Hi all,

As I mentioned in another thread, I'm translating a children's book written by a friend from English into Irish. A pirate has just yelled "There she blows!"

I believe that this phrase originated with whale-hunting, i.e. they could see the whale blowing from his/her blowhole. In this case, using his telescope, the pirate has spotted someone in the distance escaping in an air balloon.

How would you translate this phrase into Irish?

Thank you all so much,

Mary.

Tá sí ag séideadh (thall ansin) !


"There she blows" is idiomatic in English. People know it refers to whales without having to explain it. But if you say "Tá sí ag séideadh thall ansin" referring to a hot air balloon will people see the connection at all?

_________________
___________________________________________________________

It is recommended that you always wait for three to agree on a translation.
I speak Connemara Irish, and my input will often reflect that.
I will do an mp3 file on request for short translations.
___________________________________________________________

Yeah, I don't think saying there (dare) she blows while referring to a hot air balloon makes sense in English or Irish.

If I saw a hot-air balloon, I'd probably say;

Balún te (focal.ie) thall ansin (CO)

Féachaigí an balún te thall ansin (CO)

If saw a whale blowing out air and I wanted to describe that in Irish, I'd probably say;

Tá an míol mór ag spalpadh thall ansin (CO)

Féachaigí an míol mór agus é á spalpadh thall ansin (CO)

Tá sé ag spalpadh thall ansin (CO)

_________________

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