Bilingual transcription: Literature

Bilingual transcription: Litreachas

MURCHADH: Tha an dà sgeulachd ghoirid a leugh mi fìor mhath. Cia mheud a tha thu…

The two short stories I read are very good.  How many have you…

MAIRSILI: Chan eil mi air innse do mhòran an seo gu bheil mi air a bhith a' feuchainn ri sgeulachdan a sgrìobhadh. Tha fios aig Rona, ach smaoinich ‑ mise ‑ a' dol an sàs ann an litreachas.

I’ve not told many people here that I’ve been trying to write stories.  Rona knows but imagine – me – getting involved in literature.

MURCHADH: Na bi gòrach. Carson nach deigheadh? Is iomadh sgrìobhadair a thàinig gu saoghal litreachais, cha mhòr gun fhiosta. Ach 's e an rud as cudromaiche gu bheil e a' còrdadh riut. Carson a dh'iarr thu ormsa an leughadh?

Don’t be daft! Why not? Many writers came to the world of literature almost by accident. But the most important thing is that you enjoy it. Why did you ask me to read them?

MAIRSILI: 'S e tidsear Beurla a th' annad agus thuirt Rona gum biodh tu còir agus onarach.

You’re an English teacher and Rona told me you would be kind and honest.

MURCHADH: Uill, tha stoidhle tarraingeach agad, agus tha na caractaran inntinneach.

Well, your style is appealing and the characters are interesting.

MAIRSILI: Bheil càil sam bith ann a mholadh tu dhomh?

Is there anything you would recommend?

MURCHADH: Smaoinich mun chainnt agus na dealbhan a tha sin a' cruthachadh dhut. Cuideachd, leugh, leugh, agus leugh! Leugh stuth dhaoine eile, gabh tlachd ann ach, dèan beagan de lèirmheas air aig an aon àm. Smaoinich mun bhuaidh a th' aig rosgrannan, paragrafan agus caibideilean air gluasad is astar na sgeòil.

Think about the language and the images that creates for you.  Also, read, read and read! Read other people’s work, enjoy it and do a little bit of review at the same time.  Think about the effect sentences, paragraphs and chapters have on the movement and speed of the story.

MAIRSILI: Hmmm… tha mi tuigsinn. Tha sin gu math cuideachail.

Hmmm… I understand.  That’s quite helpful.

RONA: O seo far a bheil thu, a Mhairsili!

This is where you are, Mairsili!

MAIRSILI: Siuthad, suidh sìos. Tha sinn a' bruidhinn mu sgrìobhadh ficsean. Leugh Murchadh tè no dhà de na sgeulachdan goirid agam.

Go on, sit down.  We’re talking about fiction. Murchadh read one or two of my short stories.

RONA: An rud a b' fheàrr a chòrd riumsa mun deidhinn 's e gun tug iad gàire orm. Tha fios gu bheil e doirbh a bhith eirmseach ann an sgrìobhadh.

The thing I most enjoyed about them was that they made me laugh.  It’s difficult to be witty when you’re writing.

MAIRSILI: Leugh mi an sgeulachd Nach Buidhe Dhut! a sgrìobh Mìcheal Mac a' Mhaoir bho chionn ghoirid. Bha an sgrìobhadair cho math air iomadh dealbh is faireachdainn a chur ann an aon pharagraf agus leth‑dusan seantans.

I read the story How Yellow For You! that Micheal Mac a’ Mhaoir wrote recently. The writer was so good at putting many images and feelings into one paragraph and half a dozen sentences.

MURCHADH: Eirmseachd agus tiamhaidheachd air am fighe ri chèile. 'S caomh leam an tiotal sin. Tha tiotalan sgeulachdan goirid cho cudromach còmhla ris a h‑uile rud eile.

Wit and poignancy knitted together.   Short story titles are so important along with everything else.

RONA: Tha an tiotal fhèin gad tharraing a‑steach! Bheireadh sin ormsa an stòiridh a leughadh!

The title itself draws you in! That would make me read the story.

MAIRSILI: Siuthad ma‑thà. Dall ort

Carry on!