Can someone please tell me how to say "New Life" in Gaelic? My friend and I are both getting divorced and would like identical tattoos symbolizing starting a new life with the words in Gaelic above.
Thanks.

Sallyann

There are two words in Irish Gaelic for "life," beatha and beo. The word for "new" is nua.

So, "new life" would be either:

beatha nua

or

beo nua

If the price of the tatoo is based on the number of letters, maybe "beo nua" would be a better bargain. :)

Student of Tatoos
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/irishlinguistics/

Oops, I should have said there were a number of words for life, including "saol" as Maidhc indicates above.

Saol is closest to life as the thing you live, and best for your purpose.

Sorry student of tattoos,
Aonghus is right. 'Saol nua' is the best and I'm afraid 'beo nua' is just wrong. It means 'alive new' and it doesn't make sense.

It's a common mistake. Working from the dictionary won't do it. A lot of students of a lot of languages make this mistake. You do need to check with people who speak the language. You may save money but the tattoo won't make sense. It's good you came here to check.

May you have good luck with your 'Tús nua' (a new start) Sallyann,
to both you and your friend :)
C

Of course it goes without saying that I defer to Aonghus and other fluent speakers on the correct use of the word for "life" in this case.

I would like to ask for clarification for my own benefit in regard to the word "beo." The dictionary indicates that, besides being an adjective as Caitriona points out above (alive new), "beo" is also a noun meaning "life." Also, in the English section of the dictionary, one of the possible Irish words for "life" is "beo."

So my question is: barring the situation that the dictionary is just plain wrong about "beo" meaning "life," when is it appropriate to use "beo" as a noun meaning "life."

After doing a little googling, here's at least one example of somebody who thinks "Beo Nua" means "New Life."

See page 17 at:

http://corpuscanada.org/pdf%20journal/2001/2001%20No.%205%20Sep-Oct.pdf

Now I'm starting to wonder if it's possible that there's more than one way to say "new life" in Irish.

Found it eventually on p17. Sorry but it's not a reliable source. It was a nice thought and a sweet thought by the person who tried to get the right translation but it should be 'saol nua.'

............and from irishdictionary online at http://www.englishirishdictionary.com we have:

right to life: ceart chun beo

It's amazing how many dictionaries must be wrong when it comes to "beo" meaning life.

Don't get me wrong. I'm trying to help. Yes it does have a lot of different meanings but it doesn't work as Beo nua :)
C

"Saol Nua" is the right choice here, as Mike, Aonghus and Caitríona have said. "Beo" strikes me as a word used mostly poetically, or in certain stereotyped expressions such as "le mo bheo" (as long as I live) and "bior sa bheo" (a thorn in the flesh). Out of curiosity, I went to the Irish translation of the Bible, which talks a lot about "life". Depending on context, the most common words used are "beatha" and "saol". But I did find two uses of "beo" which are worth quoting:

Tá cosaint na heagna cosúil le cosaint an airgid ach is é an tairbhe atá le baint as an eolas go gcosnaíonn an eagna beo na ndaoine a bhfuil sí acu. - Cóheilit/Eccl. 7:12

Níl a fhios agaibh céard a tharlóidh amárach. Céard é bhur mbeo? Níl ionaibh ach mar ghal a thaibhsíonn ar feadh tamaill bhig agus théann ar ceal ansin. - Séamas/James 4:14

quote:

It was a nice thought and a sweet thought by the person who tried to get the right translation but it should be 'saol nua.'

I don't quite agree. The context for "New Life - Beo Nua" is given beneath the photo as "Chris & Naomi celebrate their 35th wedding anniversary."

Do they have a new "saol" in this case, still married after all those years? Or new life (= vigor, attentiveness, or whatever) in their old "saol"? It strikes me that "beatha" or "beocht" or even "beo" is a better choice in this particular context than "saol".

Now, if they were divorcing, the would each definitely have a "saol nua"!

Sallyann,

Would you take a photo of your new tattoo, when it's healed, and let us see it? Please!!!

In the excerpt from the bible that Dennis shows above, "Céard é bhur mbeo," would the correct translation of that sentence be "What is/are your (plural) life/lives? If so, it lends credence to the notion that "beo" means "life" and that the dictionaries are not wrong after all. I'm slightly confused as to why the pronoun "iad" isn't used instead of "e," but perhaps it's due to poetic/biblical license.

It's abundantly clear to me from the postings above that the most common way to say "new life" is "saol nua." But is it the only way? Is it possible that there are dialectical issues present between the multiple choices in Irish for the word "life." For example, I always thought that the website www.beo.ie meant "alive," but maybe it means "life" and is the preferred word used for "life" in the Ulster dialect. Just a thought.

