This is a tattoo that I've been considering for a bit now. It reflects a deep religious belief of mine that one is never aware of being dead, or an afterlife, but that life continues on in other "selves" through reincarnation or multiple incarnation.

I want something with the feel of the English phrase "We Intend Never to Die."

I don't know if this could possibly matter to the translation, but with the word "We" I am referring to "multiple selves" as if who I feel I am in this life is but a leaf on a tree trunk that is my real 'higher self' or soul. So, "We" would be the "leaves"

I greatly apologise for how tacky and new-age-y that must sound, lol. But it is the best metaphor I've found for what I've come to believe, and it is this I intend to commemorate. I merely strive for completeness and accuracy.

The tattooed words will be accompanied by a knotwork tree design, with interlaced animal and human figures.

Any and all help is welcome!
Go raibh míle maith agaibh!

Oh! And what little Irish I do have was aquired via the Pimslur course, so I tend more towards the Munster dialect, if any could help there.

Again, thank you in advance for any help.
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Just a small update, I used Google Translate (which I know is /very/ flawed) and got this:





and another gave me this, which I like the sound of a bit better:




And it back translated okay. I was wondering if this is even close to what I'm looking for?

Just a quick attempt:

Tá sé ar intinn againn gan bás a fháil go deo. "It is our intention never to die."

But definitely wait for improvements ...

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Múinteoir Gaeilge - Irish Teacher
My "specialty" is Connemara Irish, particularly Cois Fhairrge dialect, but I can also speak Ulster and Munster Irish with native-level pronunciation.
Is fearr Gaeilge ḃriste ná Béarla cliste, cinnte, aċ i ḃfad níos fearr aríst í Gaeilge ḃinn ḃeo na nGaeltaċtaí.
Gaeilge Chonnacht (GC), go háraid Gaeilge Chois Fhairrge (GCF), Gaeilic Uladh (GU), Gaelainn na Mumhan (GM), agus Gaeilge an Chaighdeáin Oifigiúil (CO).

Thank you for your help! It is greatly appreciated, and I will be sure to await further confirmation

I am not offering a translation, but posssibly a suggestion to lead to a neater translation. Without losing the meaning, would it be better to translate: 'We intend to live forever'. Seems like it may be more straightforward? Just a thought.....

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Actually, yes! That would work just as well, and perhaps even better. Would this sound more naturalistic or poetic? Easier to translate?

But yes, provided the meaning is maintained, I would be happy with either.

Thanks for the suggestion!

I'm just wondering, Breandán, is there a reason you didn't go for the straight negative?

Níl sé ar intinn againn bás a fháil go deo

I think using Níl looks a bit tidier, maybe

In Munster Irish "a fháil" is "a dh'fháilt", formerly "a dh'fhághailt".The "dh" is guttural, almost like "a gháilt"

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Please wait for corrections/ more input from other forum members before acting on advice

Because I considered that a translation of "We never intend to die", which has a very different meaning.

Compare "We never intend to die (but it happens anyway, and when we least expect it.)" to "We intend never to die", a declaration that "we will make every effort not to die, for ever and ever".

PS: I missed the (GM) comment in the OP altogether (but I'm sure you folks can tweak it that way if it needs it.)

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Múinteoir Gaeilge - Irish Teacher
My "specialty" is Connemara Irish, particularly Cois Fhairrge dialect, but I can also speak Ulster and Munster Irish with native-level pronunciation.
Is fearr Gaeilge ḃriste ná Béarla cliste, cinnte, aċ i ḃfad níos fearr aríst í Gaeilge ḃinn ḃeo na nGaeltaċtaí.
Gaeilge Chonnacht (GC), go háraid Gaeilge Chois Fhairrge (GCF), Gaeilic Uladh (GU), Gaelainn na Mumhan (GM), agus Gaeilge an Chaighdeáin Oifigiúil (CO).

Yes, this is exactly my meaning. I would like a Munster version of this, please

Thank you all for all the help so far!

T(h*)á sé ar intinn againn gan bás a dh'fháilt go deo

(h*), Tá is lenited in Déise Irish (sub-dialect of Munster Irish)

Wait for 3 confirmations!

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Please wait for corrections/ more input from other forum members before acting on advice