That was an excellent question to ask, as I have to be honest, I misinterpreted what this tattoo might mean. It could have been interpreted by others - certainly not me - as an invitation to spank!

_________________

LOL!

We need more input on this, folks, now that the meaning has been clarified

Redwolf

Thanks, Redwolf. I appreciate your time on this

I just assumed that the Irish meaning of "bold" was meant, since the word isn't used that much in the US any more. I should have realized that someone in Ireland would probably have known the Irish word already.

The list of possibilities which Red offered looks good to me.

_________________
I'm not a native (or entirely fluent) speaker, so be sure to wait for confirmations/corrections, especially for tattoos.

Those are all good. "Teann" is another good adjective.

Is cailín an-teann mé.


I think one can still use "dána" in this context.
For children the meaning is "naughty". But it also had the other meaning of bold as in brave/daring.

I suppose in a way what you're saying to the child is: you got some nerve if you thing you're getting away with that behaviour.


http://www.teanglann.ie/ga/fgb/dána
(EDIT: ok that link keeps breaking so you'll have to copy and paste the whole address)


But the problem is that for a lot of Irish learners the only meaning they ever learn is the "naughty" meaning so it might be misunderstood. So if you don't want any ambiguity go with Redwolf's suggestions.

Choose one and I'll do another soundfile.

Haigh!

I mo thuairmse (In my opinion)

Is cailín an-dána mé. - I am a very bold girl

OR

Is mise cailín an-dána. A very bold girl is me.

I think they're both fine.

To introduce yourself, you can say..

As gaeilge:
Is mise..'ainm' OR Is 'ainm' mé.
I'm Irish = Is mise Éireannach. OR Is Éireannach mé.

I wouldn't say 'Is mé cailín an-dána . = A very bold girl is I.

Freisin (also), the meaning is clear - saying 'buachaill dána' or 'cailín dána' -
can mean bold, naughty or cheeky - it is generally said to kids, wryly - i.e. don't be cheeky!

I'd probably recommend option 2 and, in either case, consider dropping the 'very' (an-) - it's a better (more common in a good way) expression.

Ach, ní saineolaí mé. Is mise Éireannach ach ní Gaeilgeoir mé.
But, I'm not an expert - Irish but not a native speaker.

Go n-éirí an bóthar leat! (Not literally - I hope your successful).

Also, one thing - the word for 'Irish' in the Irish language is Gaeilge (Gail-guh - guh like 'duh' stupid). Scots have Scots Gaelic but generally don't speak or learn it at school. The most common use of the word 'Gaelic' in Ireland, is in English, for the sport 'Gaelic football' simply called gaelic. Please try to spread this fact .No one in Ireland (or outside of Ireland for that matter) speaks or learns Gaelic, they play it. Cheers!

No, I don't think so.
Is mise ... is usually confined to identification sentences, i.e. the following noun must be definite. (I am the ...)
Is mise an cailín an-dána (I am the very bold girl) is okay.

Féach Graiméar Gaeilge na mB. Críostaí:
"13.15 [...] Ní úsáidtear an forainm pearsanta mar fhaisnéis in abairt aicme."

Mise could be fronted, though it rarely is in such sentences, e.g.
Is mise is cailín an-dána. (It's me who's a very bold girl)



Again, "Is mise Éireannach" (I am an Irish person) is impossible.