When Dennis writes that "'Beo' strikes me as a word used mostly poetically" I'm tempted to think that someone may prefer a little poetry for their tatoo rather than the most common way and might opt for "Beo Nua."

I have very much enjoyed this discussion and have learned much from it. I would like to remind Sallyann that I am only a beginning student of Irish and that she should take the advice of advanced speakers like Dennis and Aonghus in regard to her tatoo.

Ceann eile sa mheá daoibh a chairde:

An Saol Úr!

(Go maire sibh bhur saol úr!)

I think the closest english to beo as a noun would be "a living thing", i.e beo nua -> a new life (for a new entity)

Consider: "An beo gan breith" the unborn.

http://www.google.ie/search?hs=lHh&hl=ga&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aga-I E%3Aofficial&q=An+%22beo+gan+breith%22&btnG=Cuardaigh&meta=


beo [ainmfhocal firinscneach den cheathrú díochlaonadh]
duine, neach, beo (an beo agus an marbh); beatha (le linn mo bheo); feoil íogair faoi ionga.

beatha [ainmfhocal baininscneach den cheathrú díochlaonadh]
an fad a bhíonn duine ar an saol; cuntas ar shaol duine; rudaí a choinníonn beo duine, cothú, bia; focal fáilte (is é do bheatha).

saol [ainmfhocal firinscneach den chéad díochlaonadh]
an fad a mhaireann duine nó rud (fad saoil chugat; ar feadh mo shaoil); staid bheatha (an saol seo; an saol atá inniu ann; bhí saol crua acu); cineál beatha (saol na cathrach; saol an mhadra bháin); aoibhneas beatha (is acu atá an saol; is leo an saol); cúrsaí an duine ó lá go lá (aghaidh a thabhairt ar an saol; d'éirigh an saol leo); an chruinne go léir (ó rinneadh an saol); an domhan (sin a bhfuil sa saol agam; ar ór an tsaoil); an uile dhuine (an saol mór; bhí an saol is a mháthair ann).

A Aonghuis

Thanks for the clarification. As a student of Irish, I would like to ask you and others for some additional patience with me, as you all have been very patient with my interest in this word "beo."

I see in Ó Dónaill's and other dictionaries that the first entry for "beo" is "living being." But the second definition is indicated as "life," with one of the examples given as "Más milis leat do bheo" - "If you value your life." (I give the translation for other students who may be following along with this thread.)

So, I've still got it in my head that "beo" also means "life" and I'm trying to understand why "new life" can't be represented as "beo nua." There must be some nuance to the meaning of "beo" that I'm missing or I'm tempted to think that it's a dialectical variation, etc. for the meaning of "life," albeit not the most common.

Den bhFocloir Beag :

"beo [ainmfhocal firinscneach den cheathrú díochlaonadh]

duine, neach, beo (an beo agus an marbh); beatha (le linn mo bheo); feoil iogai faoi ionga."

And the context of James 4:14 is that of mere existance, not how one lives their life nor pertaining to one's surroundings.

(Message edited by Maidhc_Ó_G. on April 21, 2006)

A Mhaidhc_Ó_g,

Now it's starting to become clear to me, especially when you mention existing versus how we live our lives.

Go raibh maith agat,

Student of Irish

Because "beo nua", would mean a new life, e.g a new child.
What I gave above was plucked from an Foclóir beag
http://www.csis.ul.ie/focloir

beo [ainmfhocal firinscneach den cheathrú díochlaonadh]
duine, a person
neach, an entity
beo (an beo agus an marbh) the living and the dead
beatha (le linn mo bheo); during my life (from the beginning to the ultimate end)
feoil íogair faoi ionga.: sensitive flesh beneath a nail (i.e. the quick)

saol [ainmfhocal firinscneach den chéad díochlaonadh]
an fad a mhaireann duine nó rud (fad saoil chugat; ar feadh mo shaoil); The length of time a thing or person is alive

staid bheatha (an saol seo; an saol atá inniu ann; bhí saol crua acu); the condition of living/being alive

cineál beatha (saol na cathrach; saol an mhadra bháin);
A type of life, e.g. city life, the life of the white dog (which is utopic)

aoibhneas beatha (is acu atá an saol; is leo an saol);
Joie de vivre!

cúrsaí an duine ó lá go lá (aghaidh a thabhairt ar an saol; d'éirigh an saol leo); The affairs of a person from day to day

an chruinne go léir (ó rinneadh an saol); The entirety of the universe

an domhan (sin a bhfuil sa saol agam; ar ór an tsaoil);
The whole world.

an uile dhuine (an saol mór; bhí an saol is a mháthair ann). All persons

Thanks Aonghus for the detailed answer! I'm beginning to see the differences in the meanings between saol and beo.

