I am quite interested in your point of view on the interpretation of a variation of this quotation, which roughly translates into English as "Don't let the bastards get you down". My personal philosophy has honed this into something of this nature--and I hope this does not insult anyone--[b]"Don't let the ignorant a**holes get you down". [/b]This is a very personal thing, and something that my children have adopted and used as their own. If it is at all helpful, I come from a small village in Western Illinois with purported roots from the South and West of Ireland. Many thanks, and enjoy!

Taking the "Don't let the ignorant a**holes get you down" perhaps:

Ná caill do mhisneach i ngeall ar an bpaca aineolaithe gan mhaith sin.


....or "Don't let ignorant a**holes get you down", perhaps:

Ná caill do mhisneach i ngeall ar aineolaithe gan mhaith.

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Bí cinnte de go nglacfaidh triúr le gach aistriúchán a thabharfar.
Be sure to get three in agreement with a translation given.

Braoin's translations are fine, but maybe a little bit long for a tattoo. Mind you, the English phrase isn't exactly pithy either.

How about a bit of succinct fighting talk,
Ídígí muidne má tá sé ionaibh, a dhalldramáiní!
Wear us down, if you're able, you ignorant gits!
(Actually this's not all that shorter)


And just as a matter of information "Illegitimum non carborundum" does not mean "Don't let the bastards grind you down", in fact it's a meaningless jumble of two Latin words and a brandname.

Noli nothis permittere te terere.
Illegitimis non carborundum (honed into Latin).

I was introduced to the phrase in my first year of Law School (in 1984!), and it has been an inspiration when things are down, which they often tend to seem. The thought of the phrase readily "at hand" (or arm) is a good one, I think.

My research has also exposed the problems with the Latin; as this is something to bolster myself, I thought it would be nice to do it more correctly, and the more so if I run across someone who can actually read the language. And I would hope to, someday soon.

Being averse to pain generally, and needles specifically, brevity is good. Great input, and thanks!

I would definitely suggest you go with a natural sentence rather than a translation of mock-Latin.


It is harder to make it shorter.

Another suggestion -

Ná lig do bhastardaí droch-mhisneach a chuir ort.

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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.
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Another suggestion -

Ná lig do bhastardaí droch-mhisneach a chuir ort.

Literally: Stand your ground against/in the face of those who disrespect you

I LIKE THIS, VERY MUCH. FOUND THE SAME ON ANOTHER FORUM, AND WOULD LIKE A COMPARE AND CONTRAST. HERE IS THE OTHER INTERPRETATION:
Seas an fód in aghaidh dóibh siúd nach bhfuil meas acu ort
Literally: Stand your ground against/in the face of those who disrespect you

A LATER POSTER ADDED THIS COMMENT: "dóibh" shouldn't be there.

THANKS, AGAIN!

Ná lig do bhastardaí droch-mhisneach a chuir ort.

My wife likes this....So, I think we have a winner. Many thanks!

Don't run off getting the ink just yet, a chara! For a tattoo we recommend getting no less than three confirmations for anything permanent. Bríd is an accomplished translator, but even the best can have a wee typo.

Tá mé buartha, a Bhríd.

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I am only a beginner. Please get confirmation before using any of my suggestions.

Not so fast, hombre! Heed pennyrat's wise words. Couple of typical typoes from our Bríd . It should be drochmhisneach (no hyphen) and chur (no i).

Just curious, why does your wife like this?

I'm not a pro with it comes to the aul' hyphenation, but I can give a to a chur.