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Celtic Radio Community > Irish Gaelic > Irish Gaelic In The Secret Of Roan Inish

Posted by: wizardofowls 19-Apr-2004, 01:24 PM

Hello all!

I feel a little out of place here!

Being of Scottish descent (McKay on my mother's side) and a student of Scottish Gaelic, I tend to hang out most of the time on the Scotland boards. Some day when I have mastered Scottish Gaelic, though, I hope to learn the Irish variety as well, but that is somewhere WAY down the road!

However I just LOVE most anything Irish as well, including the music (LOVE Riverdance, Clannad, etc., etc.)

Another thing I love is the movie The Secret of Roan Inish. My question is this...

There is a scene in the movie where the grandfather is explaining to Fiona some of the family history. He is explaining that one of her ancestors spoke Irish in school one day and his school master punished him. In response the young man lashes out in Irish. When the grandfather speaks those words, the grandmother is shocked, but he responds by saying, "Well, that's what he said! And besides, she doesn't speak a word of Irish any way!"

What does he say? I'd like to see both the Gaelic words and the English translation if anyone knows....

Thanks in advance!

Posted by: barddas 20-Apr-2004, 11:51 AM

Good film. I remember that scene. I have no idea as to what he says. I will see what I can find though......

Posted by: Eamon 20-Apr-2004, 12:21 PM

Try writing it phonetically. That would help.

Barrdas, I couldn't find an online script, but maybe you will have better luck than me.

Eamon

Posted by: wizardofowls 20-Apr-2004, 07:51 PM

Thanks for trying, guys! I am working today and tomorrow, so I won't get a chance to watch it again (so that I can try to write out what he says phonetically) until Thursday or Friday. If you don't find anything before then, I'll post it when I do.

Thanks again!

Posted by: wizardofowls 22-Apr-2004, 08:46 AM

Okay guys, I watched the scene several times today and did my best to write down what it sounded like he was saying. Please bear in mind a couple of things..
First, the words are spoken very quickly and in anger, so I did the best I could,
And second, I am an American, so try to read these phonetics with an American accent

Nee muh shittuh asluh ahn zee galda, hai shosta ho nay

Is this any help at all?

Posted by: Siobhan Blues 23-Apr-2004, 12:56 PM

QUOTE (wizardofowls @ Apr 22 2004, 09:46 AM)

Nee muh shittuh asluh ahn zee galda, hai shosta ho nay

Is this any help at all?

Okay somebody, hurry up and translate this!!!
I've been wondering for YEARS what it means!

Posted by: wizardofowls 02-May-2004, 07:08 PM

Am I correct in assuming that the phonetics were of no help at all?

Posted by: Danann 03-May-2004, 01:22 PM

I'm still working on it, but the second is 'sac suas i do thóin é' which means 'Stick it up your arse' I'll see if I can decipher the rest.

Posted by: Siobhan Blues 04-May-2004, 08:16 AM

Posted by: wizardofowls 05-May-2004, 09:02 PM

Thanks! Can't wait to find out what the rest says! Hope its printable in a family forum!

Posted by: WizardofOwls 04-Jan-2005, 10:39 AM

Hi there!

I see that the last time anyone responded to this topic was back in May, 2004. I would still like to know what is said here! Do any of our new members know what it means?

Posted by: WizardofOwls 04-Jan-2005, 10:40 AM

OOPS! (blushes) That should have been 2004, obviously! My mistake! King Of Typos here!

Posted by: Siobhan Blues 15-Jan-2005, 11:32 AM

QUOTE (Danann @ 03-May-2004, 02:22 PM)

I'm still working on it, but the second is 'sac suas i do thóin é' which means 'Stick it up your arse' I'll see if I can decipher the rest.

Hey, I was visiting this topic today after a long time away and looked at your wedding web site - You look a bit like my future daughter-in-law in that photo! And it says you got married in November (congrats, a bit late then) but in Decatur Alabama...
I participated in a big wildlife art show there for several years during the 90's, at a college campus building. We always visited the Wheeler wildlife preserve on Sunday mornings, for a breakfast before the show began. What a terrific area! I liked Decatur, it was fun visiting there.

Siobhan Blues
Austell, GA

Posted by: maggiemahone1 15-Jan-2005, 02:52 PM

QUOTE (WizardofOwls @ 04-Jan-2005, 09:39 AM)

Hi there!

I see that the last time anyone responded to this topic was back in May, 2044. I would still like to know what is said here! Do any of our new members know what it means?

You've got my curiosity up now, Allen. I did do some researching, I can't find diddly on it!

maggiemahone1

Posted by: Danann 03-Oct-2005, 02:45 PM

Well, I have solved the mystery!!!!

It translates to "I'm not your donkey/ass, English monster, stick it up your ass!"

That's about as close as I can come, that middle part is what is throwing me... Its some sort of swear I can tell that. Other people say that the middle part says, "and I'm not a thief" But I don't hear that in there. This is what I get for a translation

Ní mise d'asal, ainmhí gallach! Sac suas i do thóin é!

Posted by: WizardofOwls 03-Oct-2005, 05:24 PM

Tapadh leat, a ghràidh!
Thanks dear!

Now I won't have to wonder anymore!

Posted by: Danann 04-Oct-2005, 10:09 AM

The middle section is an insult of some form, that was the closest I could get to the translation, but it's fitting.

Posted by: Eiric 03-Dec-2005, 07:29 AM

I would translate it exactly the same waqy - and so would my Irish friend Mairtinn O' Deabheanaigh too!

Posted by: wildBonnie 12-Jan-2011, 03:29 PM

Delighted to find this thread!
I came across this site while searching, not for gaelic profanities but for a song.

I had the video of Roan Inish as a bairn and loved it; I still sing to myself the lullabye that's played when Fionagh falls asleep and dreams of her mother. Does anybody know where I could find this song, or what the lyrics of it are?

Much appreciated,

Bonnie