Pilot launch of Focal.ie, a new national terminology database for Irish
Those of you with even a passing interest in the Irish language might like to take a look at Focal.ie, an on-line database of nearly 140,000 terms in Irish. It is being developed by some of my colleagues in the School of Fiontar in DCU in partnership with the University of Wales, Lampeter (hence the Welsh language dictionary).
It is not a dictionary, so you will not find the Irish for many simple everyday English words, but you will get the Irish for a vast range of science, technology, economic, political and many other terms (from ‘vertical integration’ to ‘transvestite’). As this is just a pilot version of the website, the development team would greatly appreciate any feedback that Sluggerees might have to offer. Interestingly, the technical manager is a Czech native but fluent Irish speaker!
Speisiuil. Ta me i ndiaidh spleachadh a thabhairt ar agus ta cuma an-mhaith ar fad air. Ta a fhios agam go raibh acmhainn.ie ann cheana ach bhi ga le rud eigin fiorchuimsitheach freisin.
Cuma bhreá air!!
I just checked this out. It’s amazing. This is exactly what the Irish Language needs. Something slick, modern and very accessible. Congrats to all those involved in bringing us this project and heres hoping that it gets all the acclaim it rightfully deserves. Just one comment. The detail on the project information side is a little cluttered. Any chance of organising that as well as the main page. It’d be great to be able to find out more about the people behind the project as well as the future of the project itself.
One last time, Bravo….I’m sure it took some effort putting this togeather. It’s been a long time coming.
Mike.
Cuma bhreá air!!
Tá an ceart agat, a Úna (agus níl mise ar foireann FHIONTAR!)
[postáilte ag Stephen Copeland]
Ultonian Scottis American writes,
If this is OT, please forgive.
I have been trying to find a translation of Caer ar geimiun to no avail. It is from John O’Donovan’s translation of Fleadh Duin Na N-Gadh.
The closest that I’ve found is Ba cáera for gaimen.
Ba cáera for gaimen.
(would be * berries * on * hide)
That would be like (a few) berries on the table.
The image here is of a meager offering, and by extension, of a pointless effort. A “gaimen” or “seiche” (skin or hide) was formerly used to serve food on, and berries didn’t count as lavish hospitality! This proverb is found in “Aislinge Meic Con Glinne”, in a long run of similar images of actions that are fruitless, bootless, or pointless. The even more meager “cáer ar geimiun” (a berry on a hide) is Congal’s opinion of his enemies in “Cath Muighe Rath” (FCG, p. 124). A similar image, but more of a wasted rather than a meager effort, is “ba h-ass for sechid” (that would be like serving milk on a skin) is also found in the run in AMCG. Compare “Ba gat imm gainem” in this collection.
However, O’Donovan refused to translate the phrase, noting, “It has been thought better to leave this phrase untranslated.”
This leads me to think that this is rather more an obscene vulgarity.
Any help is appreciated.
The ability to search in english was genius, as it opens it up to people who are not as hot at the old coopel of fookels.
Sweet.
Simple, elegant, easy to use and much more inviting to meander through than most online resources. Well done!
Nach bhfuil ach comhéadán nua ann do fhoclóirí Foras na Gaeilge?
Is this just a new interface for the Foras na Gaeilge dictionaries?
http://www.acmhainn.ie/nuathearmai.htm
Excellently designed and very unique and useful website, thank you!