Gàidhlig / English
Sachdadh na Mara

Sachdadh na Mara

Posted by Kate on 10th December 2015.

Our phrase this week is sachdadh na mara, or the wheezing of the sea. It comes from the root word sac; meaning asthma. You may read on our blog about the different voices of a river, and you will see that the sea is just as talkative!

Perhaps you would hear crònan, the purring of the sea, or nuallan, the lowing (as of cattle) of the sea. Corghlaich na mara is a confused, noisy state on the sea. Perhaps in this state, you would see a glumaradh lapping against the hull of a boat. The word cireasail was used in Skye, and this denotes a choppy sea, and I particularly like the word cireasail which means “sniggering, giggling” or “a contemptuous laugh.” The word dùr-thuinn, or “obstinate waves” adds to this notion. Just think of a conversation between a rocking, struggling fishing boat and a moody, contemptuous sea.

If you find yourself by the coast, perhaps you would hear the ròcail of the waves as they lap in the mouth of a cave. This word also may be used to describe the rough noise deep in your throat when coughing. It can also be used to describe the croaking cry of an animal, such as that of a raven, as may be read in the Fieldwork Archive, from periodical entitled An Teachdaire Gaelach:

“The croaking of the whelks, the toads and the frogs - the shriek of the peacock, the numerous spiders climbing the walls … all the signs that rain is not far away.”

If you know of any other voices of the sea, do please get in touch with us on Facebook or Twitter.

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