My father used to end every phone conversation with "I love you, I love you, I love you". I'm looking to incorporate that in a new tattoo along with the Celtic sign for father and daughter in memory of my dad who passed away a few months back. What is the translation for this and is there any way of keeping it brief (for the sake of space) and still keep the meaning?

Well, to start, I hate to burst your bubble, but there is no such thing as "the Celtic sign for father and daughter." That kind of thing is made up by 21st century greeting card manufacturers, T-shirt makers, and jewelers to sell merchandise, and has no bearing in reality. If you like the look of the design, that's fine, but you need to know going in that there's nothing remotely authentic about it.

The Celts weren't even a single people, so why these manufacturers seem to think they'd all use some kind of universal set of "signs" is beyond me. In reality, there are very few "signs" that were used by the Irish (such as the harp, the salmon, the hound, etc.), and they weren't signs for concepts.

As far as "I love you" goes, the shortest way I know how to say it is "Mo ghrá thú," but I'm not certain it would be used for a father and a daughter...perhaps others can comment on that. It's used between lovers, and I've heard it used in reference to love for God, but I'm not sure about a less passionate love. Let's let others weigh in.

Outside of that, perhaps "Tá grá agam duit." Or you could take the spirit of the phrase rather than the exact wording and use an Irish endearment, such as "A stór" or "A chuisle." Or even just "Le grá" ("with love").

Wait for more.

Redwolf

I appreciate the information about Celtic symbols, I was unaware of that. That definitely sheds new light on my plan. Thanks.

Ah well...it is what it is. These sites that prey on peoples' desire to connect with their heritage by handing out false information really are criminal.

That said, there's a lot of beautiful and real Irish artwork out there (knot work, for example) that you can incorporate into a tattoo. And you're taking a really good step by incorporating the Irish language!

"I love you" is easy enough...the challenge is getting it in a short form that would be used between a father and daughter. "Mo ghrá thú" may very well be just fine...let's wait for more input.

Redwolf

Mo chroí thú is something I've heard used quite often when talking to children, so I suppose Mo ghrá thú would also be likely.