A Canadian request for translation

[canscott]

A little background on myself. My last name is Cameron, my mother's maiden name is McNeil, and my grandmother was the last of family that spoke fluent Scottish Gaelic but is no longer with us..hence the reason i'm asking for a true translation of a saying that i am very much interested in.

..."Live your life and forget your age"

Thanks so much for all those that can help with this....very much appreciated

[Steaphan]

Thig beò, gun chuimhne air d'aois.

or more literally

Thig beò agus/is dìochuimhnich d'aois.

[canscott]

Thank you so much for taking the time and effort to reply Steaphan, i have read past posts and the people that were considering having these "sayings" tattooed, as am i. I have also read the fear of making sure the translation was correct, especially for this reason. Can u tell me which of the two translations i should use, and if not asking too much, any help you can offer with pronunciation would be great...as i will be asked at least once a day what it says and what it means, thanks again Steaphan!...you are a huge help in this matter!

[Crofter]

A literal, word for word, translation would not sound right in Gaelic. The following interpretation conveys the same sentiment even more profoundly.

Be beo ri fad do rè’s do là is diochuimhnich d’aois.


Be beo / ri fad / do rè’s / do là / is / dioch/uimhnich / d’aois

Bee baw / ree fad / dhoh rays / dhoh lhàh / iss /dio-ch/oini-ch(ch-as in loch) / di-ish

Live / all the days of your life / and / forget / your age


If this is not satisfactory please let me know the context in which you intend to use the term. Perhaps another expression could better convey your sentiment. The Gaelic language is rich in sentimental expressions. Grief is no stranger in the history of the Camerons and the McNeils

There’s a forum member called Calum MacNeil, may even be related, who is much more adept than I at translating. Hopefully he will revisit soon and put us right if necessary.