Saturday 24 December 2011

A battle scene from "The Elene"

"The Elene" is an Old English poem, sometimes known as "Saint Helena Finds the True Cross." Written somewhere between the 8th and 10th centuries by the poet Cynewulf about whom little is know, including exactly when he lived. He is belived to have been from Mercia or Northumbria and wrote in that dialect. He was probably a monk or other religious figure. Four of his poems survive. "The Elene" is 1,321 lines long.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ridon ymb rofne, ðonne rand dynede,
camp wudu clynede, cyning ðreate for,
herge to hilde. Hrefen uppe gol,
wan ond wælfel. Werod wæs on tyhte.
Hleopon hornboran, hreopan frican,
mearh moldan træd.

Translation;

“They rode about the famous one; then the shield dinned,
the battle-tarp clanged, the king advanced with a troop,
a battalion to the battle. The raven yelled from above,
dark and greedy for carrion. The troop was on the march.
The horn-bearers ran, the heralds called out,
the horse trod the earth”

Thursday 1 December 2011

A Gospel in Sercquiais/Jerriais

The Channel Islands (Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, Herm, and Les Casquets) are actually closer to France than to England or Ireland but have been under British rule in the 13th century. Prior to this the islands were part of the Kingdom of Normandy and people there spoke various dialects of Norman-French. One of these that survive is Sercquiais, spoken on Sark by only a few dozen people, although is there is a great deal of mutual intelligibility between the various Channel tongues and French. The French refer to these tongues as "patois". Below is part of the gospel of St. Matthew;

Sercquiais version;
"L'chen qui sème s'n allit s'mai ; Et tàndis qu' i s'maitt une partie d' la s'menche quitt le long du ch'mìnn et l's oesiaux du ciel vìndrint et i la màndgirent. Une aûtre quitt dans d's endréts roquieurs, où alle n'avait pas fort de terre; et ou l'vist ossivite, parçe que la terre où al' 'tait n'était pas ben avant. Mais l'solé se l'vitt et ou fut brulaie; et coumme ou n'avait pas d'rachinnes, ou s'quitt. Une aûtre quitt dans d's épinnes, et l's épinnes vìndrent à craitre, et l'etoupidrent. Une aûtre enfin quitt dans d'bouanne terre, et ou portit du fritt; quiq' grâins rèndirent chent pour un, d'aûtres sessànte, et d'aûtres trente. L'chen qu'a d's oureilles pour ouit qu' il ouêt." (S. Makyu. Chap. XIII. 3-9)

English translation;
"A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop — a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. He who has ears, let him hear." Gospel of St Matthew, NIV)

Thursday 13 October 2011

Intro to The Speculum Vitae

Written in the middle to late 14th century possibly by William of Nassyngton, an obscure English poet about whom little is known. The poem is written in Late Middle English which is much closer to Modern English than the earlier works of Chaucer as English evolves into the next step in it's development as the language of Shakespeare. The title however is in Latin and translates as "Mirror of life".

a) Original;
In English tonge I schall you telle,
yif ye with me so longe wil dwelle.
No Latyn wil I speke no waste,
But Englisch, that men vse mast,
That can ech man vnderstonde,
That is born in Ingelande.
For that langage is most chewyd,
Os wel among lered as lewyd.
Latyn, as I trowe, can nane
But tho, that haueth it in scol tane.
And somme can frenssche and no Latyn,
That vsed hav cowrt and dwellen therein.
And somme can of Latyn a party,
That can of Frensche but febly.
And somme vnderstonde wel Englysch,
That can nother Laty nor Frankys.
Bothe lered and lewed, olde and yonge,
Alle vnderstonden english tonge.

Thursday 18 August 2011

John Audelay's warning to future book thieves

John Audelay was a priest and poet in the early 15th century who wrote approximately 68 religious poems and Christmas carols that have survived. Little else is known about him other than that he lived at Haughmond Abbey in Shropshire where he died sometime after 1426 reportedly at an advanced age and there is a reference to him living in London in 1417. His last written work was an introduction to a collection of poems warning future readers not to steal or deface his work.

a) Original version;
"No mon this book he take away,
Ne kutt owt no leef, y say for why;
For hyt is sacrilege, sirus, y ȝow say,
He beth accursed in the dede truly;
if ye wil have any copi,
Askus leeve and ye shul have,
To pray for hym specialy,
That hyt made our soules to save,
Jon the blynde Awdelay
The furst prest to the Lord Strange he was,
Of thys chauntre here in this place
That make thys bok by Goddus grace,
Deef, syk, blynd, as he lay,
Cujus anime propicietur Deus.

b) Modern translation;
"None must take this book away
Or cut out any page, I'll tell you why;
For it is sacrilege, sirs, I tell you
He will be accursed in the deed;
If you would have a copy
Ask leave, and you will have,
To pray especially for him
That made it [the book] to save your souls
John the blind Audelay;
He was the first priest to the Lord Strange
Of this chantry
That made this book by the grace of God
As he lay deaf, sick, and blind
On whose soul God have mercy.

Friday 5 August 2011

Caedmon's Hymn with Modern Translation

Written sometime between 657-680 a.d. by Caedmon, an Anglo-Saxon lay brother and herdsman living at Whitby Abbey who claimed the verses came to him in a dream. Upon presenting the full work the Abbot made him a full monk and he continued to write other works which have not been found. Little else is known of him including when he he lived or died, it is also not clear but he may have been sainted at some point. Considered a major work of Old English literature.

a) Original (using modern letters);

Nu scylun hergan
hefaenricaes uard,
metudæs maecti,
end his modgidanc,
uerc uuldurfadur
swe he uundra gihwaes,
eci dryctin
or astelidæ
he aerist scop.

aelda barnum
heben til hrofe,
haleg scepen.
tha middungeard
moncynnæs uard
eci dryctin
æfter tiadæ
firum foldu
frea allmectig

b) English translation;

Now [we] must honour
the guardian of heaven,
the might of the architect,
and his purpose,
the work of the father of glory[39]
— as he, the eternal lord,
established
the beginning of wonders.

He, the holy creator,
first created heaven as a roof
for the children of men.

Then the guardian of mankind
the eternal lord,
the Lord almighty
afterwards appointed
the middle earth,
the lands, for men.'

Tuesday 19 July 2011

The Venerable Bede's Death song

The Venerable St.Bede was the foremost scholar and religious thinker of the Anglo-Saxon era. Living from 672-735A.D. he wrote many works of history, religious works, translations, science and astrology as well as personal letters in Old English and Latin, many of which survive in whole or part. One of his English works was as short funeral prayer known as "The Death Song":

a) Original version (in modern letters and punctuation);

Fore ðæm nedfere nænig wiorðe
ðonc snottora ðon him ðearf siæ
to ymbhycgenne ær his hinionge
hwæt his gastæ godes oððe yfles
æfter deað dæge doemed wiorðe.

b) Modern Translation;

Facing that enforced journey, no man can be
More prudent than he has good call to be,
If he consider, before his going hence,
What for his spirit of good hap or of evil
After his day of death shall be determined.

