Category Archives: How to Speak Outlander

Outlander Episode 111 – The Devil’s Mark – The Gàidhlig Bits I Could Decipher

Well, I think this just may be my favorite episode so far, and I promise I don’t say that lightly. The witch trial sequence and Claire’s decision at the stones is one of my very favorite parts of the book and I was so thrilled to see the adaptation live up to it. 🙂

As for the Gaelic, again there wasn’t a whole lot of it this week. I’m really hoping that we will get more once the scene shifts to Lallybroch next week. I also apologize for taking a bit longer than normal to get this week’s blog post out but I had to consult with the master to get an accurate translation of the one Gaelic phrase in the episode that everyone wanted to know. 😉

Jamie comforting Claire after her confession

46:23 Jamie as he holds Claire

Nach gabh u do shocair, a ghràidh – Won’t you take it easy, dear.

47:18 Jamie calls Claire “dear” again

a ghràidh – dear

 Jamie and Claire by the campfire

49:47 Jamie uses his favorite Gaelic endearment

mo nighean donn – My brown-haired lass

Outlander Episode 110 – By the Pricking of My Thumbs – The Gàidhlig Bits I Could Decipher

I don’t know about all of you, but after the eternity of Droughtlander, the newest episode of Outlander seemed to come almost overnight.  I’m loving the fact that here in the US, Starz is posting the episodes through StarzPlay and OnDemand starting at midnight since I need all the head start I can get. Thanks also to those of you who pick up things I miss or get wrong on the first try! Deciphering Gaelic is definitely a group effort!

Claire’s Morning Wakeup Call (we should all be so lucky)

4:01 Jamie’s exclamation at being interrupted

a Dhia – God/For Heaven’s sake! (Pretty sure the lad was taking the Lord’s name in vain here. Claire had reason to be a bit upset too. 😉 )

 4:24 Jamie goes to let Murtagh in (Almost positive this is a repeat of a slur used in ‘Episode 101 – Sassenach’ as Jamie’s not feeling that kindly towards Murtagh and his not-so-impeccable timing.)

 A bhalgair /ə VALAgir/ (ya bastard!) (filthy cur, really)

4:46 Jamie upon learning of the Duke of Sandringham’s arrival

Gasta! – Great!

6:39 Jamie about wanting to go home to Lallybroch

Broch Tuarach – North Facing Tower (As book readers know, this is Jamie’s official title as Laird of Lallybroch)

The Changeling

22:35 Jamie to Claire to give him the baby

Seo – here

Banquet with the Duke

39:00 Colum and the Duke

Slàinte mhath – Good health/Cheers! (an old favorite)

The Duel

44:35 Jamie to the MacDonalds

Thalla gu h-Iort (Hiort)! –  “to St Kilda with ye!”

Leaving with Dougal

52:02 Jamie to Claire regarding dangerous times

Mo Nighean Donn – My brown-haired lass (Jamie’s favorite endearment. After Sassenach, that is.)

That’s it for the Gaelic this week. If anyone has anything I missed, don’t hesitate to post a comment or send me a tweet at @GreatScotBlog!

Outlander Episode 109: The Reckoning – The Gàidhlig Bits I Could Decipher

Congratulations Outlanders! Our long international nightmare, otherwise known as #Droughtlander, is over (for most of us) and we have survived! The Gàidhlig in this episode, while not plentiful, should prove as a nice refresher for a couple of words and phrases we learned from the first half of the Outlander season.

Return from rescuing Claire

19:39  Rupert to Dougal and the others at the inn

 Ciamar a tha sibh! – Greeting: How are you (plural)!

     Angus to the crowd

Tulach Ard! – MacKenzie war cry

Think again

36:14  Jamie’s response to Claire refusing the bed

 OK. I’ve been corrected here. I thought he was saying ‘Glè mhath. – Very well’ but I’ve gone back and listened again and think Mhairi and Michelle are right. Jamie is actually saying oidhche mhath – Good night.

Oidhche mhath – Good night.

 Also, LearnGaelic retweeted their 20 words post centered around Outlander. It’s a nice refresher with some sound files for names, etc.

Like I said at the start, the Gàidhlig this week wasn’t bountiful, but here’s to looking for more in the weeks to come!

Outlander Season 1A Episodes 101-108 Gàidhlig Roundup

With Outlander launching on Amazon UK Prime Instant Video this week, I thought it might be a good time to have a post that consolidates the links to all of the episode posts I did deciphering a bit of the Gaelic from each episode.

Episode 101 – Sassenach – http://wp.me/p4jvVh-li

Episode 101 – Sassenach Follow-up – https://greatscotblog.com/2014/08/11/outlander-episode-101-more-gaidhlig-bits/

Episode 102 – Castle Leoch http://wp.me/p4jvVh-ms

Episode 103 – The Way Out http://wp.me/p4jvVh-mI

Episode 104 – The Gathering http://wp.me/p4jvVh-n8

Episode 105 – Rent http://wp.me/p4jvVh-nA

Episode 106 – The Garrison Commander http://wp.me/p4jvVh-nW

Episode 107 – The Wedding http://wp.me/p4jvVh-o8

Episode 108 – Both Sides Now http://wp.me/p4jvVh-ow

I hope this helps those new to the series!  And for those who have been following all along, don’t worry! I’ll be continuing my attempts at translation into the second half of the season as well!

Àdhamh’s American Adventures: Seattle and Sacramento

For those who may not have heard, Outlander’s own Gaelic expert has arrived on our American shores. And judging from the pictures coming out of his first two stops in Seattle and Sacramento, much fun is being had by all involved.

First up: Seattle

While in Seattle, Àdhamh had the opportunity for a wee tour about the city’s famous sites before settling into the main event. Thanks to Wendy Nay and Kay’ee Pipkin for the great photos!

Riding the pig at Pike Place Market
On top of the world…I mean the Space Needle!
The man just can’t pass by an instrument
Everyone loves their name on a marquee, right?
Maybe we should start with introductions…
Counting to ten….
I might better sit down, this may take a while!

Next up was the handoff to NorCal and Àdhamh had his very own welcoming party at the airport!

Next up was a visit to Good Day Sacramento for a bit of a chat with the hosts and maybe teach them a wee bit of the Gaelic.

And then the host tried to teach Àdhamh some southern slang. Guess he didn’t know how in love with Southern culture Àdhamh already is!

Be sure to watch the full video of the segment here:

Good Day Sacramento Part 1

Good Day Sacramento Part 2

Can’t wait to see what adventures Àdhamh gets up to next! After Sacramento, Àdhamh will be visiting Los Angeles, Salt Lake City and Colorado Springs.  For those interested in attending an event in those cities, you can find information here:

Àdhamh Tour Info

For those not able to make it to these tour stops, don’t lose heart! Àdhamh has plans to visit other areas in the USA in the future!

P.S. That second segment of the Good Day Sacramento piece reminds me that I haven’t done the blog post on Southern colloquialisms I promised. I will get that done soon!