Hello all!

I am wanting to get a Gaelic tattoo written in my mom's handwriting, something that will keep us connected. I have several different options I am considering, one of which I have the translation for, and would just be seeking confirmation of it's writing. Three I would need help translating.

Need translating:
1. "The future is not set, there is no fate but what we make for ourselves."
2. "Face the sun, but turn your back to the storm."
3. "There was a star on a dark night."

Have translation:
1. "No door closes without opening another door.
Cha d' dhùin dorus nach d'fhosgail dorus.

Thank you so much for the help! (:

Well, just to get things started, the above is abysmally bad. Where in heaven's name did you find it? Whatever you do, please don't use it!

Redwolf

For the one about the door maybe

Níor dhúnadh (aon) doras riamh nár osclaíodh doras éile.
A door was never closed without another door was opened.

Wait up for more.

No lenition of past tense autonomous (dúnadh), but h prefixed before vowels following níor, nár, sular, etc.

But I would suggest present tense, non-autonomous
Ní dhúnann aon doras sula n-osclaíonn doras eile. = No door closes before another door opens
or:
Nuair a dhúnann doras osclaíonn doras eile. = When a door closes another door opens

Yeah the autonomous mostly resists lenition, but I don't remember ever hearing nár, etc. causing h prefix. Or is it only with the autonomous?


I used the autonomous because the concept of a door closing or opening without the help of an agent doesn't sound right to me, but that's just me being pedantic, I suppose....

I am leaning more towards number 2 and 3 of the not translated phrases! I think the door has just become too much improper grammar on my part at this point haha.

Conas atá tú?

Is this where you got the translation? http://www.smo.uhi.ac.uk/gaidhlig/corpu ... hainn.html

I think that is Scottish Gaelic...

Yes, h-prefix only with autonomous form in many dialects - but not in Standard Irish, so nár osclaíodh is correct.

Many verbs have transitive and intransitive meanings (somebody opens the door, the door opens). The autonomous form implies an agent and is active. And both isn't meant here. I can only compare with French "on" or German "man": "Wenn man eine Tür schließt, öffnet man eine andere" doesn't make much sense because it is not the same person who closes a door and opens another.

@Labhrás
Aha I see. Thanks for that info, learnt something new here.

The fatalistic version - Níor dhún Dia doras riamh nár dhruid sé ceann eile.

Yes it's Scottish Gaelic. SMO is a Gaelic college on the Isle of Skye.

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