Translation Test

sadie06

Dia dhiabh.

My son (who attends a Gael Scoil) was just helping me with our own translation of the song Summer Holidays. It's not quite right though. He says the phrase in italics is a common one, but he was unsure of the spelling, and I could not find it anywhere. Any help or suggestions appreciated.

Tá sé don cór scoile. Go raibh maith agaibh.


Beimid ag dul ar ár laethannta saoire
Gan aon obair bhaile do mí nó dhó.
Sport is spraoí ar ár laethannta saoire
Ach ní leanann sé ar aidhigh go deo
Díreach mí nó dhó.


Edit: Sorry, the title should read Translation Help, not 'Test'.

Insect Overlord

It should be "ar aghaidh". The last two words (go deo) are fine. Nice translation!

sadie06

Thanks so much for that. He is delighted with himself that we got a response before he went to bed!

Gumbi

There are a couple of mistakes. The are nit-picky, and things a teacher (unless sharp) mightn't pick up.

Beimid ag dul ar ár laethanta saoire
Gan aon obair bhaile do mhí nó dhó.
Sport is spraoí ar ár laethannta saoire
Ach ní leanann sí ar aghaidh go deo
Díreach mí nó dhó.

Spraoí I think is an acceptable spelling, but sproai (no accent) is the standard spelling. Not "nn" in laethanta.

It is sí here because the "it" is referring to "saoire" which is a feminine word... As I say that, I realise, it come to mind that it would actually be referring to laethanta, so siad should be more appropriate. This is what comes most naturally to me when I say it.

I'm not a huge fan of using díreach like that. It might be OK, but I don't think it's great Irish. Does anyone else have a thought on this? It's probably fine to use for this, though.

I am being critical, I know But as Insect Overlord said, it was a good initial attempt!

sadie06

Thanks a million for your input. I'll take it all on board. My son was a bit iffy about the last line too, but felt it was the best way to fit it in to the rhythm of the song.

pog it

Gumbi wrote: »

There are a couple of mistakes. The are nit-picky, and things a teacher (unless sharp) mightn't pick up.

Beimid ag dul ar ár laethanta saoire
Gan aon obair bhaile do mhí nó dhó.
Sport is spraoí ar ár laethannta saoire
Ach ní leanann sí ar aghaidh go deo
Díreach mí nó dhó.

Spraoí I think is an acceptable spelling, but sproai (no accent) is the standard spelling. Not "nn" in laethanta.

It is sí here because the "it" is referring to "saoire" which is a feminine word... As I say that, I realise, it come to mind that it would actually be referring to laethanta, so siad should be more appropriate. This is what comes most naturally to me when I say it.

I'm not a huge fan of using díreach like that. It might be OK, but I don't think it's great Irish. Does anyone else have a thought on this? It's probably fine to use for this, though.

I am being critical, I know But as Insect Overlord said, it was a good initial attempt!

Yep, 'ach amháin' would be better than 'díreach' here.

I don't think the mistakes are 'nit-picky' either at all. Frightening if a teacher wouldn't pick up on them- i.e even the worst of the teachers should know those basics but great translation by you guys.

Insect Overlord

pog it wrote: »

I don't think the mistakes are 'nit-picky' either at all. Frightening if a teacher wouldn't pick up on them- i.e even the worst of the teachers should know those basics but great translation by you guys.

Bit harsh. We were only asked by the OP to look at one line out of the five.

pog it

Insect Overlord wrote: »

Bit harsh. We were only asked by the OP to look at one line out of the five.

What was harsh? I praised the translation.

My point was simply that it should be very easy for even the worst teachers to spot those couple of things- they are the teachers and not the pupils after all! Any teacher who wouldn't spot them is on the wrong side of the classroom!

sadie06

pog it wrote: »

What was harsh? I praised the translation.

My point was simply that it should be very easy for even the worst teachers to spot those couple of things- they are the teachers and not the pupils after all! Any teacher who wouldn't spot them is on the wrong side of the classroom!

Thanks to all for their input. Just to point out that no teacher had looked at it at all when I put it up here!

Insect Overlord

pog it wrote: »

What was harsh? I praised the translation.

My point was simply that it should be very easy for even the worst teachers to spot those couple of things- they are the teachers and not the pupils after all! Any teacher who wouldn't spot them is on the wrong side of the classroom!

I'm a teacher myself...

pog it

Insect Overlord wrote: »

I'm a teacher myself...

I'm not sure why you are taking this personally?