A couple translating questions.

[InnkeeperX86]

OK, thanks, guys. I had no idea.

[InnkeeperX86]

Also, when I used Tuatha de Danann by accident, I was thinking of the French way to say “of,” which is “de,” having studied that language for six years. A faux pas on my part. : )

[Séril Báicéir]

Also be aware that Banshee or Bean Sidhe also has a negative connotation. It’s Gaeilge meaning is, yes, “Fairy Woman” but it’s English counterpart, “Banshee,” is usually said to mean a spirit or fairy that predicts the deaths of members of the same family and wails loudly before they die. The tradition of having a family banshee isn’t really negative as some aristocratic families claimed to have one or several of them and took their wailing to mean that the person who will die or has died was very noble and virtuous. It can go both ways. I know that here in the US, the banshee is often seen as a negative entity, though traditionally and historically people believe the banshee/bean sidhe to be a lesser version of Badb, the Goddess who is a member of the Mórrigiú/Mórrígan (was one of her many forms or faces). Badb is a Goddess of death and rebirth, sometimes appearing as a young beautiful maiden wearing white, but most often appearing as a haggardly old crone, and also recorded as being the “washer at the ford” such as the one mentioned in An Táin. But anyway… I could go on, but I think you get the idea 🙂

[InnkeeperX86]

Cool! I’ll keep that in mind, but I wouldn’t mind educating my fellow Americans a bit, in regards to the banshee that we know and fear (though I suppose the Gaelic version can be equally dangerous).

Quick question, would “na fola na Mór Ríona” be how you say “blood of the Great Queen” in Gaelic?

[InnkeeperX86]

Also, the word for “struggle” is “streachailt”? To say this with the nominative case and the definite article (I think, in English, the + noun, right? Not used to the idea of cases, even though I speak the language) is na streachailt?

[SpíosraCeilteach]

“Fuil na Banríon Móire,” is dócha?

Caveat Emptor.

[InnkeeperX86]

Much appreciated! : )

Also, on a different note, does anyone know any good swear words in Gaelic? I’m thinking exclamations, like “darn!”, “shit!”, “damn!” or “fuck!”

Edit: I found a couple. Can anyone verify if they are authentic?

Drochrath air! (Damn it!)

Is cuma sa diabhal liom. (I don’t care a damn.)
Dheamhan dada (Not a damn thing)

[SpíosraCeilteach]

I would wait for someone to verify my construction as I’m but a beginner.

[Lughaidh]

Fuil na Banríon Móire

Fuil na Banríona Móire
(the blood of the great queen)

[aonghus]

The curses you found are fine.

There are OLD Irish curses & insults here

http://sengoidelc.com/category/1/3

and a collection here (in a book)
http://www.litriocht.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=705

[Lughaidh]

But curses and swearwords aren’t exactly the same thing 🙂

As swearwords, I heard “cac”, “foc”, “mallacht Dé”… there aren’t as many swearwords in Irish as in English, though…

[aonghus]

Is fíor duit.

Tá eascainithe breátha ann, ach is beag úsáid a bhaintear astú!

“In ainm Chroim” mar shampla a bheadh agamsa.

[Séril Báicéir]

But curses and swearwords aren’t exactly the same thing

As swearwords, I heard “cac”, “foc”, “mallacht Dé”… there aren’t as many swearwords in Irish as in English, though…

I’d have to agree on that. In my readings I haven’t come across many singluar or pairs of words that would count as swear words really. It’s mostly been phrases or whole sentences that convey a similar meaning. It’s one of the things I actually admire about Gaeilge, that it uses such colorful, creative, and poetic language even for insults. 🙂

[InnkeeperX86]

To say “the black castle”, would it be: an caisleán dubh?

[aonghus]

Yes

[Author]

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