Gàidhlig / English
Faclan Ghallach (2)

Faclan Ghallach (2)

Posted by Calum on 4th July 2019
Similarly to last week's blog, I found many words that were similar in other common Scottish Gaelic dialects today and others I found in books. (If you want to let us know of words you know and have heard and other words from "Fieldwork" and Dwelly that you know, we would be very greatful, because it is very interesting and hellpful to us!):
  • Bainne Lampan – In Caithness this means milk which becomes thick very quickly, but in MacKay country lampan means "curds".
  • Giollan – This is very similar to “Gille”, balach and Giollan in some of the dialects today.
  • Griogairean – Grioglachan, an Griaglachan, Grioglachan and Nighean Rìgh Mheangain are recorded in "Fieldwork". [It is interesting to note that the "l" is changed to "r", a feature that is common in Lewis Easter Ross and Easter Sutherland. Read "East Sutherland Gaelic: the dialect of the Brora, Golspie and Embo fishing communities" and "Saoghal Bhana-mharaiche" for further reference].
  • A’ mearachadh – I have read “a’ meilich” in "The Transactions of the Gaelic Society of Inverness: Vol... "Some Recorded Words and Meanings in the Gaelic of Badenoch" by "R. Barron. It means "starve, perish".
  • Neul – I've encountered neul in the phrase “Neul an acrais” and “Tha coltas neul air” in "Some Recorded Words and Meanings in the Gaelic of Badenoch" by "R. Barron.
  • Sopachan – Sopachan is not completely akin to the word “Fraings'” I read from Maureen Hammond, on the website Droitseach, about the Gaelic of Badenoch but it is interesting to note that they have the same device, even though the name is different. One would gather heather (in the case of the fraingse "Fraoch Fraingeach" (Cross-leaved Heath [Erica tetralix]) was used) in order to make a scraping-device for plates.
  • Sùstan – This is akin to "dusan", or "tùsan", that one says instead of “mìle” in some areas.
  • Ullag – I found this word in "Some Recorded Words and Meanings in the Gaelic of Badenoch" by "R. Barron, but it but it doesn't mean the same thing; In Caithness ullag means handful of raw oats, combined with milk or water. In Badenoch it means a mouthful of dry meal only.
 Do you know any of the words above? Do you know any other words, in your areas or have you heard any other different words? Let us know on facebook or twitter, and our own website!

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  • Steaphan

    a’ mearachadh
    air a mhearachadh leis an fhuachd

    Tha mi am beachd gu bheil seo co-ionann ri « air do mheileachadh » mar th’aca air ann an ceann a deas an Eilein Sgitheanaich.
    A’ ciallachadh gu bheil thu air do ragachadh leis an fhuachd, mar a tha « air do lathadh » leis an fhuachd, etc (benumbed with cold)

    2019-08-23 00:31:09