Saturday 18 June 2011

A Bible verse in Jerriais

Jerriais is the language of Jersey, one of the Channel Islands. The Islands are closer to France than England and their languages are a dialect of Norman French;

Mais si not' bouonne nouvelle est muchie, oulle est muchie des cheins tchi sont pouor péthi. Pouor dé ieux l'dgieu d'chu monde a êgalué les cheins tchi n'craient pon, à seule fîn qu'i' n'appèrchèvent la lueu d'la bouonne nouvelle d'la glouaithe du Christ, tch'est l'portrait du Bouôn Dgieu. Ch'est en tchi jé n'prêchons pon d'nos-mêmes, j'prêchons qu'Jésû Christ est l'Seigneu et qu'nous j'sommes vos sèrvants par Jésû. Viyant qu'le Bouôn Dgieu dit, "Qu'la leunmiéthe lithe dé d'dans la nièrcheu," et a lit dans nos tchoeurs à seule fîn d'bailli la leunmiéthe d'la glouaithe dé Dgieu dans la fache dé Jésû Christ. (2 Corîntchiens, 4: 3-6)

But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 4: 3-6)

Sunday 5 June 2011

The sermon on the mount in Manx

Alternating between Manx with English translations;

1a). As fakin lheid ny earrooyn dy leih, hie eh seose er slieau: as tra v'eh er hoie sheese, haink e ynseydee huggey;

1b). And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:

2a). As hrog eh seose e choraa, as dynsee eh ad, gra,

2b). And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

3a). Bannit t'adsyn ta imlee ayns spyrryd: son lhieusyn reeriaght niau.

3b). Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4a). Bannit t'adsyn ta dobberan: son bee ad er nyn gherjaghey.

4b). Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

5a). Bannit t'adsyn ta meen surransagh: son bee yn thalloo oc ayns eiraght.

5b). Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

6a). Bannit t'adsyn ta accryssagh as paagh lurg yn ynrickys: son bee ad er nyn yannoo magh.

6b). Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

7a). Bannit ta'n vooinjer vyghinagh: son bee myghin er ny hoilshaghey daue.

7b). Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

8a). Bannit t'adsyn ta glen ayns cree: son ver ad Jee my-ner.

8b). Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

9a). Bannit t'adsyn ta tayrn sleih gys shee: son bee ad enmyssit nyn gloan dy Yee.

9b). Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

10a). Bannit t'adsyn ta surranse tranlaase er graih cairys: son lhieusyn reeriaght niau.

10b). Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11a). Bannit ta shiuish tra vees shiu oltooanit, as tranlaasit, as dy chooilley ghrogh-ghoo currit ass nyn lieh dy aggairagh er y choontey aym's.

11b). Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

12a). Gow-jee boggey, as bee-jee erskyn towse gennal: son s'mooar ta nyn leagh ayns niau: son shoh myr ren ad tranlaase er ny phadeyryn va rhymbiu.

12b). Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

13a). Shiuish sollan y thallooin: agh my ta'n sollan er choayl e vlass, kys hig e vree ayn reesht? cha vel ymmyd erbee sodjey ny chour, agh dy ve tilgit magh, as stampit fo cassyn deiney.

13b). Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

14a). Shiuish soilshey yn theihll Cha vod ard-valley ta soit er cronk ve follit.

14b). Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

Tuesday 3 May 2011

Some insults for that special someone.

Some choice insults in Gaelic, Irish, Shelta and Yola;

Gaelic seems to be particularly rich in insults as befits such a literate culture;

a) Fat/Obese/;
mèith (fat and greasy or oily)

meathas (fat and flabby or effeminate, now that's a good one, why don't we have a word for this?)

moirgean (a short fat person)

reamhar (fat, plump, fleshy)

sultach (flabby)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Stupid;

blaomastair ~ Stupid fellow, dolt, blockhead. 2 Blusterer, bully. 3(JM) One who talks in an irrelevant and pompous way. The general idea expressed by this word in the Western Isles is one suffering from a mental defect. (this is a great word, very evocative, looks like blowhard although the two words are not related)

blaomastaireachd ~ Stupid blundering. 2 Preposterous-ness. 3(JM) Boisterous talking, vain boasting.

briollanach ~ Stupid, boorish, ignorant.

eacartha ~ Stupid.

gleogair ~ Stupid, dull fellow. 2 Talkative fellow. 3 Arrogant fellow. 4 Lazy fellow. 5†† Sloth. 6(DMC) Trifler.

gleogaireachd ~ Stupid behaviour. 2 Idle talk. 3 Awkward gestures. 4.Sloth. 5 to be rroganct. 6. Talkativeness.

gleogamas ~ Stupid drowsy fellow.

glòbag ~ Stupid

gogair ~ Stupid fellow, fool.

sgleamhraidh ~ Stupid, senseless person. 2 Awkward, untidy fellow. 3 Mean or ignorant fellow. 4 Bumpkin

stuacach ~ Stupid, boorish, churlish, gruff.

toirchimeach ~ Stupid. 2 Benumbed.

dobht ~ Stupid man. 2 Partially demented man.

dota ~ Stupid fellow.

burracaid ~ Stupid or silly female.

burrait ~ Stupid. 2Beastly.

claonaire ~ Stupid fellow, used of a person whose wits are considered to be less sharp than the normal.

damhail ~ Stupid, boorish. 2 Of, or belonging to, oxen.

diomhothaigheach ~ Stupid, an idiot

spollachdair ~ Stupid person, blockhead.

amhlair ~ Dull, stupid or ignorant person. 2 Fool, idiot. 3** Changling. 4 Driveller. 5** Brutish man.

gamal ~ Fool, stupid person.

gleòman ~ Silly stupid fellow. 2 Sluggish man, drowsy person. 3.Dull person.

muirghineach ~ Dull, stupid.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Arrogant;

reimheach ~ Arrogant, proud, petulant, conceited.

toicheastalach ~ Arrogant, presuming, self-suffcient, arrogant, opinionated.

brodail ~ Proud, arrogant, conceited, forward. Tha e cho brodail ris a' mhac mhallachd, he it as proud as Lucifer.

baisealach ~ Proud, arrogant.

àrd-inntinneach ~ Haughty, arrogant, proud, vain. Na bi àrd-inntinneach, be not high-minded.

neo-ìogarra ~ Haughty, arrogant. Gu neo-ìogarra, haughtily.

tòstalach ~ Presumptuous, arrogant.

diomasach ~ Proud, arrogant, bold, haughty, defying. 2** Disrespectful.

barpail ~ Arrogant.

uaibhreach ~ Proud, haughty, arrogant person.

ràideachas ~ Boastful speech, arrogant language, arrogance, pride. 2 Saying. 3 Report. 4 Trial of skill.

sraonaiseach ~ Huffish, snuffy. 2 Arrogant. 3 Querulous, petulant.

ceannardach ~ pushy, arrogant, proud, imperious, dictatorial. 2 Confident, dogmatical

ràiteachail -e, a. Boasting, vainglorious, arrogant. Daoine ràiteachail, boasters.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Liar;

breugaire ~ Liar, (it's resemblance to beggar is interesting)

sabhdair ~ A foolish braggart

brionach ~ Liar

tul-bhreugadair -ean, sm Impudent liar.

tlusach ~ Dissembler, liar.

feallair ~ Deceiver, traitor. 2 Liar.

bradag ~ Thievish woman.

fallsaire ~ Sophist, false philosopher. 2.Falsifier. 3** Liar, deceiver, traitor. (obvious resemblance to false can not be a coincidence)

truthair ~ Traitor, villain. 2 Filthy fellow. 3 Prevaricator, liar, deluder, knave. 4 (* truthaire) Bankrupt.

breugach ~ Lying, false, deceitful. 2. Flattering, cajoling, soothing. 3.Deceived. Is breugach thu an-diugh, you are deceiving today; tha e cho breugach 's a tha an cat cho bradach, he is as much a liar as the cat is a thief [an emphatic way of saying a man is a liar]; "tha e breugach" / he is untruthful; N"ach breugach thu! / how much you lie!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ugly;

uspair ~ Ugly or lumpish fellow.

iol-ghràineach ~ Very ugly, horrid, causing disgust.

aidheitighe ~ Very ugly.

fiamh a Ugly, disgusting, horrible.

grath a. Fearful, ugly.

leòbasach ~ Having an ugly mouth or hanging lips.

buaf ~ Any ugly venomous creature.

