144: An t-Seamrag 144: An t-Seamrag
Litir shìmplidh sheachdaineach do luchd-ionnsachaidh le clàr-fuaime, tar-sgrìobhadh is eadar-theangachadh. A simple weekly letter to Gaelic learners with audio, transcription and translation.
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An t-Seamrag
Tha an t-seamrag iongantach. A bheil sibh eòlach air an t-seamraig? ’S e lus a tha innte. Tha i ainmeil ann an Èirinn. Ann an Gàidhlig na h-Èireann ’s e seamróg a chanas iad. Thàinig a’ Bheurla shamrock bhuaithe sin.
Tha cuid ag ràdh gur e Naomh Pàdraig a thug an t-seamrag a dh’Èirinn. Chuir e às do na nathraichean an toiseach. Cha toigh le nathraichean seamragan, a rèir beul-aithris. Chuir Naomh Pàdraig cluaintean dhen t-seamraig ann an Èirinn. Às dèidh sin, cha robh na nathraichean a’ dol a thilleadh!
Ach a bheil e soilleir dè an lus a tha anns an t-seamraig? O shean, b’ e a’ Ghàidhlig air clover – seamar. ’S e seamar beag – seamrag. ’S e an t-seamrag bhàn a chanas Gàidheil na h-Alba ri white clover no Trifolium repens. Tha am facal a’ nochdadh ann an ainmean-àite. Tha Beinn na Seamraig anns an Eilean Sgitheanach agus tha Loch na Seamraig air a’ Pharbh. Tha na h-ainmean sin a’ ciallachadh “clover mountain” agus “clover loch”.
Ach tha lus eile ann air a bheil “seamrag” uaireannan. ’S e sin Oxalis acetosella – the wood sorrel. Tha na duilleagan trì-bhileach, mar a tha duilleagan Trifolium. An e Oxalis no Trifolium a chleachd Naomh Pàdraig ann an leasan mun Trianaid? Uill, chan eil sinn cinnteach. Ach bha an lus aige trì-bhileach. Bha an naomh a’ mìneachadh teagasg na Trianaid. Thuirt e gun robh Athair, Mac agus an Spiorad Naomh fa leth ach nan aon, dìreach mar a tha duilleagan na seamraig.
Bha an àireamh a trì mar rud sònraichte do na pàganaich mu thràth. Ach càite a bheil sin a’ fàgail na seamraig air a bheil ceithir bileagan air gach duilleig? The four-leaved clover. Ann am mòran chultaran, tha e a’ toirt deagh fhortan do dhuine. ’S e a’ Ghàidhlig air four-leaved clover “seamrag nam buadh” – the shamrock of the virtues. Seamrag nam buadh.
Dè nì thu ma lorgas tu seamrag nam buadh? Uill, cuir fod theanga i. Thathar ag ràdh gum faigh thu comasan ùra – comasan mar an dà-shealladh!
Faclan is abairtean: A bheil sibh eòlach air an t-seamraig?: are you familiar with the shamrock?; ’s e lus a tha innte: it [fem] is a plant; bhuaithe sin:from that; a thug an t-seamrag a dh’Èirinn: who took the shamrock to Ireland; chuir e às do na nathraichean an toiseach:he eliminated the snakes to begin with; cha toigh le nathraichean seamragan, a rèir beul-aithris:snakes don’t like shamrocks, according to oral tradition; chuir Naomh Pàdraig cluaintean dhen t-seamraig:Saint Patrick planted meadows of shamrocks; a’ dol a thilleadh: going to return; a bheil e soilleir dè an lus a tha anns an t-seamraig?:is it clear which plant is the shamrock?; air a’ Pharbh: at Cape Wrath (NW Sutherland); tha na h-ainmean sin a’ ciallachadh: those names mean; tha lus eile ann air a bheil “seamrag” uaireannan: there is another plant sometimes called “shamrock”; tha na duilleagan trì-bhileach: the leaves are trifoliate; a’ mìneachadh teagasg na Trianaid: explaining the doctrine of the Trinity; gun robh Athair, Mac agus an Spiorad Naomh fa leth ach nan aon: that Father, Son and Holy Spirit were separate but one; dìreach mar a tha duilleagan na seamraig: just as the shamrock’s leaves are; sònraichte do na pàganaich mu thràth: already special to the pagans; ann am mòran chultaran: in many cultures; deagh fhortan: good luck; seamrag nam buadh: four-leaved clover; dè nì thu ma lorgas tu:what do you do if you find; cuir fod theanga i: put it under your tongue; thathar ag ràdh gum faigh thu comasan ùra: it is said you will gain new abilities; an dà-shealladh: second sight [lit. the two sights].
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Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh
This letter corresponds to Tha an Litir seo a’ buntainn ri Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh 448
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