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A’ Ghàidhealtachd

B1
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Abairtean

Phrases

There were a few words and phrases there which you can use when talking about Ainmean is sloinnidhean Gàidhealach (Highland names and surnames). Let’s look at some of them again in context.

Dè an sloinneadh a th’ ort?

What’s your surname (or patronymic)?

An ann a’ tarraing asam a tha thu …?

Are you kidding me …?

Tha deagh fhios agad dè th’ ann!

You know fine [very well] what it is!

‘S ann mu dheidhinn sloinneadh sinnsearachd a tha mi a’ bruidhinn.

I’m talking about ancestry.

Nar n–eachdraidh

In our history

Nar beatha

In our lives

… gun do dh’innis màthair Iain sin dhomh turas

… that John’s mother told me that once

Bha tuilleadh ‘s a chòir ainmean ann

There were too many names.

Nach ann dha na fir a tha sin?

Isn’t that (just) for men?

Màiri Nighean Alasdair Ruaidh!

Mary, daughter of Red–haired Alasdair!

Cò i?

Who’s she?

‘S i …

She is …

… no b’ i …

… or she was …

Bana–bhàrd ainmeil sa Ghàidhlig

A famous Gaelic poet(ess)

Màiri NicLeòid!

Mary MacLeod!

An i Màiri Mhòr, Màiri Mhòr nan Òran?

Is she Màiri Mhòr, Màiri Mhòr nan Òran [lit Great Mary of the Songs]?

Màiri Nic a’ Phearsain

Mary MacPherson

‘S e Dòmhnallach a bh’ innte

She was a MacDonald

No mar as fheàrr a dh’aithnichear i:

Or as she’s better known:

Màiri nighean Iain Bhàin

Mary daughter of Fair–haired John

Dè mu dheidhinn tè eile …?

What about another one [woman] …?

Fionnghal nighean Raghnaill ‘ic Aonghais Òig

Flora daughter of Ranald son of Young Angus

Bana–ghaisgeach nan Seumasach ann am Bliadhna Theàrlaich:

Jacobite heroine of the ’45 [lit. The Year of Charles]

Fionnghal NicDhòmhnaill

Flora MacDonald

… càirdeach ri …

… related to …

Alasdair mac Mhaighstir Alasdair

Alexander son of Master Alexander [Reverend Alexander MacDonald]?

We’ll catch up with some more of these as well as adding some new words and phrases to our vocabulary as we progress through this lesson.