I want to name a tune i recently wrote for a friend who is scottish, but i haven’t got a clue where to look for help with a translation from english to scottish gaelic. can anyone help? 
Yes, Alcona, I can help you. Not personally, but I have a brilliant brother who knows the language and would be happy to translate something. Post it here, or pm me, and I’ll email him for a response.
thank you emmline! 
the name is “the rock(or mountain? hill?) that shelters me” i really appreciate this. my friend has been helping me out during a really rough time. this is the only thing i can think of to thank him
email going out tonight. Expect me to get back to you in a day or two.
That’s great! Again, thank you very much.
On a similar note. I spend a lot of time learning Irish Trad standards and am sure I’m not pronouncing them right when I tell people the names of the tunes. Is there anywhere to look for the phonetically (sp?) spelled pronunciation?
I’m a regular participant on an Irish Gaelic translation forum, and we’re always happy to help with pronunciations. Be warned…pronunciations can vary CONSIDERABLY depending on the dialect (which is why even dictionaries generally don’t give pronunciations), but we have people on the forum who have solid knowledge of all the dialects. Feel free to pop in at http://www.irishgaelictranslator.com/translation/ any time.
BTW, this is exactly why I started learning Irish…I wanted to be able to pronounce tune names! Warning…the language is almost as addictive as “WhOA”!
Redwolf
Perhaps those who read my favorite websites in that other thread may have noticed this one:
It’s the website for Sabhal Mor Ostaig, Britain’s only Scottish Gaelic-medium tertiary-level educational institution. Check out their webpage. Please.
Lots of great stuff on learning Scottish Gaelic and lots of useful links for Irish as well. There are several Gaelic online dictionaries that may prove useful to you if you need to find a word or two. I took a Gaelic course there about five years ago and I’m just dying to go back there…
And as if that’s not enough, current ceoltoir (musician in residence) Iain MacDonald does great flute and whistle workshops there during the summer.
Thanks for those links! 
They will be very useful. One of these days I would love to be able to take a course. Someday anyway
Alcona
Thanks Redwolf and Pitchfork! Now when I learn the proper names of the songs, everyone will think I learned a whole new set !
I see that you get folks asking for translations for tattoos. I’ve seen some really nasty translations offered the unwary on sci.lang.japan–and heard some very funny stories about others.
I’ve seen those too! In fact, I’ve known a couple of people who got tattoos in Asian characters and later learned that they say something rather different than what they thought!
We don’t do that. We’re very careful to give the best translations, and always ask people who are doing something permanent, such as a tattoo or a wedding ring engraving, to wait for confirmation from a couple of members of the group at least before proceeding. Though I have occasionally joked that a great line for a tattoo would be “if you can read this, please tell me what it says!” 
I like to hang out there because it’s a great place to learn. I’m at the point where I can sometimes offer help on simple translations, but also make sure that visitors know I’m a beginner. There’s nothing like actually using a language to help you learn it!
Redwolf
Are you refering to “miss” Spears? she had the Japanese charactor for “Unique” tattooed on her back. But it realy says “strange” lmao the second one is more accurate. That’s why I stick to pictures. Everyone “knows” what a Celtic knot is… even if they don’t “know” the meaning. Most people don’t “know” what a triscele is though… So I’m constantly having to explain that it is not a “3 sided yin-yang!”
Cy
Alcona,
I don’t know if you’ve found what you are looking for yet but my husband is from Scotland and I asked if he could help with your translation question. He didn’t know rock or hill but he said that mountain = ben. Aye, he’s a wee lackin’ in the Gaelic but it’s a fine accent he has, Lad. 
Peace,
Fran
Ooops! That should be Lass…beg pardon. 
Peace,
Fran
HeHe! No problem Fran. My board name isn’t very descriptive Thanks for the help. After a little more searching, the i’ve found out that the rock/hill/mountain in question is considered a hill i think. It is called Meall an t-Suidhe, which i wanted to use as the first part of the name for the tune.
When I get it named, i will post the tune here.
Thanks,
Alcona
Sounds lovely. I’ll look forward to it. Hill walking (or hiking to us Yanks) seems to be a precious passtime for the Scots. So I’m sure the name will be just right.
Peace,
Fran
PS - The Scottish mountains are what my husband misses most…he’s still quite homesick for them. CT doesn’t even have a remote substitute…poor lad. 
Alcona…have not heard from my gaelic speaking bro yet. Perhaps he’s tied up with work, or having a major ADD attack. Not unusual. I’m sure a name can be conjured up from some source or other, but if I get any feedback I’ll let you know.
Thanks Emmline Don’t worry about it I’m not in any huge hurry. I will try to check out some other sources in the mean time. Thanks again.
Alcona
Hi Alcona,
I contacted an acquaintance in the old country, who
forwarded your request to an acquaintance at Sabhal Mór Ostaig
(Caoimhín Ó Donnaíle) who provided the Scots Gaelic translation
you asked for:
“the rock that shelters me” is
“A’ chreag a tha cur fasgadh orm”
mar sin leibh,
Cailean