married. When they were married there were three champions there. They
asked him if he knew them. He said that he knew them; that it was they
gave him the gifts. There came a beautiful girl then. She asked him if he
knew her. He said he did not know.
“Well,” said she, “I was in the place of the nine-legged steed, and those
are my three brothers, and I am sister to them. We were all under spells
till your wife was married.”
I found the ford; they the stepping-stones. They were drowned, and I came
away.
[Illustration]
_THE PHONETIC TEXT._
When folk-lore is narrated by peasants in their own dialect, it seems
desirable, for various reasons, that the tales should be recorded in
that dialect, and not in some form of speech differing from it more or
less widely. This being conceded, the question arises, when one takes to
recording Irish folk-lore, how the object is to be attained. It needs
but a very small acquaintance with the ordinary Irish orthography to
perceive that, if it is adhered to, the object cannot be even aimed
at. The greatest defect in the English language is admitted to be its
extraordinary spelling. But in this respect it is completely outdone by
Irish Gaelic, which is troubled in an aggravated form with every evil
that afflicts English. Different sounds are written in the same way.
Identical sounds are written in different ways. Silent letters attain
to a tropical forestine luxuriance, through which the tongue of the
learner despairs of hewing a way. There are, moreover, cases in which
there is no indication in writing of single sounds, and even syllables,
which are actually pronounced; and there is at least one case of a word
being written as if it began with a vowel, while it really begins with a
consonant.
One of the chief reasons for this state of affairs is the attempt which
has been made to represent an exceedingly numerous and varied series
of sounds with a meagre alphabet of eighteen letters. The system of
orthography developed, though highly ingenious, has proved entirely
inadequate to its purpose. But if this be true of the so-called classical
speech of the few educated persons, whose original pronunciation has
been to some slight extent modified by the influence of books, far more
decidedly must it be affirmed of the actual peasant dialects which,
for two hundred years at least, have taken each of them its own way,
uncontrolled by any central influence. Of these the mere sounds cannot
be given at all on the basis of the common spelling. Here are two of the
simplest examples. The Donegal pronunciation of the word “tá” cannot be
written by any device known to Irish orthography; neither can the Kerry
pronunciation of “glean.” The strange spectacle is sometimes witnessed of
an attempt to give the actual sound of Irish words by means of a spelling
based on English values,—of Chaos applying for help to Confusion.
In addition to the reasons which might be urged generally in favour of
recording folk-lore in the dialect of the narrators, is one which is
largely peculiar to Irish tales. I will indicate it in the briefest
manner. Words are of frequent occurrence which are not to be found in the
dictionaries. If one of these words contains the sound of _v_ or _w_, you
cannot tell, if writing in the ordinary way, whether to use _b_ or _m_
aspirated. If by mistake you choose the wrong letter, you may afterwards
throw yourself or others entirely on a wrong scent. But if the actual _v_
or _w_ is written, you will not be responsible for misleading any one.
It is further to be observed that these stories constitute the only body
of matter having an intrinsic interest, which can be used as a vehicle
for placing some considerable specimens of the spoken language before
Continental and other students, who have little opportunity of gaining
acquaintance with it directly.
It is true that the difficulties in the way of accurately writing the
dialects are formidable. Not only, as already remarked, are the sounds
of Irish exceptionally numerous and subtle in any one dialect that may
be chosen, but the dialects are well-nigh innumerable. While certain
broad differences are characteristic of Kerry, Connaught, and Donegal
respectively, there are minor varieties in every district, shading off
in every possible combination into those of the surrounding districts.
The native of Ballymore does not speak as the inhabitant of Ballybeg,
only two miles away; and the native of Ballybeg probably has several
pronunciations, of which he will give you the benefit impartially.
This last statement must appear almost incredible, but its truth is
unquestionable. I have taxed the peasants with these variations, and they
have admitted them, only observing “that’s how the word’s said there,”
_i.e._, in that context.
The alphabet which now follows is the work of Mr. James Lecky, whose
untimely death was a severe blow to the study of modern Irish. In
addition to the list here given, Mr. Lecky had noted some additional
distinctions, the precise value of which I do not understand. I have
therefore not employed them in my own stories, and though I have included
one story written down by himself, I have been obliged to omit them.
THE ALPHABET.