sgràideanach ~ Diminutive and ugly. 2 Shabby. 3 Having an ugly diminutive person. 4.Puny.

sgraidht ~ Shrivelled and ugly old woman.

sgràideach ~ Shrivelled and ugly.

striamalach ~ Anything long and ugly. 2 Tall, ugly person. 3†† Long trailing appendage.

droch-ghnùiseach ~ Ill-favoured, ugly.

mì-eireachdail ~ Unhandsome, unseemly, ugly. Giùlan mì-eireachdail, unseemly conduct; gu mì-eireachdail, ungenteely.

crainn ~ Ugly old woman

duaichnidh ~ Deformed, disfigured. 2.Ugly 3.Gloomy, horrible, dismal, black. 4 Ghastly, death-like. 5.More or most ugly

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Worthless/useless/good-for-nothing;

ain-fhiùghach ~ a Worthless. 2 Insignificant, contemptible.

ceacharran ~ Worthless, pusillanimous person.

cosmaileach ~ Worthless.

mì-fhiù ~ Worthless, useless.

prabair ~ Worthless fellow, good-for-nothing

priobair ~ Worthless fellow, blinkard. 2 Miser.

suarachan ~ Worthless person.

truileach ~ Worthless person.

truille ~ Worthless, dirty person.

fudaidh ~ Useless

ruinnseach ~ Base or worthless woman

dreoll ~ Paltry, worthless fellow. 2 see dreall.

pliobair ~ A Flunkey, worthless fellow.

cuiliosal ~ a Vile, worthless, useless person.

gàirsgeal ~ Rabble, band of worthless persons.

leibideach ~ Trifling, mean, worthless, contemptible. 2 Accidental. 3 Awkward. 4 Avaricious. 5 Tawdry. 6 Annoying, vexatious.

feall-duine ~ Worthless man. 2 Deceiver, traitor.

mosach ~ Nasty. 2 Filthy. 3 Worthless. 4 Insignificant. 5 Sordid, mean, avaricious, niggardly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hateful/vindictive/petty/childish;

fuath-thoilltinneach ~ Hateful, abominable, deserving of hatred.

fuathach ~ Hateful, abhorrent 2 demoniacal.

fuathmhor ~ Hateful, disagreeable. 2 Terrific. 3 Horrible. 4 Hating, disliking. 5** Spectral. 6** Unclean. Gach eun fuathmhor, every unclean bird.

gràineil ~ Abominable, hateful, loathsome, odious, disagreeable, detestable, abject. 2 Nasty. Nach gràineile an duine? is not man more abominable?

doinidh ~ a Loathsome, contemptible, hateful - Sàr-Obair.

naoidheanta ~ Childish, child-like infantile.

pàisteanach ~ Childish. puerile

draingeis ~ Snarling, carping. 2. Childish bickering.

troileis ~ Any trifling thing. 2. Childish merriment


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In Irish;

Fat/obese;

ramhar ~ fat or obese person

lodartha ~ flabby (somewhat resembles "lard" but the two words are probably not related)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Stupid/idiot;

bómánta ~ stupid

amadán ~ Idiot (man)

óinseach ~ Idiot (woman)

díomhaoin ~ useless

beagmhaitheasach ~ worthless

neamhfhiúntach ~ worthless

Scraiste, duine gan mhaith ~ a worthless person

Ní fiú a bheith leis ~ it is worthless talking to him

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Arrogant;

díomasach ~ arrogant

sotalach ~ arrogant

duine ardnósach ~ snob

mórluachach ~ snob

bogásach ~ smug

béalchráifeach ~ sanctimonious/holier than thou

uallach ~ conceited

giodalach ~ vain

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Liar;

bréagadóir ~ liar (I wonder if there is a connection with "braggart")

calaois ~ fraud

camastaíl ~ fraud

cealg ~ deceit / fraud

calaoiseach ~ lies

fealltach ~ fraud

mealltach ~ deception

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ugly;

gránna ~ ugly

míofar ~ ugly

gráiciúil ~ ugly

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Evil;

olc ~ Evil (adj)(the first two here are interesting, I wonder if Tolkien, who did study Gaelic, based his Orks on these. The resemblance to Ogre is also obvious)

olcas ~ (pl)

droch ~

diabhalta(adj) ~ devilish or diabolic or demonic

diabhlaíocht(n) ~ devilment

D'imigh an diabhal air! ~ He's a real devil!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In Shelta (The Lied of The Irish Travelers);

Nyaak / Nyaakish ~ dishonest, crooked

mugathath ~ stupidity

mong ~ fool

mugathawn ~ idiot

sramaler ~ thief

sumoal ~ crook

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In Yola;

Stupid/idiot;

Clouk ~ An idiot

Dhonal ~ A dunce

Stouck ~ An idiot, a blockhead

Mope ~ A fool

Gomp ~ a moron

Houghany ~ stupid

Kimleare ~ A bummbler

Goodee-hang ~ Good-for-nothing

Falsakeen ~ A liar ( the relationship to "false" is obvious)

Shaaumeless ~ shameless

Trameal ~ sloth

Stuggoone ~ good-for-nothing

Llean ~ evil

Vaapereet ~ A braggart (another good word)

Villent ~ a crook (taken from villain)


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In Cromarty Scots;

Ablach ~ Akward or ungainly

Amitan ~ A fool or idiot

Belligut ~ A glutton or greedy person

Blether-Bus ~ A chatterbox, a person who talks with endless, inane chatter (from the Scots "Blather-Skite")

Boshach-Skeyter ~ Hideously ugly, deformed

Bubba ~ The Devi

l Guloot ~ An oaf or moron (from the Scots/Irish term "Galloot")

Haffleen ~ Half-Wit

Lummer ~ A naughty girl, a tramp

Lupikin ~ A rascal or scoundrel

Skilbygelk ~ A worthless good-for-nothing bum

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`

Note; If you're so vain you think these are about you; then they are.

Wednesday 13 April 2011

A Bible verse in Jerriais

Jerriais is of the languages of Jersey, one of the Channel Islands. The Islands are closer to France than England and their languages are a dialect of Norman French;

Mais si not' bouonne nouvelle est muchie, oulle est muchie des cheins tchi sont pouor péthi. Pouor dé ieux l'dgieu d'chu monde a êgalué les cheins tchi n'craient pon, à seule fîn qu'i' n'appèrchèvent la lueu d'la bouonne nouvelle d'la glouaithe du Christ, tch'est l'portrait du Bouôn Dgieu. Ch'est en tchi jé n'prêchons pon d'nos-mêmes, j'prêchons qu'Jésû Christ est l'Seigneu et qu'nous j'sommes vos sèrvants par Jésû. Viyant qu'le Bouôn Dgieu dit, "Qu'la leunmiéthe lithe dé d'dans la nièrcheu," et a lit dans nos tchoeurs à seule fîn d'bailli la leunmiéthe d'la glouaithe dé Dgieu dans la fache dé Jésû Christ. (2 Corîntchiens, 4: 3-6)

But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 4: 3-6)

Thursday 31 March 2011

Some Gaelic and Welsh election terms

In time for the Canadian Elections;

Queen Elizabeth;
Welsh ~ Elisabeth II, Brenhines y Deyrnas Unedig
Cornish ~ Elisabeth II a Bow Sows
Gaelic ~ Ban-rìgh Ealasaid II (although some diehards insist on calling her Ealasaid I for historical reasons, since Ealasaid I was Queen of England, Ireland and Wales but not Scotland)
Irish ~ Eilís II na Ríochta Aontaithe

Governor General;
Gaelic ~ Mór-Uachdaran
Irish ~ Seanascal

Prime Minister;
Welsh ~ Prif Weinidog (Any resemblance to "Wiener Dog" is a total coincidence)
Cornish ~ Pennmenyster
Gaelic ~ Prìomhairean
Irish ~ Príomh-Aire (or Taoiseach)

