5 Comments
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SirPass's avatar

You are not alone in your hate on this island, a chara

Billy Thistle's avatar

Without translation of the Celtic words, how can there be any true appreciation of the poem?

Aodhan MacMhaolain's avatar

It wouldn't work that way. This poem shows a progression from organized hierarchy, legal rights, cultural practices, to madness. There are no English words to convey some of these ideas accurately, and it's about the loss of Gaelic systems so it wouldn't make sense to try and hamfist English replacements. Besides, for those who don't know these words, it's just esoteric. For those who do, it shows the disassembling of order into mad chaos.

It would also change the flow and lengthen most lines, which is something I consciously chose not to do. Just Google the words!

Billy Thistle's avatar

Who is going to look up 7 foreign words from such a short poem, not to mention its title? Well, not me. All you have to do is offer translations below the actual poem in an explanatory paragraph. Say as much or as little as you like about those words. Educate us. And wouldn't that also extend a modicum of good will on your part?

Aodhan MacMhaolain's avatar

No, be grateful I didn't write it all in Old Irish.