PHONETIC SPELLING. ORDINARY SPELLING. ENGLISH.
a maq mac son
aa laa lá day
ai maih maith good
aai faainnje fáinne a ring
æ bæn bean a woman
ææ fæær feárr better
e lesj leis with
ee sjee sé he
eei eeisjg éisg of a fish
i min min meal
ï or ii sjï sí she
o qos cos foot
oo boo bó cow
ou qoul ca bh-fhuil where is?
oi oiărq adharc a horn
u muq muc a pig
uu tuu tú thou
ă, ĕ, ĭ, ŏ, ŭ, are obscure sounds of the ordinary short vowels, ă occurs
frequently, the others rarely. i final has the value of y in English
“city.”
b baan bán white
d madu madadh a dog
dj djæs deas pretty
dd meeădd-sjin meud-sin all that[18]
f fis fios knowledge
fj fjuu fiú worth
g (slender g) gæær geárr short
c (broad g) cas gas stalk
ç (broad asp.) mŏ çort mŏ ghort my field
h huc thug took
hj mŏ hjool mŏ sheól my sail
j mŏ jæærher[19] mŏ dhearbhráthair my brother
k (slender c) kool ceól music[20]
q (broad c) qos cos foot
x (q asp.) xirj chuir put[21]
l lee lé with
lj balje baile town
ll llonc long ship
llj lljæbwi leaba bed
m maq mac son
n noos nós custom
nj njïr nior neither
nn bonn bonn bottom
nnj qrinnju cruinniughadh assembly
p paaisjdje páisde child
r rud rud thing
rj erjĕ aire attention
rr }
rrj } see remarks
s saal sál heel
sj sjæn sean old
t taa tá is
tj tjïrj tír country
tt[22] hitt-sjee thuit-sjee he fell
v mŏ væn mŏ bhean my wife
w waru mharbh killed
) = a glide. (iota subscript) is the sign of nasality, mrææ̧.
[18] Sound hard, as English d.
[19] Donegal pronunciation.
[20] k asp. = hj.
[21] q asp. often = h.
[22] Sound hard.
The most important features in the foregoing are,—(1) the use of _j_,
which when initial has the German value, to mark slenderness, when
attached to another consonant; (2) the use of _c_ for broad _g_,
dictated partly by the necessity of economising the resources of the
Roman alphabet, and by the consideration that _c_, in most alphabets
of uncertain value, and therefore sometimes entirely discarded by
phoneticians, is thereby fixed and utilised; (3) the doubling of the
vowels, a practice known in old Irish, to indicate length. The accents
thus disappear, and, no dots to indicate aspiration being required, the
diacritics, whose number is such a frequent source of error, are almost
entirely got rid of, the only exception being ˘ the mark of obscurity,
which may be usually omitted without harm, as it never appears except on
an unstressed syllable. In the Connaught and Donegal dialects the stress
is thrown forward. There are a few exceptions, which are the following:
ănsjin, ănsjo, ănoxt, ămæsg, ălig (all), ămax, amwijh, estjæx, estih,
ăraan, anisj. All these have the stress on the last syllable, and the
final vowel is in every case not obscure. _rr_, written in a few cases,
is doubtful. _rrj_ corresponding to _llj_ and _nnj_ does not, I think,
occur on the coast of Connaught, and but rarely in Donegal. The _j_
is, however, really pronounced as a separate consonant along with the
following vowel. Thus, “Tïcerr-je.”
The Connaught values of the letters, specially those of Renvyle, are the
basis of the alphabet.
[Illustration]
_APPENDIX._
NĂ TJRÏ MRA̧A̧.
_Dialect of Renvyle, co. Galway._
Vi aan fær tjïăxt aa hoxrïdj, acăs qasu tjïaxt lee tïu tjæmpăll ee, qasu
doo ql)egăn dine. “S maih ĕ kært çom duurjtt sjee lesj heen, “ee sjin ă
huurjtj ljom acăs ă xirj ăn aatj haawaaljtji.” Hoog sjee lesj ăn ql)egăn
acăs lljæc sjee ’s ă tjæmpăll ee. Çluuăs sjee lesj erj ă vællăx ă walje,
acăs qasu doo fær ăn ourdu din uăsăl. “Kee ră tuu?” duurjtj ă din’ uăsal.