Member of Parliament;
Welsh ~ Aelod Seneddol
Gaelic ~ Buill-Pàrlamaid
Irish ~ Teachta Dála
Scots ~ Commissioners tae the Pairlament

Conservative Party;
Welsh ~ Y Blaid Geidwadol
Cornish ~ Parti Gwithadorek
Gaelic ~ An Páirtí Coimeádach
Irish ~ Pháirtí Choimeádaigh

Liberal Party;
Welsh ~ Plaid Ryddfrydol
Cornish ~ Parti Livrel
Gaelic ~ An Pairti Libearalach
Irish ~ Páirtí Liobrálach
Scots ~ Leiberal Pairty

New Democratic Party;
Welsh ~ Plaid Newydd Democratiaid
Gaelic ~ Pàrtaidh Uire Deamocratach
Irish ~ Pháirtí Nua Daonlathach

Green Party;
Welsh ~ Plaid Werdd
Gaelic ~ Pàrtaidh Uaine
Irish ~ Comhaontas Glas
Scots ~ Green Pairty

Communists:
Welsh ~ Comiwnyddiaeth
Gaelic ~ Comunnachas
Irish ~ Cumannachas

Tuesday 29 March 2011

"Thirty days hath September" in the original

The poem (or prose actually) Thirty Days Hath September has long been used to teach school kids the number of days in each month. It is actually a quite old poem of unknown English origin, with the oldest version known dating to the 15th century and written in Late Middle English.

a) Original;
"Thirtey days hath November,
Aprile, June, and September:
Of twyecescore-eightt is but eine,
And all the remnante be thrycescore-eine.
O´course Leap yare comes an´pynes,
Ev'rie foure yares, gote it ryghth.
An´twyecescore-eight is but twyecescore-nyne"

b) Translation;
"Thirty days has November,
April, June, and September:
Of twenty-eight is but one,
And all the remnant is thirty-one.
Of course Leap year comes and stays,
Every four years got it right,
And twenty-eight is but twenty-nine".

c) Modern Jèrriais (spoken on the Island of Jersey) version sent in by a viewer:

"I' y a trente jours en Septembre,
En Avri, Juîn et Novembre.
Les aut's mais sont fanmeux pour
Lus trente' tch'ieunième jour,
Mais l'pouôrre Févri
N'en a qu' vîngt-huit,
Et un vîngt-neuvième pouor les fil'yes
Pouor s'engagi ès années bissextiles!"

Sunday 20 March 2011

A folk song in Yola

Yola was a Middle English language spoken mainly in the Wexford area of Western Ireland starting from the settlement of some English knights, monks and farmers there in 1169. The Wexford area was rural and isolated from the mainstream English court and literary society as well as being surrounded by Irish speakers so the variety of Middle English did not change much after the literary influences of Chaucer and Tyndall in the late 14th century other than adopting various Irish words. The name "Yola" translates as "Old" ie; "The Old Tongue". With a relatively limited population base Yola died out in the late 19th century, forced out by the process if emigration, poverty, lack of jobs, compulsory education with greater literacy in English or Irish as well as hostility from both English and Irish society. Luckily an extensive historical surveys was done before it died out. Reportedly it was spoken with a distinctive slurring pronouncation.

Two examples below with translations;

1.a)"A Yola Song" (in Yola)

"Fade teil thee zo lournagh, co Joane, zo knaggee?
Th' weithest all curcagh, wafur, an cornee.
Lidge w'ouse an a milagh, tis gaay an louthee:
Huck nigher; y'art scuddeen; fartoo zo hachee?

Well, gosp, c'hull be zeid; mot thee fartoo, an fade;
Ha deight ouse var gabble, tell ee zin go t'glade.
Ch'am a stouk, an a donel; wou'll leigh out ee dey.
Th' valler w'speen here, th' lass ee chourch-hey.

Yerstey w'had a baree, gist ing oor hoane,
Aar gentrize ware bibbern, aamzil cou no stoane.
Yith Muzleare had ba hole, t'was mee Tommeen,
At by mizluck was ee-pit t'drive in.

Joud an moud vrem earchee ete was ee Lough.
Zitch vaperreen, an shimmereen, fan ee-daf ee aar scoth!
Zitch blakeen, an blayeen, fan ee ball was ee-drowe!
Chote well aar aim was t'yie ouz n'eer a blowe.

Mot w'all aar boust, hi soon was ee-teight
At aar errone was var ameing 'ar 'ngish ee-height.
Zitch vezzeen, tarvizzeen, 'tell than w'ne'er zey.
Nore zichel ne'er well, nowe, nore ne'er mey."


b) "An Old Song" (translated)

"What ails you so melancholy, quoth John, so cross?
You seem all snappish, uneasy, and fretful.
Lie with us on the clover, 'tis fair and sheltered:
Come nearer; you're rubbing your back; why so ill tempered?

Well, gossip, it shall be told; you ask me what ails me, and for what;
You have put us in talk, till the sun goes to set.
I am a fool and a dunce; we'll idle out the day.
The more we spend here, the less in the churchyard.

Yesterday we had a goal just in our hand.
Their gentry were quaking, themselves could not stand.
If Good-for-little had been buried, it had been my Tommy,
Who by misluck was placed to drive in.

Throngs and crowds from each quarter were at the Lough;
Such vapouring and glittering when stript in their shirts!
Such bawling and shouting, when the ball was thrown!
I saw their intent was to give us ne'er a stroke.

But with all their bravado they were soon taught
That their errand was aiming to bring anguish upon them
Such driving, and struggling, 'till then we ne'er saw
Nor such never will, no, nor never may."


2.a) "The Weddeen of Ballymore" (a verse in Yola)
"A maide vrem a Bearlough,
Aneure vrem ee Barke,
Eshoethet own anoree
Nich th' hia thoras a Culpake."

b) "The Wedding of Ballymore" (in English)
"A maid from Bearlough,
Another from Bake,
Met one another
Nigh the tall thistles of Culpake."

Sunday 27 February 2011

Days of the week in various British Leids

English;
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday

Old English (Saxon);
Sunnandæg
Mōnandæg
Tīwesdæg
Wōdnesdæg
Þūnresdæg
Frīgedæg
Sæturnesdæg

Irish;
Dé Domhnaigh
Dé Luain
Dé Máirt
Dé Céadaoin
Dé Ardaoin
Dé hAoine
Dé Sathairn

Scots Gaelic;
Di-Dòmhnaich
Di-Luain
Di-Màirt
Di-Ciadain
Di-Ardaoin
Di-Haoine
Di-Sàthairne

Manx;
Jedoonee
Jelune
Jemayrt
Jecrean
Jerdrein
Jeheiney
Jesarn

Welsh;
Dydd Sul
Dydd Llun
Dydd Mawrth
Dydd Mercher
Dydd Iau
Dydd Gwener
Dydd Sadwrn

Cornish;
Dy Sul
Dy Lun
Dy Meurth
Dy Mergher
Dy Yow
Dy Gwener
Dy Sadorn

Breton;
Di'sul
Di'lun
Di'meurzh
Di'merc’her
Di'riaou
Di'gwener
Di'sadorn

Norn;
Sonday
Monanday
Tiseday
Wadensday
Fuersday or Fuirsdey
Freday
Laurday

Yola;
Zindei
Mondei
Tusedei
Wennesdei
Thorsdei
Vridei
Zathardei

Shelta;
Djumnik (Sunday)
Sloon (Monday)
Graadni (Saturday)

Friday 25 February 2011

Prime Numbers in various British Leids

Numbers 1 - 12 in Old English, Scots, Irish, Gaelic, Manx, Welsh, Breton, Shelta and Yola.