In the meantime I asked a question at Freagra (http://www.acmhainn.ie/freagra/) about the difference between saol and beo and here's what I got as an answer:

Where 'beo' is used as a noun, rather than its more common use as adjective, it means 'a living entity'. So 'beo nua' means 'a new living entity', for example in the way we say that someone having a baby is bringing a new life into this world.

In the case of a new WAY of life or a new VITALITY to something, though, we use 'beatha' or 'saol' or even 'beocht'.

Fáilte romhat, a mhic (nó iníon?) léinn.

Agus seo seanfhocal dhuit: "Beatha duine a thoil!"

Dia duit!

Can somebody please translate mehow to say "Nuar a bhíonn sneachta ar Nephin bíonn fuacht ar Eireann." in English?
And how to say "irish rover" in Gaelic?
Thank you so much.

Have a nice day!

Anna

quote:

"Nuar a bhíonn sneachta ar Nephin bíonn fuacht ar Eireann."

When it snows on Nephin it's cold in Ireland.

Me thinks that's correct, but wait for corrections.

Or, perhaps more accurately:

"When snow is on Nephin, it's cold in Ireland."

Looks like a nice place to visit:

http://mountainviews.ie/mv/index.php?mtnindex=36

Agus seo seanfhocal dhuit tú fein, a Aonghuis:

"An té nach leigheasann im nó uisce beatha, ní aon leigheas air."

Thanks again for all the help from you and others on understanding the words for "life."

Hi Anmara,
I think 'Irish Rover' would be
'Seachránaí gaelach' or 'Seachránaí Éireannach' or
'Fánaí gaelach' or 'Fánaí Éireannach' although if he were the type of rover that roved in search of work he'd be a 'Spailpín fánach.'
I wonder if you could use 'fear a' bóthair' (man of the road)?
I'd wait to see if you get other answers on this.

By the way can I ask where you got the phrase from? I'm particularly interested in the spelling 'ar Éireann.' Thanks a mill,
C

I found this through google by typing in the phrase shown above:

http://www.mayo-ireland.ie/Conntel/CT9802/CT980205/Titanic2.htm

Thank you everyone for your help. Sorry to have started an argument! I will use "Saol Nua" and will definitely show everyone a picture but we will not be doing this until late summer perhaps. After the divorces are final. Just to clarify, I do not mean to make it seem like divorce is a thing to be celebrated, but we are both in abusive relationships. Thanks for the well wishes.

Sallyann

Oops, one more thing. I had better know how to pronounce this "Saol Nua" if it is going to be on my body! Anybody?

Sallyann

Sallyann, a chara,

I wish you the very best in your "saol nua!" And please don't feel sorry for starting an argument, which was really a discussion that led to some very interesting information being shared amongst the members here.

Thank you all for giving me the answers.
"Irish Rover" is the title of an Irish song.

Scríobh Caitríona:

quote:

I'm particularly interested in the spelling 'ar Éireann.'

In comram beus!

http://www.sengoidelc.com/node/75

Sail new-uh should come close enough to be understood. Now wait for the screams from the IPA crowd

Hi Lucy,
It's probably fine in the States.
There might be some confusion in Ireland where we pronounce 'new' as 'nyoo', so maybe
'Sail noo ah' where
'Sail noo ah' rhymes with
'Pale blue ah' and yeah I can't wait for the IPA reactions either. I'm glad you're here Lucy. We need more female company on this site,
Thanks,
C

I would say it as "SEEL NEW-UH".

si:l 'nu:-ə

/se:l no:/ in Munster. so in Hiberno-English "SALE NOR" without "-r"

(Message edited by Róman on April 24, 2006)

Hi Sallyann (if you're still with us!),

Here's a clarification about the pronunciation of "saol". In the south of Ireland, and in Dublin to a large extent, it's sounds something like "sale". In the west (Galway, etc.) and for many Ulster speakers, it's pronounced something like "seal". The pronunciation of the letters "ao", as either /e:/ or /i:/, is one of the major features that disinguish the dialects.

Hi,

saol nua

/si:L Nu:/ Gaeilge Chonamara,

Peter

quote:

/si:L Nu:/

It is interesting that in An Rinn and Corca Dhuibhne pronounciation is /nu:/, whereas in Múscraí and Oileán Chléire /no:/. On the other hand Conamara has it /nu:/. I wonder what is the pronunciation in Iorras and Dún na nGall, as I have suspicion nobody actually says /ua/ in this word.

I' d be happy if someone was so nice to me to translate the following song into English. I know it' s time but I' m patient :)

Have a nice day!

