Hi everyone,

I would love to be able to sing Fhir an Bhata (The Boatman) in it's original Gaelic version. This is one of the most beautiful songs ever. I can find the translation to English with no problems and just a little Googling. But what I can't find is advice on Gaelic pronunciation. And it's not one of those languages that can be pronounced correctly just from reading it, that's for sure!

Does anyone know of a website or other resource where I can find out how to pronounce the Gaelic properly?

Any advice most gratefully received.
Thank you.



Amber
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for starters... this looks good

(is it Irish or Scottish Gaelic?)

I think once you know the way it works it's probably more logical/regular than English, as far as I understand it. This looks like a sight that's specifically meant for what you want though so I hope it helps.

Hi there,

I am a linguistics professor and although I specialise in Asian languages, I also speak scots Gaelic (family connections) so could help you with scottish pronunciation if that's any help?

Allan

Not a gaelic speaker Amber, but how good is your phonetics.

If I have to sing in a language I dont know, I try to get a phonetic transcription together with a word for word translation,

Maybe Allan could help you there. Lingusitics professors are normally good at phonetics!

Thank you all for your replies.

Sarah, the website is great, so long as the song is Irish Gaelic! Thank you for tracking it down for me.

Allan, thank you for your offer of help if it's Scottish. Do these lyrics give you any indication....

Is tric mi 'sealltainn o'n chnoc a's airde
Dh'fheuch am faic mi fear a' bhata
An tig thi an diuigh no'n tig thu amaireach?
'S mur tig thu idir gur truagh a ta mi

Fhir a' bhata na hor ro eile (repeat three times)
Mo shoraidh slan leat 's gach ait' an teid thu

Tha mo chridhe-sa briste, bruite
'S tric na deoir a' ruith o m'shuilean
An tig thu a-nochd no'm bi mo chuil riut
No'n duin mi'n dorus le osna thursaich?

'S tric mi 'faighneachd de luchd nam bata
Am fac' iad thu no 'bheil thu sabhailt'
Ach 's ann a tha gach aon dhiubh 'g raitinn
Gur gorach mise ma thus mi gradh dhut

Jod, I think you're right. If I can get hold of a phonetic transcription that would really help. I use phonetics with my german and italian songs.


Thank you all again. I really appreciate your help with this.



Amber
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Fra as I can work out from my googling, it's Scottish, though Allan presumably will have more idea of that

try here

and here

that will probably keep you entertained for the mo

Oh gawd!
Thank you for these. Keeping me entertained is a good way of putting it. I think I better come at them fresh in the morning though!!!! Thanks for finding them, and wish me luck!



Amber
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Maybe just keep you out of mischief?

Hope they're helpful - good luck indeed!

Its Irish dudes..................

The fear ne bhata is pronunced

ir a vata na ho ri ella (x3)

It's Scottish Gaidhlig, actually - you can tell this by the use of the word 'mi' as opposed to 'me' in irish and the verb to be being expressed as 'tha' instead of 'ta' as it more frequently is in Irish dialects.

If you want a phonetic transcription, I could probably do one in phonetic script and make it into a PDF, if you like? Do you read IPA?

Allan

Hi Allan,

That would be fantastic, if you're sure you don't mind. My apologies for not replying sooner, but I haven't been online, so I've only just spotted your reply. I've also come across the lyrics from the CD version which I heard (which is how I fell in love with the song in the first place). Would it be alright if I gave you those lyrics instead of the ones printed above? That way I would be able to use both the IPA transcription and the CD together, and I think the combination of audio as well as visual references will be what I need in order to sing it accurately. Although the CD is very good, it's not clear enough (well not to my ears anyway) for me to pick it up just from the audio.

I would very much like to sing this song for my Grade 7 unaccompanied folk song, so I am so grateful for any help you can give me.



Amber
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Of course - send them to me as a PM if you like.

Allan

Hi Allan,

Many thanks for your kind offer. I will PM the lyrics to you as suggested. I am away now on holiday and work, so it will be when I return.

Have a lovely Easter,



Amber
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You too - enjoy your holiday!

Allan