“Vï mee eg soxrïdj ăcăs qasu çom ql)egăn dinĕ er ă mællăx.” “Keerj dă
rinnje tuu lesj?” duurjtj ă din’ uăsăl. “Huc mee ljom ăcăs d’aac mee ’s ĕ
tjæmpăll ee.” “Njïr woor ditj?” duurjtj ă din’ uăsăl. “Kee ăn faa sjin?”
duurjtj ă fær. “Bwïĕn ee mă xl)egăn-sĕ” duurjtj ă din’ uăsăl, “ăcăs daa
nnjïĕntaa tædi æs bællăx lesj, ça sjuuraaltji veensjĕ suuăs læt.” “Acăs
kee ăn xï ăr xaalj tuu dŏ xl(egăn” duurjtj ă fær. “Njïrj xaalj mee xar ă
bih ee, ăx d’ aacă mee ins ăn aatj ă wuuerj tis’ ee, ça metts acăm keerd
ă jïĕnhaa lesj.” “Krjedjim çăr ă dină maih ’uu” duurjtj ă fær ăcăs maa
sjææ, b’æær ljom ăn aatj ă kïntjăxt hele naa ăn dŏ xooloodăr.” “Naa bïăx
fwatjïs ort. Njï wanj-hă misje læt. Veeăx foon orăm nïs muu lljæs jïĕnu
çwitj naa doxăr.” “Is maih ljom sjin” duurjtj ă fær. “Tjænŭitj ă waljĕ
ljomsĕ çă waamidj ĕ nnjïnjeerj.” Hjuul sjïăd innjeenjdji ĕ waljĕ. “Eirji
dă hï” duurjtj ă fær lee nă væn, ăcăs faa ăr nnjïneer ree duunnj. Dj’
eirji an væn, acăs fuurj sjï ăn djïneer ree doofj. Nuurj ă dj ihjidăr
ĕ nnjïneer “tjænuetj” duurjtj ă fær “çă nnjimreemidj qla)efĕ qaarti.”
Vï sjïĕd ăn tranhoonă sjin ’g imărjtj xaarti, acăs xodil sjee ăn ïhĕ
sjin ins ĕ tjæx. Acăs erj madjin laarnă waarjăx, dj ihădăr ĕ mrikfwastă
innjeenjdji. Nuurj ĕ vï çaa uurj qatji, “Tjænuitj ljomsĕ” duurjtj ă din’
uăsăl lesj a vær. “Kee ăn çræhă taa acăd dïumw?” duurjtj ĕ fær. “Çă veki
tu ăn aatj ă taa acăm ’s ă maljĕ.”
Dj eerji sjïĕd acăs hjuul sjïĕd innjeenjdji ça nnjæxă sjïăd că djï ăn
tjæmpăll. “Toog ăn tombw)ă” duurjtj ă din’ uăsăl. D’aardă sjee ăn tombwă
ăcăs fuuĕ sjïĕd isjtjax. “Tjeerji sjïs ăn sdoirje” duurjtj ă din’ uăsăl
lesj ă vær. Fuuădăr sjïs innjeendji ça nnjæxi sjïĕd ça djï ăn dorăs, ăcăs
hiscliu ee, ăcăs fuua sjïĕd isjtjæx ça djï ăn hjisjtjinăx. Vï berjtj
sjæn-vra̧a̧ nă sïu xosj ne tjinu. “Eeirji” duurjtj ă din’ uăsăl lee bæn
æqu acăs faa fwï rjeerj i nnjïneerj duunnj. “Dj’eerji sjï ăcăs huc sjï
lehi fati bĕăcă. Wil acăd çuunnj ça jïneerj ăx ă kinaal sjin?” duurjtj ă
din’ uăsăl: “Njïl” duurjtj ăn væn. “Mar wil qonnji ’uu heen ïĕd. Eeirji
hise” duurjtj sjee lesj ă daarnă bæn, acăs faa fwï rjeerj i nnjïneerj
duunnj.” Dj eeirji sjï ăcăs huc sji lehi min ăcăs qaanhïni lehi. “Nnjænăx
wil ăcăd duunnj ăx ĕ kinaal sjin?” “Nïl” duurjtj sjï. “Măr bwil qonnji
ee.” Fuue sjee suuăs ăn sdoirje ăcăs wuuel sjee ăn dorăs. Haanik ăn væn
vraa ămax ege fwï nă qolhi sjïdă ăcăs ee ooraaljtji aa voon ă qosje ça
djï molăx ĕ kïnnj. Dj ïră sjï keerd ă vï tæsdaal woi. Dj ïră sjee i
veetitt sjï djïneerj aal çoo heen ăcăs çăn strænsjeere. Duurjtt sjï çă
veetăx. Lljæc sjï djïneer ănuuĕs huqu vï veljuunjtj çă rï.
