Hello,

I would like to get a tattoo in memory of my mom. She was a huge Bruce Springsteen fan and this was her favorite song. I'd like to have it in Gaelic because two years ago we went to Ireland together and I'll always remember how happy she was during this week we spent travelling.
I started learning Gaelic here in Munich a few years ago - unfortunately I didn't get much practise.

So please, if you could translate:

'If I should fall behind'

Also I'd love to have this translated:

'People destined to meet will do so, apparently by chance, at precisely the right moment.'

Thank you in advance!
Suneye

I assume that you mean Irish, not Gaelic. Gaelic these days almost always refers to Scottish Gaelic, a closely related but separate language (think of the relationship between Spanish and Portuguese, as one of the regulars here often says).

If I should fall behind
Dá dtitfinn chun deiridh

I suspect the second one is going to end up being very long in Irish. When moving from one language to another, it isn't always possible to be as brief in one as in the other. If someone else hasn't come up with it by then, I'll try to help later on, when I have more time.

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

There's a minor error in Caoimhín's answer above.
Dá dtitfinn chun deiridh.
You could also say: Dá dtitinn chun deiridh.

(If the sense you wish to convey is closer to 'If (do) fall behind' - there's a possibility I will in some upcoming circumstance, it would be:
Má thitim chun deiridh.)


A bit awkward this one , especially to give a succinct equivalent. My attempt (quite a literal translation):
Daoine go bhfuil sé i ndán dóibh bualadh lena chéile - buailfidh siad lena chéile, de sheans de réir cosmhalachta,
go díreach san am ceart.

(I wonder if it would be possible to phrase it 'daoine gur dán dóibh...'? (i.e. using the copula))

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(SL)(GM)

Yes, I've corrected it. I was writing dá and thinking má, but I think dá is better.

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

Thank you all so far!

"(If the sense you wish to convey is closer to 'If (do) fall behind' - there's a possibility I will in some upcoming circumstance, it would be:
Má thitim chun deiridh.)"

Yes, it is meant as 'If I do fall behind'.
The song goes like this:

...And I'll wait for you
If I should fall behind
Wait for me...

I think the first part should be even simpler than that. I couldn't formulate it in Irish (I'd be able to have a crack at it in ScG) but hyperliterally, it would be along the lines of:

will-meet those-who are destined (to-meet)

Reworking what you wrote (and remembering that my Irish is practically non-existent)
Buailfidh lena chéile cé is sé dán dóibh

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A language belongs to its native speakers, and when you speak it, you are a guest in their homes.
If you are not a good guest, you have no right to complain about receiving poor hospitality.

I think that is correct, but I'd say it slightly differently- a tiny bit shorter.

Casadh na daoine lena chéile má tá sé i ndán dóibh, de sheans de réir cosmhalachta, go díreach ag an am ceart.






Does falling behind mean you are in the back/last position? Or just a bit further back than the main group? If not then you can also say -
"Má thitim siar"

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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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[/quote]

Does falling behind mean you are in the back/last position? Or just a bit further back than the main group? If not then you can also say -
"Má thitim siar"[/quote]

Yes, I think it means falling just a bit back. I hope you don't mind if I post the whole song lyrics:


"If I Should Fall Behind"

We said we'd walk together baby come what may
That come the twilight should we lose our way
If as we're walking a hand should slip free
I'll wait for you
And should I fall behind
Wait for me

We swore we'd travel darlin' side by side
We'd help each other stay in stride
But each lover's steps fall so differently
But I'll wait for you
And if I should fall behind
Wait for me

Now everyone dreams of a love lasting and true
But you and I know what this world can do
So let's make our steps clear that the other may see
And I'll wait for you
If I should fall behind
Wait for me

Now there's a beautiful river in the valley ahead
There 'neath the oak's bough soon we will be wed
Should we lose each other in the shadow of the evening trees
I'll wait for you
And should I fall behind
Wait for me
Darlin' I'll wait for you
Should I fall behind
Wait for me

I agree it should definitely be simpler.
Could you give a SG version? It might suggest something that could work in Irish.


Perhaps something like:
Buailfidh lena chéile na daoine gurb é a ndán é ....
Buailfidh lena chéile na daoine gur dán dóibh é ....

(Buailfid or Buailfidh siad in place of Buailfidh ??)
(In Connacht and Ulster it would be arb & ar instead of gurb & gur above.)

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(SL)(GM)

Yes, that's much neater. Should it not be Casfar?
Also, would you feel a distinction between lena chéile and le chéile?

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(SL)(GM)