Old English
1. An
2. Twa
3. Brie
4. Féower
5. Fif
6. Syx
7. Seofon
8. Eahta
9. Nigon
10.Tyn
11.Endlefan
12.Twelf

Scots;
1. Yin
2. Twae
3. Threi
4. Fower
5. Foive
6. Sax
7. Seeven
8. Aucht
9. Nine
10.Tenn
11.Eleveen
12.Twal

Old Irish;
1. Oen
2. Da
3. Tri
4. Cethair
5. Coic
6. Se
7. Secht
8. Ocht
9. Noi
10.Diech

Irish;
1. Aon
2. Dha
3. Tri
4. Ceathair
5. Cúig
6. Se
7. Seacht
8. Ocht
9. Naoi
10.Ten
11.Aon déag
12.Dó dhéag

Gaelic;
1. Aon
2. Da
3. Tri
4. Ceithir
5. Cóignear
6. Sia
7. Seachd
8. Ochd
9. Naoi
10.Deich
11.Aon deug
12.Dà dheug

Manx;
1. Un
2. Da
3. Tree
4. Kiare
5. Queig
6. Shey
7. Shiaght
8. Hoght
9. Nuy
10.Jei
11.Nane jeig
12.Daa yeig
13.Tree jeig

Welsh;
1. Un
2. Dau
3. Tri
4. Pedwar
5. Pump
6. Chwech
7. Saith
8. Wyth
9. Naw
10.Deg
11.Un ar Deg
12.Deudegg

Breton;
1. unan
2. daou
3. tri
4. pevar
5. pemp
6. c'hwec'h
7. seizh
8. eizh
9. nav
10.dek

Shelta;
1. Ayn
2. Odd
3. Sheeka
4. Shaka
5. Shooka
6. Shay
7. Sheltoo
8. Okht
9. Ayen
10.Chal gyetcha

Yola;
1. Oane
2. Twye
3. Dhree
4. Vowér
5. Veeve
6. Zeese
7. Zebbem
8. Ayght
9. Neene
10.Dhen

Sunday 6 February 2011

A riddle in Norn

Norn was the language spoken in The Shetland and Orkney Islands north of Scotland. A Viking language related to Norwegian, Icelandic and Faroese. Never spoken by more than a thousand people at it's height Norn died out in the late 19th century leaving a few written examples.

a) A riddle in Norn;
"Fira honga, fira gonga,
Fira staad upo "skø"
Twa veestra vaig a bee
And een comes atta driljandi."

b) English translation;
"Four hang, four walk,
Four stand skyward,
Two show the way to the field
And one comes shaking behind."

(The answer to the riddle is; A cow, the four refers to the udder and legs, two refers to the horns and the one is the tail)

Tuesday 25 January 2011

In time for Robbie Burns Day; "Scots Wha Hae" lyrics translated

"Scots Wha Hae" ~ The unofficial Scottish national anthem, written by Robbie Burns in the Scots Leid. Translates as "Scots Who Have" in English.
BTW the Gaelic translation of title is "Brosnachadh Bhruis" which is not a literal translation, "Bhruis" is the Gaelic version of "Bruce" and "brosnachadh" basically means "war cry".

a) SCOTS WHA HAE (in Scots)
"Scots, wha hae wi' Wallace bled,
Scots, wham Bruce has aften led,
Welcome tæ yer gory bed,
Or tæ victorie.

Now's the day, and now's the hour:
See the front o' battle lour,
See approach proud Edward's power -
Chains and Slavery.

Wha will be a traitor knave?
Wha will fill a coward's grave?
Wha sæ base as be a slave?
Let him turn and flee.

Wha, for Scotland's king and law,
Freedom's sword will strongly draw,
Freeman stand, or Freeman fa',
Let him on wi me.

By Oppression's woes and pains,
By your sons in servile chains!
We will drain our dearest veins,
But they shall be free.

Lay the proud usurpers low,
Tyrants fall in every foe,
Liberty's in every blow! -
Let us do or dee."

b) SCOTS WHA HAE (in English)
"Scots, who have with Wallace bled,
Scots, whom Bruce has often led,
Welcome to your gory bed
Or to victory.

Now is the day, and now is the hour:
See the front of battle lower,
See approach proud Edward's power -
Chains and slavery.

Who will be a traitor knave?
Who will fill a coward's grave?
Who's so base as be a slave? -
Let him turn, and flee.

Who for Scotland's King and Law
Freedom's sword will strongly draw,
Freeman stand or freeman fall,
Let him follow me.

By oppression's woes and pains,
By your sons in servile chains,
We will drain our dearest veins
But they shall be free.

Lay the proud usurpers low,
Tyrants fall in every foe,
Liberty is in every blow,
Let us do or die!"

c) "BROSNACHADH BHRUIS" (in Gaelic)
"Albannaich a chail ur fuil
Fo'n laoch Uallas'us fo Bhrus,
Failt' do shuain ur bais an duigh,
No do bhuidhinn stri.

Feuch an latha, so an uair,
Faicaibh gnuis a bhlair fo ghruaim,
Feachd righ Eideard teachd le uaill,
'S geimhlean cruaidhe dhuinn.

Co bhiodh iudasach sa chath,
Co'n uaigh gealtair a bhiodh taisgt',
Co a bhiodh na thraill fo smachd,
Teich gu grad 's na till.

Co as leth tir aird an fhraoich,
Thairneas claidheamh treun na saors',
Le'n fhearr bas na geill' do h-aon,
Thig do'n raon leam fhein.

Le gach truaighe fuaight' ri' daors',
Le cuing thruaillidh cloinn ar gaoil,
Doirteamid ar fuil na taom,
Ach sar shaor bidh sinn.

Sgriosaibh na Sr-foirnidh dhan,
Tuitidh aintighearna 's gach namh,
Anns gach beum tha saors' an aigh,
Buaidh no bas biodh leinn!"

Monday 24 January 2011

Two brief stories in Manx with English translations

Manx is the Gaelic language of The Isle of Man, an island in the Irish Sea between England, Ireland and Scotland. Manx is a Gaelic language related to the Irish and Scottish forms but distinct even though it is spoken by only a few hundred people at the most. Unlike Irish and Scottish Gaelic, Manx uses the same alphabet as English and has simplified, somewhat phonetic spelling making it easier to learn.

1.a) A story in Manx (taken from a field recording;
"Va ben aynshoh yn çhiaghtin chaie as v'ee laccal mish dy ynsagh ee dy gra yn Padjer yn Çhiarn. Dooyrt ee dy row ee gra eh tra v'ee inneen veg, agh t'eh ooilley jarroodit eck, as v'ee laccal gynsagh eh reesht son dy gra eh ec vrastyl ny red ennagh. As dooyrt mish dy jinnagh mee jannoo my share son dy cooney lhee as ren ee çheet aynshoh son dy clashtyn eh, as vel oo laccal dy clashtyn mee dy gra eh?"

b) English translation;
"There was a woman here last week and she wanted me to teach her to say the Lord's Prayer. She said that she used to say it when she was a little girl, but she has forgotten it all, and she wanted to learn it again to say it at a class or something. And I said I would do my best to help her and she came here to hear it, and do you want to hear me say it?"

2.b) A story from Manx folklore;
"V'ad smooinaghtyn dy beagh cabbyl jeeaghyn skee as deinagh ayns y voghree dy beagh eh er ve ec ny ferrishyn fud ny h-oie as beagh ad cur lesh yn saggyrt dy cur e vannaght er."

c) English translation;
"They used to think if a horse was looking tired and weary in the morning then it had been with the fairies all night and they would bring the priest to put his blessing on it."