Acăs nuurj ă vï saa itji ăcăs oolti æqu, dj’ ïrhi ăn din’ uăsăl çănnj ær
ĕ rou ’s ege kee ăn reesuun lee r eed sjï i lljehedj çă jïneer huurjtj
doofj. “Nil is acăm” duurjtj ăn fær; ăcas maa sjee dă hel ee insjï çămw
ee. “Nuurj ă vï mee bĕoo, vï mee poosti tjrï huurje, ăcăs ăn hjeeăd væn
vï ăcam, nïrj huc sjï rjïu çăn woxt ăx fati bĕăcă, acăs qahă sjï hïăxt
suuăs hï heen orhu çă laa ’n vjrjehunisj. An daarnă bæn, nuurj ă dj ïrăx
ă dine boxt djeerjke orhi, nïr huc sjï rjïu doofj ăx min ăcas qaanhïni,
acăs nï veei sjï nïs fæær eki heen naa din e bihj hele ïres orhi ee
erjïsjtj, çă laa ’n vjrjehunisj. An tjrïwă bæn lee r ïr mee ’rhi ăn
djïneerj aalj fwï rjeerj, dj eeădd sjï sjin xălje hjinaal aa uus huurjtj
duunnj.” “Kee ăn faa lee r eedd sjï sjin huurjtj duunnj ăcăs naar eeăd an
verjtj el’ ee jïenu?” duurjtj ă faer. “Măr nnjïr spaaraal sjï rudă bihj
daa mĕăx eki rjïu er ă dine boxt, ăcăs beei ă kinaal sjin eki çă djï laa
’n vjrjehunisj. Tjænuitj ljom să” duurjtj ă din’ uăsăl lesj ă vær çă veki
tuu m’ aatju.
Vï tjïfwi acăs staabli ăcăs qoilltji tjimpăl ă hï, ăcăs lesj ă vïrinnjĕ
ă jïĕnu̧ vï sjee er in aatj bă djesjĕ henik mee lee mă çaa huul erjïu.
“Tjænuitj ljom sjtjæx insje” duurjtj ă din’ uăsăl lesj ă vær. Njï ră mee
wad esjtjihj nuurj ă haanik pïbwirje ăcăs dj insje sjee er sjinnim hjool:
njï ră sjee wad i sjinnim nuuirj i lljïĕnu̧ sjtjax ă tjax lee firj ăcăs
lee mra̧a̧. Daati sjïĕd erhu do̧u̧sa. Nuurj ă vï tamwăl çăn ïhje qatji
huuru ljom çel ă xolu. Di eerji mee acăs fuue mee ă xolu ăcăs nuuirj a
çuusji mee erj madjin nï ră ænhe erj in aatj er ă tjæx naa
[The MS. ends here, but there are evidently only two or three words
missing.]
AN ÇLAS CÆVLEN.
_Dialect of Achill Island, co. Mayo._
Xuui ă Cobaan Sïăr acăs ă maq sjerj in ă doun sjerj ec Balăr Beemănn cŏ
djaanu quuirtj. “Gerji ăn boohăr, ă vik,” ers ăn t-æherj.
Rjih ăn maq ămax rive ăn boohăr, acăs fillj ăn t-æher ă waljĕ ăn laa
sjin. An dæră laa xuui sjïăd erj sjuul, acăs duuertj a t-æher lesj a
waq a boohăr ă jïeru. Rjih sjee ămax rive an t-æher ăn dæra laa acăs
fillj ăn t-æher ă walje. “Kee sjkïăl çiv ă veeh pillju măr sjin?” ers
ă bæn Cobaain ooig. “Iărĕnn m’æher orram ăn boohăr iăru: rjih mee ămax
an boohăr rive acăs pillen sjee.” “Tesji tuu maarăx erj sjgeeăl næx
cuuăli sjee erjïu, acăs misje mani çit-sje næx pilli sjee.” Xuui sjeeăd
erj sjuul ăn tjrïwe laa, acăs hesji ăn Cobaan ooc sjgeeăl næx cooăli ăn
t-æher erjïu acăs njïr fill sjee nis mo̧o̧, co djæxi sjïăad in ă doun
herj.
“Nisj,” ers ăn væn lee Cobaan ooc, “nææ bï in ăn aatj erjïu næx mee nă
wra̧a̧ co moih çitj.”
Rjinn sjeeăd ănsjin ăn quuritj co Walăr Beemăn; acăs njï ră duul egĕ, ă
ligin erj æsj, fwatjïs cŏ njaanitt sjeeăd quuirtj cănj ær elĕ qoo moih
lesj ă quuirtj ă vï egĕ feen.
“Tæærnnjïv woofĕ nă stæfŏlj;” acăs vï duul ă xirj ă maasj ă maar ă
bildaalĕ. Vï qaljïn ă Walăr Beemănn ă col hæaert erj madjin fwï ’n vildal.
