[GAELIC-L] Poem translation

[Marion Gunn]

Fascinating question, James.

I'll have a go at answering it, but with the proviso that perhaps
OLD-IRISH-L experts would row in with more help.

<OLD-IRISH-***@LISTSERV.HEANET.IE> is a sister-list of
<GAEILGE-***@LISTSERV.HEANET.IE>, where you posted your question.


As to the language of this poem, it's not Old Irish, as such, only
older Irish or Classical, one might call it, or early Modern Irish, but
not Modern Irish in the sense that GAEILGE-B users might understand that
to mean Irish as we speak it today. With that caveat, here goes.

The first two lines are easy enough — in English, they'd go something
like this:

"I haven't found the likes of Aodh Finn
in any territory in Ireland I have searched"

The second two lines pose problems. I see a reference in the beginning
of line 3 to the judgment of Dallán (presumably Dallán Forguil),
probably indicating something hard to figure out, then the last line
indicates the poet would regard something or other as being "unlikely"
(that's what "andáigh" means).

So, over to <OLD-IRISH-***@LISTSERV.HEANET.IE> for some help with this,
please. Also cc:ing <GAELIC-***@LISTSERV.HEANET.IE> subscribers because it
seems a pity that the latter list is being currently used more for event
announcements than discussions, so maybe someone there would also have a
go at this and help.
mg



Scríobh 23 Jun 2013 16:49:33 +0100 James Brady via

"Ní fhuair aithghin Aodha Finn
a ccrích dar chuartaigh d'Éirinn
breath Dalláin í in gach ionadh
is andáigh í d'eilioghadh"

[Daithi]

Scríobh 23 Jun 2013 16:49:33 +0100 James Brady via

"Ní fhuair aithghin Aodha Finn
a ccrích dar chuartaigh d'Éirinn
breath Dalláin í in gach ionadh
is andáigh í d'eilioghadh"

Going at this sort of sideways, wouldn't it be as likely for 'Dallain' to refer to a blind person in the sense that justice is always referred to as being 'blind', so it could equally translate as 'the judgment of the blind one' (ie, 'blind justice') being inescapable?

Just a thought

Dáithí

[Marion Gunn]

Could well be, Dáithí (pace"urchar an daill" and all that, which hadn't
occurred to me).
mg

Post by Marion Gunn
Scríobh 23 Jun 2013 16:49:33 +0100 James Brady via

"Ní fhuair aithghin Aodha Finn
a ccrích dar chuartaigh d'Éirinn
breath Dalláin í in gach ionadh
is andáigh í d'eilioghadh"

Going at this sort of sideways, wouldn't it be as likely for 'Dallain'
to refer to a blind person in the sense that justice is always
referred to as being 'blind', so it could equally translate as 'the
judgment of the blind one' (ie, 'blind justice') being inescapable?
Just a thought
Dáithí