Passages from the "Ormlum" with translations

Written around 1180 by a monk named Orm or Ormin, The Ormlum was a collection of biblical studies writen in Early Middle English and show English evolving from Saxon and taking in influences from Norse and Norman French as well as Latin.

1.a) From the introduction by Ormin;
"Þiss boc iss nemmnedd Orrmulum
forrþi þatt Orrm itt wrohhte"

b) Modern translation;
"This book is named Ormulum
because Orm wrote it"

2.a) Also from the introduction;
"Icc was þær þær i crisstnedd was
Orrmin bi name nemmnedd"

b) Modern translation;
"Where I was christened, I was
named Ormin by name"


3.a) A passage about the nativity Ormin's original;
"Forrþrihht anan se time comm
þatt ure Drihhtin wollde
ben borenn i þiss middellærd
forr all mannkinne nede
he chæs himm sone kinnessmenn
all swillke summ he wollde
& whær he wollde borenn ben
he chæs all att hiss wille."

b) modern translation;
"As soon as the time came
that our Lord wanted
to be born in this middle-earth
for the sake of all mankind,
at once he chose kinsmen for himself,
all just as he wanted,
and he decided that he would be born
exactly where he wished."

Some passages from Wycliffe's Bible with Modern Translation

Written in a period of years from 1382 to 1395 in the Middle English tongue by John Wycliffe and distributed widely in the British Isles the Wycliffe was a huge influence on the development of English as well as the Scots and Yola lieds which kept many of it's words into the modern era.

1. a)Wycliffe version;
"Oure fadir þat art in heuenes halwid be þi name;
þi reume or kyngdom come to be.Be þi wille don in herþe as it is dounin heuene.
yeue to us today oure eche dayes bred.
And foryeue to us oure dettis þat is oure synnys
as we foryeuen to oure dettouris þat is to men þat han synned in us.
And lede us not into temptacion but delyuere us from euyl."

b)Modern version;
"Our father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debters.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.'


2. a)Wycliffe version;
"And God seide, Lict be maad; and lict was maad"
~ Genesis 1:3

b) King James translation;
"And God said, Let there be light; and there was light"
~ Genesis 1:3 Old Testament

3. a)Wycliffe version;
"For God louede so the world that he yaf his oon bigetun sone, that ech man that beliueth in him perische not, but haue euerlastynge lijf."
~ John 3:16

b) Modern King James translation;
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life."
~ John 3:16 New Testament


4. a) Wycliffe version in Middle English;
"And it is don, aftirward Jesus made iourne bi cites & castelis prechende & euangelisende þe rewme of god, & twelue wiþ hym & summe wymmen þat weren helid of wicke spiritis & sicnesses, marie þat is clepid maudeleyn, of whom seuene deuelis wenten out & Jone þe wif off chusi procuratour of eroude, & susanne & manye oþere þat mynystreden to hym of her facultes."
~Luke ch.8, v.1–3

b) Modern Translation;
"And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and showing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him, and certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, and Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance."
~Translation of Luke ch.8 v.1–3, from the New Testament

Two "Canterbury Tales" prolouges with translation

Written by Geoffrey Chaucer in the 1380's "The Canterbury Tales" is considered the greatest example of literature of the English language of the pre-Renaissance, Middle English era. "Canterbury Tales" are a collection of short stories told from the point of view of a group of travelers on the way to Canterbury. Along with the Wycliffe and Caxton Bibles, the work was the most hugely influential in the development of English literature until Shakespeare's works. It also left an important legacy in the Scots and Yola leids which retained many words and spellings after they left Modern English.
Below are two examples with modern translations.

1.a) From the general prologue;
Original in Middle English(London dialect):
"Whan that Aueryłł wt his shoures soote,
The droghte of Marcħ, hath perced to the roote;
And bathed euery veyne in swich lycour,
Of which vertu engendred is the flour;
Whan zephirus eek wt his sweete breeth,
Inspired hath in euery holt and heeth;
The tendre croppes, and the yonge sonne,
Hath in the Ram, his half cours yronne;
And smale foweles, maken melodye,
That slepen al the nyght with open iye;
So priketh hem nature, in hir corages,
Thanne longen folk to goon on pilgrymages;
And Palmeres for to seeken straunge strondes,
To ferne halwes, kouthe in sondry londes;
And specially, from euery shyres ende,
Of Engelond to Caunterbury they wende;
The holy blisful martir for to seke,
That hem hath holpen whan þt they weere seeke."

b) Modern English translation (note the brackets have been added as they did not exist in Middle English);
"When in April the sweet showers fall
And pierce the drought of March to the root, and all
The veins are bathed in liquor of such power
As brings about the engendering of the flower,
When also Zephyrus with his sweet breath
Exhales an air in every grove and heath
Upon the tender shoots, and the young sun
His half course in the sign of the Ram has run
And the small fowl are making melody
That sleep away the night with open eye,
(So nature pricks them and their heart engages)
Then folk long to go on pilgrimages,
And palmers long to seek the stranger strands
Of far off saints, hallowed in sundry lands,
And specially from every shires’ end
Of England, down to Canterbury they wend
The holy blissful martyr, quick
To give his help to them when they were sick."

2.a) From "The Merchant's Prologue";
"Wepyng and waylyng, care and oother sorwe
I knowe ynogh, on even and a-morwe,'
Quod the Marchant, 'and so doon oother mo
That wedded been."

b) Modern English translation;
"Weeping and wailing, care and other sorrow
I know enough, in the evening and in the morning,'
said the Merchant, 'and so does many another
who has been married."

Sunday 23 January 2011

The Lord's Prayer in various British Leids

Since the Lord's Prayer has been highly standardized and well known for centuries it is often used to compare different languages;
1.First by way of comparison (in case you've forgotten it) here's the English version;
Our Father, who is in heaven,
Hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come, your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins,
As we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,
Amen.

2.The Prayer in Braid Highland Scots-English;
Fiitheeb o' us a', biding Aboon !
Thy name be holie!
Lat thy reign begin !
Lat thy wull be dune, baith in Tirth and Hoeven !
Gie us ilka day oor needfu' fendin.
And forgie ub a' oor ill deeds, as we e'en forgie thae wha did us ill.
And lat us no be sift.it; hut save us frae the Ill-Ane
I For the croon is thine ain,
and the micht and the glory, for evir and evir,
Amen !

3.The Prayer in Lowlands Scots;
Our Father, wha art in heaven,
ballowet be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will he dune
in yirth as it is in heaven.
Gie us this day our daily bread.
An' forgie us our debts, as we forgie our debtors.
An' lead us na intil temptation, hut deliver us frae evil ;
for thine is the kingdom, an* the power, an' the glory, for ever.
Amen.

4.The Prayer in Scottish Gaelic;
Ar n-Athair a tha air nèamh,
Gu naomhaichear d' ainm.
Thigeadh do rìoghachd.
Dèanar do thoil air an talamh,
mar a nithear air nèamh.
Tabhair dhuinn an-diugh ar n-aran làitheil.
Agus maith dhuinn ar fiachan,
amhail a mhaitheas sinne dar luchd-fiach.
Agus na leig ann am buaireadh sinn;
ach saor sinn o olc:
oir is leatsa an rìoghachd, agus a' chumhachd, agus a' ghlòir, gu sìorraidh.
Amen.

5.The Lords Prayer in Irish Gaelic;
Ár n-Athair, atá ar neamh
go naofar d'ainm.
Go dtaga do ríocht.
Go ndéantar do thoil ar an talamh,
mar dhéantar ar neamh.
Ár n-arán laethúil tabhair dúinn inniu,
agus maith dúinn ár bhfiacha,
mar mhaithimid dár bhféichiúna féin.
Agus ná lig sinn i gcathú,
ach saor sinn ó olc.
Óir is leatsa an Ríocht agus an Chumhacht agus an Ghloir, tré shaol na saol.
Amen.