“A Cobaain ooig,” er sjisje, “xuui erj dŏ xrinaxt: sjïlĭm cur fusă
sjææxt qloxĕ xahu ănuăs naa ææn kinn ăwaain ă xirj co djï huu.” “Is fïr
çitj” ers ă Cobaan ooc. Hesji sjïăd ă ligin ănuăs nă hibrje. Nuuirj ă
xuuali Balăr Beemănn cŏ ra sjïăd ă xahu ănuăs nă hibrje, d’oordi sjee
ăn stæful erjïstj, cur ïsjle sjïăd nă tælŭv. “Nisj;” ers ăn sjæn Cobaan
sïăr “tææ qam in dŏ xidj ibrje; acăs ă meeu tjrï wall ornesj taa mo
jeei ’sa walje acăm, ă ducenn sjïăd qor ăn oiĕ ăn xirj, qam ăn oiĕ ăn
xam, acăs bæærtj ăn oiĕ nă cancĕdje, acăs njïr eeăn ær lee nă waail ææx
dŏ waq feen, jïăroonj ăn obirj acăs njï veeŭv ææn obirj ins a doun ă
qompeeraalje leehe. Jofi tuu,” er sjesjăn, “bæn eeăn la̧a̧v ăwaain ins ă
tjæx, acăs paasjdje lljæh-uuil; acăs qruuăx æruur ins ă dorăs.”
Xirj ăn t-æherj lesj llonc ănsjin, acăs xirj sjee næll co h-Eerje ee. Vï
sjee erj sjuul erjïu cŏ wuuirj sjee ămax ă tjæx: acăs hænik sjee stjæx in
ă tï.
Dj ïări sjee erj, a veeu ăn tjæx Cobaain ooig? Duuertj ăn væn co mwï ee.
“Duuertt sjee ljom cŏ rŏ bæn erj lljæh-la̧a̧v, acăs paasjdje lljæh-uuil
ins ă tjæx, acăs qruuăx æruur ins ă dorăs.” “Næx vekin tuu,” er sisjăn,
“næx wil acăm æx lljæh-la̧a̧v, acăs vekin tuu ăn proosjdje sjŏ erj la̧a̧v
ă paasjdje?—nïl is acăm kee ăn moomeedj xirji sjee ăn proosjdje in ă huul
acăs a mani sjee ăn tuul ĕs feen? acăs vekin tuu ăn xruuăx æruur amwihj
ins ă dorăs?”
Dj ïăr sjee ansjin nă tjrï wall. “Kee nă tjrï wall ïad?” er sjisjăn. “Taa
qor ăn oiĕ ăn xirj, qam in oiĕ ăn xæm, acăs bæærtj ăn oiĕ nă cancĕdje.”
Hig sjï ansjin nax ducett sjeeăd erj æsj ă xïe, mar djicett sjï nă
foqle-sjŏ.
“Taa nă tjrï wall ins ă xooră sjin hïs, ă ducenn sjïad, qor ăn oiĕ in
xirj, qam in oiĕ ăn xam, acăs bæærtj in oiĕ nă cancedje.” Xuuă sjï sjïs
acăs doscel sjï ăn xooră, acăs duuertt sjï lesj feen ă qromu sjïs co
tuunj ă xooră,—cŏ rŏ sji feen ĕnnjïsjăl. Xrom sjee sjïs, acăs anuuirj
fuuirj sjï qrom ee, xa sjï stjæx ins ă xoor’ ee, acăs çridj sjï ăn xooră
erj, acăs duuertt sjï lesj co wanitt sjee ansjin co djicu Cobaan ooc
acăs sjæn Cobaan ă walje, acăs luuăx ă sïhirj. Xor sjï qontăs ec Balăr
Beemăn co ro waq a _confinement_, eki co dj icu Cobaan ooc acăs sjæn
Cobaan a walje. Xor sjee lljoofwe llonc acăs xirj sjee a walj iăd feen
acăs ă paaiĕ; acăs lig sjisje maq Walăr Beemann erj æsj egesăn. Nuuirj ă
vï sjïăd ec imæxt ă walje, dj ïări Balăr Beemăn cŏ Cobaan, kee ăn gouĕ
jofitt sjee ă xirju ïărĕnaxă lee hï ăn xuuirtj. “Nïl eeăn gou’ in Eerinn
is fæær nææ Cavidjïn Coo.” Nuuirj ă hænik sjæn Cobaan ă walje duuĕrtt
sjee lee Cavidjïn Coo căn eeăn paai erj bih ă claqu wuui, erj ïărenaxă ă
jaanu con quuirtj, ææx ă çlas:—çaa curti fuuiĕ fïhje barillje co lïnitt
sjï lee bannjĕ nă fïhje barillje.
