Updated 6/6/2015 – Outlander Episode 116 – To Ransom a Man’s Soul – The Gàidhlig Bits I Could Decipher

Great news! The Gaelic is back in a big way this episode. The bad news is that it was way more complicated than what I normally translate. I’m giving it my best shot though and will call in the big guns as needed.

After the rescue

8:22 Jamie to Claire

Leig leam falbh- Let me go die.

8:38 Jamie to Murtagh

Feumaidh tu stad a chur air mo chràdh! – You must put an end to my torment!

Murtagh to Jamie

Chan éist mi ri seo! – I won’t listen to this!

At the Abbey

27:02 Angus to Willie after the story about his uncle

Dùin do chraos! -shut your big mouth!

I know this is what everyone wants but I don’t have anywhere near all of this yet, just some pieces. I’m putting what I have here and if anyone else can pick out more words, please let me know.

UPDATED: Ok. I have this now. Thanks to those who submitted their possible translations (especially Laura and McInnis). I wanted to wait a bit and see if I could get confirmation, but here’s my best shot! Here is a back translation of perhaps one of the most moving passages of the entire show.

27:11 Jamie to Murtagh

 Ciamar as urrainn ​mo leigeil ris a’ chràdh seo​?​ – How ​can I be left to ​this pain?

Murtagh to Jamie

Nì sinn ar dìcheall do leigheas.​ – We shall do our utmost to heal you.

Jamie to Murtagh

Cha ghabh cuid de ​nithean​ leigheas – Some things ​don​’t ​take h​ealing​.

Mar as miann leam, cuir crìoch air seo a-nis. – As is my desire, put an end to this now.

Murtagh to Jamie

Chan ​fhu​ilinn mi ​’n c​òrr. – I’ll suffer no more of this.

Jamie to Murtagh

Chan fhaigh mi seachad air seo. – I won’t get ​past​ this.

An toir ​u orm aslachdainn? – Will you force me to beg?​

Murtagh to Jamie

Thug mi geall do d​’ mhàthair. – I gave a promise to your mother.

​Sìth air a h-anam​. –  Peace on her soul

Nach tig​eadh cron ort​. – That no harm would come to you.​

Jamie to Murtagh

Is anmoch an uair, a ghoistidh -late is the hour, oh godfather​.

Murtagh to Jamie

Agas Claire? – And Claire?

Am bitheadh i na banntrach, air a treigsinn? –  Would she just be a widow, forsaken?

Tha do cheann sa bhrochan. – Your head’s in the porridge (you’re not thinking straight).

Chan eil smaoin agad oirre ann. – You haven’t a single thought for her.

Jamie to Murtagh

Chan eil smaoin agam ann ach oirre-se. – I have​n’t a single​ thought ​of anything but her.

33:32 Willie to Jamie when he walks into Jamie’s room

A Fhrisealaich, bheil u dùisgte? – Fraser, are you awake?

On the beach

51:26  Angus to Murtagh

Air d’ ais, ana-chrìosdaidh -Be off with you, heathen!

On the Cristabel

55:43 Jamie to Claire when she tells him she’s pregnant

Gast’ air fad! – Absolutely brilliant.

With that we’ve reached the end of a marvelous season 1 for Outlander. I’m a bit sad to think that this is the end of the Gaelic episode recaps for the better part of a year. But, I think on #WorldOutlanderDay it is entirely appropriate to thank two people for the part they’ve played in making sure Gaelic language and culture were not given short shrift in the Outlander universe.

First, it was Diana Gabaldon’s brilliance and dedication to grounding her work in the real language and culture of the time period she chose that started a worldwide interest among people who had maybe not given it much thought before. The ultimate vision was hers and it is that vision given such great life in the TV series. However, in that Outlander TV world, it is Àdhamh Ó Broin who deserves our thanks and appreciation for working tirelessly to make sure that authenticity was brought to every scene where Gaelic was spoken.

It was his passion for his culture and history that led him to fight to get or keep every scrap of Gaelic dialogue he could and prevent anything from being a caricature . It was his care and dedication as a teacher that made sure that the actors he worked with were able to learn and perform their lines in such stupendous fashion and, I think in many cases, gain a real appreciation for language and culture they may not have had before. And lastly, it was his generosity as a person that led him to share his time and passion with the countless numbers of Outlander fans through social media. I know I would have probably given up in frustration at ever reaching any understanding of Gaelic without his tireless support and encouragement for a rank beginner. I hope no one will think I take too much on myself when I offer profound thanks on behalf of all of us Outlander fans. Congrats Àdhamh on a brilliant end of season 1 that fittingly includes perhaps the strongest Gaelic scene of the entire season. I know I can’t wait to see what season 2 has in store!

Slàn leat an-dràsta. (Goodbye for now)

P.S. I will keep updating this post as more translation for the scene between Jamie and Murtagh becomes available.

P.S.S. Full transcript now included!!

98 thoughts on “Updated 6/6/2015 – Outlander Episode 116 – To Ransom a Man’s Soul – The Gàidhlig Bits I Could Decipher

  1. Hi,
    this might be a stupid question, but as some of you seem to understand gaelic I was wondering if one of you could help me with an audio message I got? It’s only a few sentences. And it is actually outlander related 😉
    Thank you
    Jojo

  2. My family has been in Cahada since the early 1800s. The Lamonts came from the Isle of Skye in Scotland. They did not take part in the Jacobite uprisings, but that did not stop them from the effects of the Highland Clearances. It amazes me that my great-grandmother’s first language was Gaelic,. I do wish it had been passed down, I would like to learn it., but who would I talk to?

  3. Thank you for the translations! I do think they evoke the emotions of what they are saying so well, but I love learning the language and learning the details of what they say!

  4. Jackie Lochridge DeFoor

    Been reading these books first came out. My Mom and I use to talk about time travel in connection to the blank spots in our genealogy. Since she died in 2005 I’ve been able to feel in some. I was surprised how many were Scottish and how hard those lines are. Jackie

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