6.The Prayer in Old Irish (circa 500-1000 a.d.)
A athair fil hi nimib,
Noemthar thainm.
Tost do flaithius.
Did do toil i talmain
amail ata in nim.
Tabair dun indiu ar sasad lathi.
Ocus log dun ar fiachu
amail logmaitne diar fhechemnaib.
Ocus nis lecea sind i n-amus n-dofulachtai.
Acht ron soer o cech ulc.
Amen ropfir.

7.The Prayer in Manx Gaelic (the language of the Isle of Man);
Ayr ain t'ayns niau,
Casherick dy row dt'ennym.
Dy jig dty reeriaght.
Dt'aigney dy row jeant er y thalloo,
myr t'ayns niau.
Cur dooin nyn arran jiu as gagh laa,
as leih dooin nyn loghtyn,
myr ta shin leih dauesyn ta jannoo loghtyn nyn 'oi.
As ny leeid shin ayns miolagh,
agh livrey shin veih olk:
Son lhiats y reeriaght, as y phooar, as y ghloyr, son dy bragh as dy bragh.
Amen.

8.The Lords Prayer in Shelta Gaelic;
The language of the Shelta (also known as the Irish travelers) nomads who live throughout the British Isles and North America. The older Gaelic version dates to the 14th to 18th centuries and is more closely related to the other Gaelic tongues with some influences from English and Welsh;
Mwilsha's gater, swart a manyath,
Manyi graw a kradji dilsha's manik.
Graw bi greydid, sheydi laadu
Az aswart in manyath.
Bag mwilsha talosk minyart goshta dura.
Geychel aur shaaku areyk mwilsha
Geychas needjas greydi gyamyath mwilsha.
Bat bog mwilsha ahim gyamyath.
Gradum a gradum.

9.The Lord's Prayer in English Shelta. The newer version (ie.post 19th century) is more clearly influenced by English. Also known as the Traveler's Cant;
Our gathra, who cradgies in the manyak-norch,
We turry kerrath about your moniker.
Let's turry to the norch where your jeel cradgies,
And let your jeel shans get greydied nosher same as it is where you cradgie.
Bug us eynik to lush this thullis,
And turri us you're nijesh sharrig for the gammy eyniks we greydied
Just like we ain't sharrig at the gammi needies that greydi the same to us
Nijesh let us soonie eyniks that'll make us greydi gammy eyniks,
But solk us away from the taddy.
Amen.

10.The Prayer in Welsh;
Ein Tad, yr hwn wyt ,
yn y nefoedd,sanctciddier dy Enw.
Deled dy deyrnas.
Qwneler dy ewyllys, megis yn y nef, felly ar y ddaear licfyd.
Dyro i ni heddyw tin burn bcunyddiol,
A maddeu i ni ein dyledion,
Tel y maddeuwn ninnau i'n dyledwyr.
Ac nac arwain ni i brofedigaeth ; eithr g wared ni rhag drwg.
Canys eiddot ti yw y deyrnas, a'r nertb, a'r gogoniant, yn oea oesoedd.
Amen.

11.The Prayer in Cornish (the language of Cornwall, closely related to Welsh);
Agan Tas ni, eus y’n nev,
bennigys re bo dha hanow.
Re dheffo dha wlaskor,
Dha vodh re bo gwrys y’n nor kepar hag y’n nev.
Ro dhyn ni hedhyw agan bara pub dydh oll,
ha gav dhyn agan kammweyth
kepar dell evyn nyni
dhe’n re na eus ow kammwul er agan pynn ni;
ha na wra agan gorra yn temptashyon,
mes delyrv ni dhiworth drog.
Rag dhiso jy yw an wlaskor,
ha’n galloes ha’n gordhyans,
bys vykken ha bynari.
Yndella re bo!
Amen.

12.The Prayer in Breton (not actually in Britain but closely related to Welsh and Cornish);
Hon Tad,
c'hwi hag a zo en Neñv,
ra vo santelaet hoc'h ano.
Ra zeuio ho Rouantelezh.
Ra vo graet ho youl war an douar evel en neñv.
Roit dimp hizio bara hor bevañs.
Distaolit dimp hon dleoù
evel m' hor bo ivez distaolet d' hon dleourion.
Ha n' hon lezit ket da vont gant an temptadur,
met hon dieubit eus an Droug.

13.The Prayer in Shetland Norn. Norn was the language spoken of the Shetland and Orkney Islands which died out in the late 19th century. It was a Norse Viking tongue related to Norwegian, Icelandic and Faeroese.
Fy vor or er i Chimeri.
Halaght vara nam dit.
La Konungdum din cumma.
La vill din vera guerde
i vrildin sindaeri chimeri.
Gav vus dagh u dagloght brau.
Forgive sindorwara
sin vi forgiva gem ao sinda gainst wus.
Lia wus ikè o vera tempa,
but delivra wus fro adlu idlu.
For do i ir Kongungdum, u puri, u glori,
Amen

14.The Prayer in Orkney Norn;
Favor i ir i chimrie,
Helleur ir i nam thite,
gilla cosdum thite cumma,
veya thine mota vara gort
o yurn sinna gort i chimrie,
ga vus da on da dalight brow vora
Firgive vus sinna vora
sin vee Firgive sindara mutha vus,
lyv vus ye i tumtation,
min delivera vus fro olt ilt,
Amen.

15.The Prayer in Anglo-Saxon (circa 900 a.d.);
Fæder ūre þū þe eart on heofonum,
Sī þīn nama ġehālgod.
Tōbecume þīn rīċe,
ġewurþe ðīn willa, on eorðan swā swā on heofonum
Ūrne ġedæġhwāmlīcan hlāf syle ūs tō dæġ
and forgyf ūs ūre gyltas, swā swā wē forgyfað ūrum gyltendum.
And ne ġelǣd þū ūs on costnunge, ac ālys ūs of yfele.
Soblice

16.The Prayer in Old Northumbrian, a variety of Saxon spoken in Northern England, influenced by Norse (circa 950 a.d.);
Suae ðonne iuih gie bidde fader
urer ðu arð ðu bist in heofnum & in heofnas;
sie gehalgad noma ðin;
to-cymeð ric ðin.
sie willo ðin suae is in heofne & in eorðo.
hlaf userne oferwistlic sel us to dæg.
& forgef us scylda usra suae uoe forgefon scyldgum usum.
& ne inlæd usih in costunge ah gefrig usich from yfle.

17.The Prayer in Old Scots;
Uor fader quhilk beest I Hevin, Hallowit weird thyne nam.
Cum thyne kinrik.
Be dune thyne wull as is I Hevin,
sua po yerd.
Uor dailie breid gif us thilk day.
And forleit us uor skaiths, as we forleit them quha skaith us.
And leed us na intill temptatioun.
Butan fre us fra evil.
Amen.

18.The Prayer in Gaulish-Brittonic (circa 100 a.d., this is a anonymous translation and may not be accurate);
Even taad rhuvn wytyn y neofoedodd,
Santeiddier yr hemvu tau.
De vedy dyrnas dau
Guueler dy wollya arryddayar megia agyit y nefi.
Eyn bara beunydda vul dyro inuiheddivu.
Ammaddeu ynny
eyn deledion, megia agi maddcvu in deledvvir ninaw.
Agna thowys Jni in brofedigaeth,
Namyn gvvaredni rbag drug.
Amen.