Sjkrïu ansjin Balăr Beemăn co djï an Cavidjïn Coo, co dooritt sjee çoo ăn
çlas, ææx ă ïĕrănaxa ă jaanu con quuirtj: ææx njï huc sjee ăn wuuĕrăx
çoo nuuirj ă xirj sjee egĕ ăn çlăs; acăs vïs egĕ co nnjimoott sjï wuuă,
nuuirj næx duc sjee çoo ăn wuuĕrăx.
Sjee ăn marăcu jaanitt Cavidjïn Coo ănsjin lee hole Cæsjkiăx ă hicu
ege;—æn çlas ærje acăs ă hoort egĕ slaan ă walje ă trænoona; jaanitt sjee
qlæve cŏ holĕ cæsjkiăx ă dj ærju ï. Dj ïsitt sjï feeŭr Qruuăxaan Qonăxtă
ăn laa, acăs d’ oolitt sjï djox ă Lax Eeăxirj ă Cuuicălu ă trænoona.
Hænig Kïăn waq Qaantje egĕ, cŏ waadd sjee qlave djaanti. Duuert sjee lesj
cŏ nnjaanu, ææx cur ă bee ă warăcu ă vee egĕ, co coihitt sjee ăn çlas
ærje ăn laa sjin. “Næ măr rŏ sjï læt ă walje acăm trænoona, qoihi tuu do
hjinn ă ligin sjïs erj anj ïnuur co mani mee an kinn jïĕt, lee do xlave
feen.”
Dj imi Kïan waq Qaantje acăs ruc sjee grjim robel orhi. Nuuirj ă hænik
sjee ă walje trænoonă, “Sjo ï, mwihj, ă çlas” er sjesjăn lee Cavidjïn
Cou. Vï Cæsjkiăx esti ins ă hjæærtă, Ridjirje ăn çaairje. Rjih sjee ămax,
acăs duuĕrtt sjee lee Kïan waq Qaantje, “tææ ’n cou ă xirj ăn ouĕrtj in
dŏ xlave, acăs măr rŏ grjim acăd erj njï bee buui imăru acăd.” Nuuirj ă
xuui Kïan waq Qaantje estjæx njï q)ivne sjee ăn çlas ă xirj estjæx. Dj
ïări Cavidjïn Cou çe “Kee wil ăn çlas?” “Sjo ï amwihj ec an doras ï.”
“Xirj estjæx ï” er sjesjăn. Nuuirj ă xuui sjee amax, vï sjï imi. “Lig
sjïs do hjinn erj ănj ïnuur, co mani mee ăn konn dïĕt.” “Tææ mee ïări
onoorj hjrï laa ort lee col ă hïări.” “Veerhi mee sjin ditj” er sjesjan.
Dj imi sjee lesj ansjin acas vï sjee lljænuintj ă lorăc co dænik sjee co
djï ăn ærige. Vï sjee sjïr acăs enjïăr erj ă traai, dææ tærentj ă cruuĕgĕ
daa xlæcenn lee buuĕrhe enjeei nă clasjĕ. Vï fær amwihj erj ăn ærige in
ă xorăx. Dj omirj sjee estjæx co djï ee, acas vï ăn fær sjin Mananaan
bwï maq ă Ljirj. Dj ïări sjee çe “Kee ă taa ort ennju?” Dj ini sjee çoo.
“Keeărd ă veerhaa con tjie d’ aaqu huu ins ăn aatj ă wil ăn çlas?” “Nïl
dædi acăm lee toortj çoo.” “Njïr iări mee ort ææx lljæh ă ncruui tuu co
djige tuu erj æsj.” “Veerhi mee sjin ditj” ers ă Kïăn waq Qaantje. “Bï
’s estjih ins ă xorăx.” Lee locen do huul, d’ aac sjee ee herj ă riaxtă
nă fuuăriaxt; njir brjïhu eeăn grjim erjïu erj ăn ilaan-sjŏ, ææx djih
sjïăd ă hole hoort bï fuuăr. Rjinn Kïăn waq Qaantje tjini, acăs hesji
sjæ brjïh ăn vï. Nuuirj ă xuăli Balăr Beemănn co rŏ lehidj onn, hooc
sjee estjæx na qookerje, acăs nă sjgeeăli, acăs ănj ær tjini ee. _Well_;
vï ææn ïen ăwaain ec Balăr Beemann acăs rjinnju taricerææxt cur bee ăn
maq eki ă warahu ăn t-æherj woor. Xoi sjee ănsjin in ă _confinement_ ï,
fwatjïs co ræhi anj ær dææ xooirj, acăs ee feen ă veeuv lee vïa eki; acăs
sjee ăn _companion_ eki, _dummy_ mra̧a̧. D’aac Mananaan buui co Kïan waq
Qaantje—clas erj bih ă luqett sjee la̧a̧u erj fwosceltj acăs dridj nă
jeei. Vï sjee c’ ouărq erj Balăr Beemann ă çol co djï ăn tjæx-sjo donnj
ïĕn lee bïa eki; acăs xuuă ’sjee feen nă jeei co djï ăn tjæx; acăs loc
sjæ la̧a̧u erj ăn clas, acăs doscĕl ăn dorăs; njï wuuirj sjee æx ăn vertj
wan onn. Rjinn sjee tjinni çoofwe. Vï sjee tjææxt onn erjïu, cur qasu
dinĕ qlanne orhi. Vï sjee col ec imææxt ansjin nuuirj ă rucu ă paasjdje.
