. 50), mo thogair (p. 50), an ceartuair (p. 50), Ach a dhiall (p. 50), cò aig tha brath (p. 50), ge ’r bith dé as coireach (p. 51), Gu dearbha (p. 51), cha bu ruith ach leum (p. 51), do Dhun-Eideann (p. 51), chan eil fhios am fhìn (p. 51), chual mi (p. 51), theid mi ’n urras (p. 51), gun duine cloinneadh air thuar a bhith aca (p. 51), oir bha toiseach lìonaidh ’san t-sròm (p. 51), troimh ’n uinneig-chinn ’san dol seachad (p. 51), gur robh bràisdeal math aig Oighrig air (p. 51), dh’fhiach e (p. 51), A shìorruidh (p. 51), sud (p. 51), an còmhnuidh (p. 51), ’s buidhe dhi, gu deimhinne (p. 51), ann a sheo (p. 51), Nach ann tric ann i, dé? (p. 51), co-dhiùbh bhiodh ann latha no oidhche (p. 52), air son (p. 52), mu’n tac-sa bhliadhna (p. 52), gu bith (p. 52), ’s tu air do lathadh a dhuine (p. 52), las e siogairet (p. 52), Bha dùil am (p. 52), do d’stamaig (p. 52), radha (p. 52), an ainm an àigh na bi sgalathartaich (p. 52), tha e cho math dhuit an leaba thoirt ort (p. 52), an tuar a th’ort (p. 53), uige (p. 53), An latha’rna mhàireach (p. 53), Fiach dhomh leth-cheud (p. 54), cha do thárr e dhol fada (p. 54), osbadal (p. 54), cha robh aithne aig’ air a’ chòrr (p. 55), a chaidh a thafann dha (p. 55), rinn e bloigh-leubhaidh air (p. 55), gu-ta (p. 55), Dh’éisd (p. 55), Stad thus’ ort, a Dhomhnaill (p. 55), cha ruig sinn a leas (p. 56), and prothaid (p. 56). Of particular interest is the use of an ceartuair, Gu dearbha, the forms of air son, radha, ge ’r bith, dhuit, uige, gu bhith, and gu-ta, the spelling of osbadal, leubhaidh, and An latha’rna mhàireach, and the words bràisdeal, and deimhinne.
The works of Iain Moireach and Eilidh Watt have been examined in detail in previous texts (Text 39 and Text 40). |