Anna

"SHIVNA
A Bhennáin, a bhúiredáin, a bhéicedáin bhinn
Is bhinn linn in cúicherán do ní tú 'sin ghlinn
A Bhennáin, a bhúiredáin, a bhéicedáin bhinn
Is bhinn linn in cúicherán do ní tú 'sin ghlinn
A dhraighnéin, a dhelgnacháin, (dil, dol, doh, roh day)
A mhinéin na chonaire (dil, dol, doh, ray)
A dhriséoc, a dhruimnechóc (dil, dol, doh, roh day)
A chaillech, a chuirrechennach in raga for ech?
A Bhennáin, a bhúiredáin, a bhéicedáin bhinn
Is bhinn linn in cúicherán do ní tú 'sin ghlinn

Is me Suibhne sirthechán; lúath reithim thar gleann
Nochan é m'ainm dligthechán; mó is ainm dam Fer Benn"

It is interesting that in An Rinn and Corca Dhuibhne pronounciation is /nu:/, whereas in Múscraí and Oileán Chléire /no:/. On the other hand Conamara has it /nu:/. I wonder what is the pronunciation in Iorras and Dún na nGall, as I have suspicion nobody actually says /ua/ in this word.

The same thing occured to me when I saw your posting, is greannmhar an rud é an Caighdeán scaití.

cheers

Anmara,

it's an odd mix of Middle/old Irish and new (and some typos?)

A Bhennáin, a bhúiredáin, a bhéicedáin bhinn
O Bennán, you shouter, you sweet screamer
Is bhinn linn in cúicherán do ní tú 'sin ghlinn
We find the ? sound ? you make in the glen sweet-sounding

A dhraighnéin, a dhelgnacháin, (dil, dol, doh, roh day)
A mhinéin na chonaire (dil, dol, doh, ray)
A dhriséoc, a dhruimnechóc (dil, dol, doh, roh day)
A chaillech, a chuirrechennach in raga for ech?

Some hints:


draighean [ainmfhocal firinscneach den chéad díochlaonadh]
tor deilgneach a dtagann bláth bán roimh an duilliúr air chomh maith le hairní; cuma cholgach; drogall.
A Thorn bush, or thorny temper

dris [ainmfhocal baininscneach den dara díochlaonadh]
tor a bhfásann sméara air; duine cantalach.

(and hence driseog)
A bramble, or a cranky person

cailleach - an old hag

"a chuirrechennach in raga for ech?" I can make no sense of this.

---

Is me Suibhne sirthechán; lúath reithim thar gleann
Nochan é m'ainm dligthechán; mó is ainm dam Fer Benn"

I am sweeney ?, I run quickly over glens

The rest I'm not sure of.

Sweeney is a famous madman, cursed for reasons which escape me - but I'm sure dennis knows!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Sweeney

Are you by any chance getting this from Flann O'Brien?

A Pheadair,

Tá ceist tapaidh agam:

The word "nó" is pronounced /nu:/ as well in Conamara, isn't it? So "nua" and "nó" have fallen together?

Le meas

Dennis,
compared to all the other ropey pictures, yours looks like it has been posed for (in relative terms).

How did you you do it Such ambience!

quote:

Are you by any chance getting this from Flann O'Brien?

From Riverdance! The whole Middle Irish tale, and an English translation, are available at CELT (NUI Cork):

http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/T302018/index.html

The poem in question is in paragraph 40 of the translation.

quote:

other ropey pictures

Níl an focal ropey agam. Maidir leis an bpictiúr, tógadh anuraidh é, nuair a bhí grianghraf ag teastáil uaim le haghaidh an tsuímh Sengoídelc. Cara liom a bhfuil digital camera aige a thóg é.

Thank you everyone for the pronunciations. I really appreciate all your help.

Sallyann

Thank you. :)

What' s the pronunciation of Buile Shuibhne?

What' s the pronunciation of Buile Shuibhne?

:) /`bil’ə `hiv’n’ə/: something like: bwilly hivny

In the South it must be /hi:n’ə/ if I’m not mistaken: heeny , then.




The word "nó" is pronounced /nu:/ as well in Conamara, isn't it? So "nua" and "nó" have fallen together?


Yep. /Nu:/ for both of them.

Cheers.

quote:

In the South it must be /hi:n’ə/

Tá an ceart agat.

quote:

/Nu:/ for both of them.

Do léigheas leabhair chanúint Iorrais agus Tourmakeady (i nGaelainn?) iné. Is "nua" /nu:/ sna canúintíbh seo.

Go léir arís:

Múscraí, Oileán Cléire - /no:/
Corca Dhuibhne, An Rinn, Conamara, Iorras, Tourmakeady - /nu:/.

Tá an suim agam conas athá sé ins an Dún na nGall?

Le meas

FRC

(Message edited by Róman on April 26, 2006)

Tuar Mhic Éadaigh
http://tourmakeady.com/name_tourmakeady.htm