Xuuă sjee cŏ djï ăn rjï acăs duuĕrtt sjee lesj cŏ coihitt sjee imæxt.
“Tige n imæhă?” er sjesjăn. “Taa, djeerji mælhoo çam oo hænik mee in ăn
ilaan-sjo. Qoihi mee imæxt.” “Kee an mælhu ee?” er sjesjan. “Qasu dine
xlanne orrăm.”
Vï bertj waq çoo erj ăn ilaan elĕ fjoolăm drïaxta. Hænik sjïăd ă waljĕ
erj xuuirtj ec ăn æherj. “Æherj” ers ă fær aqu, “xirji dŏ sjgeeăli, dŏ
qookerjĕ acăs d’ ær tjinu dŏ haai feric ort.” Vï Kïăn waq Qaantje c
eesjtjæxt çaa rææitj, xuuă sjee cŏ djï ăn ïĕn Walăr Beemann, acăs dj’ ini
sjee ăn sjgeeăl dih ă d’inisj ă drïhaar. “_Well!_” er sjisje, “taa sjee
ăn am acăd ă veeh c’imææxt anisj. Sjin ï, qruuăxt erj ă walle, buuărax ăn
clasje, acăs beei ăn çlas xoo luuă læt; acăs toor læt ăn paasjdje.” Dj
imi sjee acăs ănuuirj ă hænik sjee co djï ăn _spot_ ă xirj Mananaan ămax
ee vï Mananaan onn erj ă _spot_. “Bï estih ins a xoræx” ers ă Mananaan;
“acăs djaan djefirj, nææ baaihi Balăr Beemann sjinn maa hig lesj ee; ææx
is muu ăn drïăxtă taa acamsă naa ege,” ers ă Mananaan Bwï waq ă Ljirj.
Lljeem sjee estjæx ins ă xorăx acăs lljeem ăn çlas estjæx xoo lluuă lesj.
Lljæn Balăr Beemann ïăd, acăs hooc sjee ăn ærige in ă stirm, rive acăs
nă jeei: njï rjinn Mananaan ææx ă la̧a̧u ă hïnu amax acăs rjinn sjee ăn
ærige kuun. Lljæs Balăr ăn ærige rive, duul lee co nuuihitt sjee ïăd; ææx
xoih Mananaan amax qlox acăs xirj sjee es ăn ærige.
“Nisj, ă Hhjïan waq Qaantje, tææ tuu slaan, saawalti ins ă walje; acăs
keeărd ă verhis tuu ljom erj ă hon?”
“Njïl dædi acăm lee toortj ditj ææx ă paasjdje acăs nji rææhimwidj ă
djaanu çaa llje çe, ææx verhim çitj ĕlig ee.”
“Tææ mee bwïăx ditj: sjin ee ăn rud ă vï mee ïări. Njï veei eeăn cæsjkiăx
ins ă doun qoo maih lesj,” ers ă Mananaan.
Hooc sjee suuăs lee klæs luu acăs cæsjqu ee. Sjee ăn tænim ă waasjtje
Mananaan erj, ă Doll Daana. Vï sjee acăs Mananaan laa amwihj erj ăn
ærige, acăs hænik sjïăd _fleet_ Walăr Beemănn ă sjoolu.
Xirj Doll Daană faainnje, erj a huul, acăs hænik sjee ăn t-æher moor
erj ă _deck_, a spasjdooræxt. Njï rou ’s ege cur bee ee ăn t-æher moor.
