Hi everyone,

I was referred to these boards from the Irish Gaelic Translation forums, and I'm looking for a user named Dennis King who I've heard teaches Old Irish.

I'll keep it brief, but basically I'm writing a fictional novel set in rural Ireland, and I'm looking to have a single phrase translated from English to Old Irish.

The phrase I'm looking to translate is:

"There are some places in this world man was never meant to go."

I've purposefully kept the contextual details regarding the quote vague, because I knew I might have to alter them depending on the fluency of the translator. However, here are some descriptors I would like to keep if at all possible:

- The plot calls for the phrase to be engraved in a piece of fossilized wood around 650-750 A.D.

- Originally written by a Celtic druid turned Christian priest at the time of his conversion.

- The quote is proverbial in nature.

The first two aren't central to the story, so they can be worked around if it makes the translation easier.

With the help of the Irish Gaelic Translation forums, I was able to get the following translation, although I have no idea whether or not it is even close to correct:

"Attá alaili luicc isind bhiuth cé, conna-boí hi n-dán dosnaib doínib dul"

Thank you so much in advance!

Jay

Gheobhaidh tú Dennis anseo:

http://listserv.heanet.ie/cgi-bin/wa?LIST=OLD-IRISH-L

. . . agus anseo:
http://www.sengoidelc.com/

I'm sorry I don't speak any Irish at all yet :( I'm trying to learn though.

Can you write that in English maybe?

Err actually I think I see what you're saying :) I'll try to contact Dennis on the sengoidelc site.

quote:

although I have no idea whether or not it is even close to correct:

"Attá alaili luicc isind bhiuth cé, conna-boí hi n-dán dosnaib doínib dul"

Aye, it's me who made that attempt (i use another nickanme on Irish gaelic translation forum). You're right to ask Dennis, because althoug i'm fluent in modern irish, i'm not so good at Old Irish... it's so complicated (especially to translate from english to old irish, no dictionary has been made for that)...

Yeah I can't thank you enough for your help Lughaidh :) I've been searching for this translation for over 2 months now and I feel like I may be finally getting somewhere.