I would like to get a tattoo to honor both my wife and my Irish heritage. I would like the tattoo to say "Christine is the pulse of my heart". I was told on another forum that the correct translation is:

Crístíona cuisle mo chroí

Before I commit to ink, I would just like some additional confirmation that this is indeed grammatically correct.

First, let me ask if you really want to render your wife's name in its Irish form. We generally advise using the form of the name the person him or herself actually uses. Irish names aren't "translations," anymore than "Jean" is a translation of "Joan"...they're different names from the same root.

Assuming you want to go with "Cristíona," as far as I know the only accent is over the second "í."

Regardless of which name you use, I'd phrase it:

Is í Christine/Cristíona cuisle mo chroí

Or, if you want it to sound like you're speaking to her rather than about her:

A Christine/Christíona, a chuisle mo chroí

(Note: Those "h's" in the name and in "chuisle" above aren't typos...they're required by the grammar in that particular sentence)

Wait for more input, please.

Redwolf

Regardless of which name you use, I'd phrase it:

Is í Christine/Cristíona cuisle mo chroí

Or, if you want it to sound like you're speaking to her rather than about her:

A Christine/Christíona, a chuisle mo chroí

(Note: Those "h's" in the name and in "chuisle" above aren't typos...they're required by the grammar in that particular sentence)

Thank you for your reply. I was aware of the difference in grammar and the inclusion/absence of the "h" based upon whether I'm speaking to her or about her....I am leaning towards "speaking about her".

I was told on the Irish Gaelic Translation Forum that the "Is í" may be left out of this type of sentence under certain circumstances...is this true?

As for rendering my wife's name in its Irish form, I have gone back and forth....the Irish form is so lovely and unique, but you are right, it's not "really" her name....

The Irish form is pronounced, roughly, "Krish-TEE-uh-nuh" (it's very like "Christina"). Might be worth asking her which SHE'D prefer. If she likes the Irish form, that would be the way to go.

I'd be careful of anything you get from IGTF. There aren't really any solid translators left there anymore (that's probably why you ended up with the typo in "Cristíona"). We all came over here when it was sold to an English concern, which turned it into a spam-ridden wasteland. In fact, that's why this forum was formed.

(Oh, and by the way...I highly recommend you run an anti-malware scan if you've spent any time over there)

You can leave out the "is í" in certain circumstances, but the sentence is clearer with it there (i.e., it's obvious you're saying "Christine IS the pulse of my heart" and that you haven't just made the mistake of not using the correct vocative form). My inclination would be to leave it in for that reason. But wait for others to weigh in.

Redwolf

Lots of good information, thank you again!

I got Crístíona (vs. Cristíona) from both IGTF and also namenerds.com....I'm researching this on as many sites as possible, since I'm going to be wearing it for a long time...

As you have suggested, I'm waiting for multiple confirmations before I commit to anything.

Sean

Could we get some more eyes on this, please?

Redwolf

What Redwolf said




It's not a name I've heard spoken before. But I'd imagine it would be pronounced along the same lines as the male form "Christian" i.e. "Criostóir/Cristóir". So no fada on the first "i". But I'm not sure.

OK thanks!

I talked with my wife, and we both agreed that the name she actually uses (Christine) is more appropriate than the Irish form...so that also eliminates any possible errors with the fadas...

So I just need some additional confirmation of the grammar below, and then I can start working on the design:

Is í Christine cuisle mo chroí

As I have started to plan out the design of my tattoo, I'm thinking about changing the concept a bit....instead of just honoring my wife, I think I want to add the rest of my family (children and grandchildren) into the mix as well...

I'm thinking of a design where I have roses and shamrocks to represent each of my family members, with room to grow as more babies are born....at the center of the design, I would like it to simply say "The pulse of my heart", in reference to my ENTIRE family, not just my wife.

How would I phrase this? Does the grammar/spelling change since I am referring to more than person?

I think I'd leave it the same, since you're saying, basically "these are the pulse of my heart"...you don't have multiple pulses, just multiple people who make your heart go pitter-pat! And since you're not addressing them, I'd go with plain old:

Cuisle mo Chroí

Wait for more.

Redwolf