Getting ahead of ourselves
A' dol seachad air ar seanchas
Let's have a look at this discussion. By the end of this section, you will have learned some valuable phrases that you can use in lots of different conversations.
Abair gun do chòrd a' bhùth-obrach sgrìobhaidh rium, Anna. Cuin a bhios tè eile ann?
I so enjoyed the writing workshop, Anna. When will there be another one?
Chan eil mi buileach cinnteach, ach bidh cothroman eile sgeulachdan a sgrìobhadh—agus innse. Bidh sinn ri seanchas fhathast mu deidhinn.
I'm not entirely sure, but there will be other opportunities to write—and tell—stories. We'll keep in touch about it.
Cha tàinig e a-riamh a-steach orm gum faighinn toileachas à sgrìobhadh. Chòrd e rium a bhith a' cur ceann is casan air sgeul.
It never occurred to me that I would get enjoyment from writing. I liked creating [putting] a beginning and end to a story.
Agus thèid sgeulachdan innse tro iomadh meadhan: filmichean, prògraman tbh is rèidio, geamaichean—agus na dìochuimhnichibh am meadhan a th' air a bhith aig mac an duine bho thùs—seanchas.
And stories can be told through many media: films, television and radio programmes, games—and don't forget the medium that mankind has had from the beginning—storytelling.
Tuigidh mise a-nis carson a bha seanchas, tòimhseachain is seanfhacail cho cudromach agus cho tlachdmhor do dhaoine.
I now understand why stories, riddles and proverbs were so important to and so enjoyable for people.
Dh’aithnichinn gur e cur-seachad no dibhearsain a bh' ann anns na bliadhnaichean a dh'aom.
I’d recognise [understand, acknowledge] that it was a pastime or entertainment in years gone by.
Chan e a-mhàin cabadaich, cur-seachad no dibhearsain a bh' ann, ach còmhradh, naidheachd is oideachadh cuideachd.
It was not only chat, a pastime or entertainment, but also conversation, news and education.
Sin e dìreach! Anns na làithean a dh'aom, bhiodh seanchas is beul-aithris feumail do bheairteas bheul-chainnte, don mhac-meanmna agus don chuimhne—agus iomadh rud eile.
That's just it! In the olden days, storytelling and folklore would be useful for the richness of spoken language, imagination and memory—and many other things besides.
Tha cuimhn' agam air piuthar mo sheanmhar, Seasaidh an Tàilleir. 'S e ban-sgeulaiche air leth a bh' innte. Chuireadh ise blas air a seanchas—a h uile turas!
I remember my great-aunt [grandmother's sister], Seasaidh an Tàilleir (Jessie, daughter of the Tailor). She was an exceptional storyteller. She would add spice to her story—every time!
An ise piuthar do sheanmhar taobh do mhàthar, no taobh d' athar?
Is she your great-aunt [grandmother's sister] on your mother's side [maternal], or on your father's side [paternal]?
'S ann taobh m' athar a bha Seasaidh. 'S e Seasaidh Dhòmhnaill Eòghainn Sheumais a bh' oirre.
Seasaidh (Jessie) was on my father's side. Her name was Seasaidh Dhòmhnaill Eòghainn Sheumais (Jessie, daughter of Donald, son of Ewan, son of James).
Co-dhiù, a chàirdean, tha sinn a' dol seachad air ar seanchas! Agus a' bruidhinn air seanchas, a bheil seanchas aig duine mu Phìobaire Òg Uibhist a Deas?
Anyway, friends, we're getting ahead of ourselves! And speaking of that [seanchas], does anyone know any tales about The Young Piper of South Uist?