19.The Prayer in Jerriais, The language of Jersey, one of the Channel Islands. Essentially is dialect of Norman-French, the other Channel Islands have similar dialects;
Nouot' Péthe qu'es au ciel
qu'Tan nom sait sanctifié
qu'Tan règne veinge
qu'Ta volanté sait faite
sus la tèrre coumme au ciel
baille-nouos aniet not' pain d'la journée
et nouos pardonne nouos offenses
coumme nou pardonne les cheins tchi nouos ont offensé
et n'nouos mène pon dans la tentâtion
mais délivre-nouos du ma
car à Té est lé règne, l'pouver et la glouaithe
au siècl'ye des siècl'yes
Âmen

20.The Prayer in Anglo-Romani, the language used by the Romany (or Gypsy)community in England and Scotland. (In Wales and Ireland the Romany creole are more influenced by Celtic leids);
Moro Dad, so see adre mi Duvelesko keri,
te wel teero kralisom, too zee be kedo adre chik,
jaw see adre mi Duvelesko keri.
Del mendi kova divvus moro divvusly mauro,
ta fordel mendi moro wafedo-kerimus,
pensa mendi fordels yon ta kairs wafedo aposh mendi,
ta lel mendi kek adre wafedo-kerimus.
Jaw keressa te righer mendi avri wafedo.
Jaw see ta jaw see.

21.And one more; The Prayer in Gullah. Not actually spoken in Britain, but an interesting variety of English Creole. Gullah is one of the languages formed by the African slaves in the United States and Caribbean, surviving in communities in South Carolina;
We Fader wa dey een heaben leh ebrybody hona ya nyame.
We pray dat soon ya gwine rule oba de wol.
Wasoneba ting ya wahn, leh um be so een dis wol
Gii we de food wa we need dis day yah an ebry day.
Fagib we fa we sin, same like we da fagib dem people wa do bad
at we Leh we dohn hab haad test wen Satan try we.
Keep we fom ebil.
Amen.
Anglo-Norman;
Li nostre pere, qui ies es ciels:
saintefiez seit li tuens nums.
Avienget li tuns regnes.
Seit faite la tue voluntet,
sicum en ciel e en la terre.
Nostre pain cotidian dun a nus oi.
E pardune a nus les noz detes,
eissi cume nus pardunums a noz deturs.
E ne nus mener en temtatiun,
mais delivre nus de mal. Amen.

A few slightly derogatory regional terms

1. Teuchter ~ A Lowland Scottish word referring to Highland Scots, especially Gaelic speakers. No specifically derogatory but often used to imply lower class "white trash" or "hillbillies". Pronounced "chookter".

2. Sassenach ~ A Highland Scots and Irish word to refer to Lowland Scots or English. Translates as "Saxons". Not specifically derogatory, but by lumping in Lowland Scots together with the English as "Saxons" it implies that they are foreigners and not truly Scots. Pronounced "sassenakh".

3. Erse ~ A Lowland Scots word to refer to the Gaelic language and Gaelic tongue. Translates as "Irish" implying that Gaelic speakers are foreigners.

4. Taffy or Taffs ~ An English term referring to the Welsh, Cornish, Bretons or Cumbrians. Originally Taffy was a short form of Taffydd or Daffydd, a Welsh version of David, a common Welsh and Cornish name. Not specifically derogatory but is used to imply a lout. Evolved into the word "daffy" which then become a more general insult.

5. Sais ~ A Welsh word for the English, the female form is Saesnes. Originally from an old Saxon word meaning "fair" as in having lighter hair and skin, which doesn't sound too bad, however it can also be be meant to imply an effeminate toff. Or it could also be a corruption of the word Saxon similar to the Scottish term "Sassenach".

6. Sows ~ The Cornish word for the English, and the Cornish word for the English language is "Sowsnek" both of which sound particularly insulting, at least in English. Actually it comes from the same root word as the Welsh "sais".

7. Paddy ~ A common English and Scots term for the Irish, usually implies a drunken buffoon. Originally derived from the common Irish name Patrick (Padraig in Irish), St. Patrick is also of course the Patron Saint of Ireland. The term "Micks" used as insult is an American derivative. A female term sometimes used in the Victorian and Edwardian eras was "Bridget" although this has since fallen away.

Some other regional terms;

8. Grasano ~ Shelta term for a Scottish person

9. Shisher ~ Shelta term for an Irish person

10.Rilanthu ~ Another Shelta term for an Irish person

11.Palanthus ~ Shelta term for an English person

12.Eerish ~ Yola term for the Irish

A muckle of auld English words

1. Aers ~ A person's behind, Middle English, later evolved into "arse".

2. Bedswerver ~ An adulterer, 16 to 18th centuries.

3. Bellibone ~ A pretty girl, from the French "belle et bonne" (fair and good), 16 to 18th centuries.

4. Bellytimber ~ A hearty meal, 17 to 19th centuries.

5. Blue Devils ~ To be sad, to have the blues.

6. Bodkin ~ A slim dagger or arrowhead, later a sewing needle. A.K.A. bodekin, 15 to 18th centuries.

7. Chantpleure ~ To sing a sad song from the French "sing-cry".

8. Cokenay ~ A weakling or coward

9. Fellowfeel ~ To empathize, 17 to 18th centuries.

10. Fleshspades or fingerspades ~ Fingernails, 18 to 19th centuries.

11. Idea Pot ~ The brain, 19th century.

12. Keak ~ A dry cackle, 17 to 19th centuries.

13. Lip Clap ~ A kiss, 17th century.

14. Loller ~ An idler, a lazy person, to "loll around".

15. Lubberwort ~ Heavy food or drink of no value.

16. Malkin ~ A mop

17. Merry-go-sorry ~ A story or song that is both happy and sad, 16 to 17 centuries.

18. Mubblefubbles ~ To be sad or blue.

19. Mulligrabs ~ To be sad or blue.

20. Murfles ~ Freckles, pimples, birthmarks, moles.

21. Poplolly ~ A girl friend, from the French "poupelet", 16 and 17th centuries.

22. Prickmedainty ~ A prissy dandy, 16th century.

23. Quotha ~ Yes indeed, Middle English

24. Skint ~ To have no money or broke, from to be "skinned".

25. Smellsmock ~ A womanizer, a lech, 18 to 17th centuries.

26. Snirtle ~ To snicker derisively under one's breath.

27. Toff ~ A dandy.

28. Wold ~ The forest or woods, Middle English.

29. Wurp ~ A stone's throw or a quick glance, from the Saxon, 10 to 14th centuries.

30. Yclept ~ Called out, Middle English

Scottish New Years Terms

1. "Auld Lang Syne" ~ From the classic Robbie Burns poem, literally "Old long since", thus "Days of auld lang syne" means "days of old gone by".

2. Hogmanay ~ The name given to the New Year's celebrations. The origin of the word is unknown, some possibilities include the Norman French "hoguinané" or "Homme est né" or "Man is born" , the Norse "Hoggo-nott" a yuletime feast, the Flemish "hoog min dag" or "great love day", the Saxon "Haleg monath" or "Holy Month" or the Gaelic "Oge maidne" or "new morning".

3. "Lang may yer lum reek" ~ A traditional New Years greeting meaning "Long may your chimney smoke" or may you have enough fuel. Lum = Chimney, Reek = smoke.

4. "Handselling" ~ Was the custom of gift giving on the first Monday of the New Year but this has died out except for the Outer Islands. Also "Hanselling".

5. "Burning the clavie" ~ A bonfire made of a wooden cask filled with tar held together with an iron spike called a "clavis" in Latin; hence the term, however it may more likely also be from Scottish Gaelic "cliabh", a basket used for holding combustibles.

6. Douro ~ The alter upon which the clavie is burned.

7. Ne'erday ~ New Years Day.

8. Auld Handsel Monday ~ is traditionally celebrated on the first Monday after the 12th of January. Small gifts or tips are given out, roughly equal to Boxing Day in England and Canada. A "Handsel" or "Hansel" is a small gift box.