Losjk sjee lesj _dart_ es ă fooqă acăs warĕ sjee ee. Vï ăn tærăcerææxt
_fulfil_-aaltji ănsjin.
BRJEEĂXT ĂN DOONJ.
_Dialect of Glencolumkille, co. Donegal._
Vi rjï ănsjin acăs njï roo egĕ æx ăn maq ăwaain. Vï sjee ’mwih ă sjelig.
Vï sjee col hæært nă relig. Vï kærher ins ă relig acăs qorp aqu. Vï feeăx
erj ă xorp. Xuui maq rjï estjæx. Dj’ esă sjee cŏdjee vï orhu. Ers ă fær
“Tææ feeăxă oinnjĕ erj ănj ’ær ă tææ maru. Nïl mee sææsta qorp ă xor,
cŏ nnjææli çææ waq tææ ănsjŏ cŏ nnjïŏli sjeeăd nă feeăxă.” “Nil sjinn
ææbŭlt ă nnjïŏl” ers ă fær aqu. “Tææ quuig font oimsă” ers ă maq ă rjï.
“Veerhi mee çïv ee erj ă qorp ă xor.” Huc sjee çooif na quuig font.
Qwirju ăn qorp. Dj ’imi maq ă rjï nă helig. Xuuă sjee ă walje trænoonă.
Madjin laar nă waarăx vï sjnææxt ann. Xuuă sjee ămax ă helig erj ă
tjrææxtă. Warĕ sjee prjeeăxaan duh. Hæs sjee nă hjonn acăs d’ ouĕr sjee
erj. Duur sjee n intjin heen nææx boositt sjee væn ă xïĕ æx ă væn ă meeu
ă kinn qoo duh lee kletj anj eein, noo qrækonn qoo gæl lesj ă tjrææxtă,
gruuie qoo djærăc lesj ăn il. Hæne sjee ă walje. Laarnă waarăx nuuirj
ă dj eerji sjee njï sjee heen acăs dj imi sjee lesj cŏ waadd sjee ăn
væn-sjo. Nuuirj ă vï sjee sjuul lesj tæmăl, qæsu buuăxoll ruuă doo. Væni
ă buuăxŏll doo. Dj esă sjee qææd ă vï sjee col. Dj inisj maq ă rjï doo
çŏ ră sjee col cŏ vekitt sjee ăn ouĕrq ăwaain erj ă væn sjin. “’S fæær
misj’ æsdoo” ers a buuăxol ruuă: “Codjee ăn tuu-ărăsdăl vees tuu ïări?”
“Lljæh ă sïræhæmwidj konn laa acăs blïĕn.” Hjuul ă vertj lljoofwĕ cŏ roo
’n træænoon’ ann. Ers ăn fær ruuă “tææ fær mwintjĕræx duusă nă xooni ’s
ă xillj-sjŏ hïs. Fan his’ ănsjŏ cŏ dj ige misje nïs.” Xuui ăn fær ruuă
sjïs cŏ tjæx ăn æhi. Vï ăn faahăx nă hïe erj qahirj ec ăn tjini. “Onkĕl
jïlisj” ers ăn fær ruuă “mar sjoo tææ tuu?” “Sjææ çine wintjerje jïlisj;
cŏdjee tææ tjææxt orrăm?”
Ers ăn fær ruuă “Rjï ăn Doon hirj woor-wantjrææt tjææxt nuuăs ănsjin lee
dŏ waruĕ. Coo ă walăx ă hileshuu.” (?) “Tææ tjææx ïĕrennj oim mwïh ănsjŏ.
Clasææl mee stjæx ann.” Clasææl sjee ăn fær estjæx. Xuuă sjee insjerj
ă woisjter. Huc sjee ă woisjter huuas cŏ tjæx ăn æhi. Rinn sjee roi ă
supæær. Xuuă sjeeăd ă llïĕ.
Sjee ăn jeemnæx vï ec ăn æhăx erj madjin “Woscel ïăd.” Xuui ă fær ruuă
insjerj. Dj esă sjee cŏdjee vï erj? “Tææ mee xooirj ă veeh reei lesj ăn
oqrăs. Lig ămax es sjo mee klisju.” (?) “Njï liki mee ’max huu” ers ă fær
ruuă co nj insji tuu duh qou’l ă qlooxă dorăxă.” “Sjin rud næx n’ insji
mee don ’ine cŏ brææ.” “_Well!_ maa’s fæær læt căn insje noo veeh ănsjin
co waa tuu baas.”
“Ol ă ră mee nïs fwidj ann, tææ sjee qroxt in ă lljeehidd-sjŏ _room_.”