Who will we be?
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by mac_talla
*MISE ÉIRE
Mise Éire: Sine mé ná an Chailleach Bhéarra
Mór mo ghlóir: Mé a rug Cú Chulainn cróga.
Mór mo náir: Mo chlann féin a dhíol a máthair.
Mise Éire: Uaigní mé ná an Chailleach Bhéarra.
(Mac Piarais)
The pragmatists are cringing. The legalists are ready to pounce because there is no translation. The Gaeilgephobes will roll their eyes and pass it by and of course many are already scanning for relevance to the game. Ah, well…."There is more, Horatio, in Heaven and Earth, than is dreamt of in thy philosophy”.
Four little lines. Four exquisitely beautiful and tragic lines. Four lines that capture the essence of real life Ireland better than anything ever written before or since, in my most humble opinion. Do we have anything approaching a coherent vision of what we want eIreland to be?
Only a tiny minority of citizens participate in the political process. Apparently, a huge percentage of the population, are here only to make their fortunes, as their true hearts’ loyalties lie elsewhere. We have prominent citizens who speak more often of the glories and attributes of other countries and not so much of their vision for this one. Some disparage the use of the national language. Others see shadows of old slights and insults around every corner and so are unable to move forward.
Do we wish for this to be a home for mercenaries and fortune hunters? Would we prefer to take on the attributes and attitudes of those around us and have no distinct identity of our own? Do we want to “go along to get along”?
Get involved, people! The Congress is currently debating the constitution on the forum. Give them your input and be a part of creating a new eIreland.
*PM me for a translation.
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Yes - everyone else should get involved in forming a vision of the future for eIreland and integrating with each other and getting along..... yes everyone else .... except for a small bunch who insist on publishing articles only a small percentage of eIreland can translate and understand and so form a cliche and ensure that the majority of eIrish citizens will continue to feel like outsiders - and this time I\'m not speaking about IR.
Hell I did 14 years of Irish in primary/secondary and I have no clue what that paragraph is saying. But I don\'t particularly want to as there\'s enough hypocracy in the english bit for one post.
Also - asking for english translations to any non-english article does not make someone a Gaeilgephobe - it makes them interested in making sure we can all discuss issues openly and that anyone that wants to participate can without feeling that you have to be fluent in Irish to participate in eIreland.
Thank you for that measured and generous response, Len.
I am Irelan😛 I am older than the Old Woman of Beare.
Great my glory: I that bore Cuchulainn the valiant.
Great my shame: My own children that sold their mother.
[Great my pain: The bitter enemies of my eternal torment.
Great my sorrow: Death on the people in whom were my hopes.]
I am Irelan😛 I am lonelier than the Old Woman of Beare.
Pádraic Pearse
Translation for those who dont know irish, but want to enjoy with pure irish poetry.
P😨 Hope mac_talla dont get angry about i translated the poem 🙂
Aye, the lack of involvement is a pain in the arse. But then again it goes for most countries. Then again this is not an excuse. It is hard to discuss anything when most people just remain silent about issues.
As for talking in Irish, I understand how important it is for the national pride. But keep in mind not all e-Irishmen are Irish born. People like myself not only will not understand it, they won\'t even be able to get a small glimpse at what is going on via online translators (as I did not found any for that language). If we were to use Irish for official stuff many of today\'s biggest contributors to eIreland would never be able to get involved. Many people who came here would not. It would not only counter the involvement but also choke the immigration and isolate many people from Irish politics eventually driving them to other e-countries.
Personally not understanding a word that is written in Irish I do not attack people for using it. Sometimes i simply ask around for people to translate something for me. Providing an english translation by the author itself would in fact made his article more understandable to the larger amount of population and would be a sign of \"good manners\" in a way because he shows that he writes in a way easily comprehensible to his reader.
I AM IRELAND
I am Irelan😛 I am older than the Old Woman of Beare.
Great my glory: I that bore Cuchulainn the valiant.
Great my shame: My own children that sold their mother.
I am Irelan😛 I am lonelier than the Old Woman of Beare.
Not in the least ,Fionn. It is a very good translation. Thank you.
*Ima....I understand that most people do not understand Irish, including the real life Irish. I am not even remotely suggesting Irish be the \"official\" language, but if that will get folks involved, then hey...I will take the hits. LOL
Mac, please continue publishing articles in Irish (or hindi if it pleases you..)
You have even offered to translate for anyone who sends you a message!!
The Irish lines are poetry and while Fionn\'s translation is great and accurate it is not poetic at all. The article itself is written as Béarla so I don\'t think that the language barrier here is much of an issue.