Seanfhaclan 4: Fàilte! Aoigheachd, biadh agus deoch.
Mar a tha fios againn, tha dualchas aoigheachd fada is làidir againn air a’ Ghàidhealtachd – bhiodh riamh fàilte is biadh a’ feitheamh air luchd-tadhail sam bith a thàinig chun an dorais, ged nach biodh mòran agaibh fhèin san taigh, no ged nach biodh sibh ro mheasail orrasan no air a’ chinneadh aca. Agus nuair a bha subhachas sam bith ann, mar bhanais no baisteadh, cha robh caomhnadh air cosgais. Ach aig an aon àm b’ fheudar dhan fhear-an-taighe an aire a thoirt dha na taobhan practaigeach – m.e. biadh, deoch, luchd-chiùil a chur air dòigh agus a phàigheadh – agus mhothaicheadh e cuideachd nuair a bha neach-tadhail a’ mì-ghnàthachadh fhialaidheachd. Mar a shaoileadh sibh, cha bhiodh an fhàilte ceart cho blàth air gach fear, ged b’ fheudar fàilte a bhith ann. Chì sinn a h-uile rud anns na seanfhaclan a leanas – agus iad uile ceart cho fìor an-diugh ’s a bha iad riamh. .
Gaelic proverbs 4: Welcome! Hospitality, food and drink
As we know, we have a long, strong tradition of hospitality in the Highlands – there would always be a welcome and food waiting for any visitor who came to the door, even if you didn’t have much in the house for yourselves, or if you weren’t particularly fond of them or their clan. And when there was any kind of celebration, like a wedding or christening, no expense was spared. But at the same time the hosts had to pay attention to the practical aspects – e.g. to organise and pay for food, drink and musicians – and they would notice when a guest was abusing their generosity. It’s only to be expected that not everyone got an equally warm welcome , though a welcome there had to be. We see all of this in the proverbs which follow – all as true to today as they ever were.
1. Furain an t-aoigh a thig, greas an t-aoigh tha falbh.
Welcome the coming, speed the parting guest.
2. Am fear a thig gun chuireadh, suidhidh e gun iarraidh.
He who comes uninvited will sit down unasked.
3. Ge milis a’ mhil, cò dh’imlicheadh o bhàrr dri i?
Honey may be sweet, but who would lick it off a briar?
4. Bidh an t-ubhal as fheàrr air a’mheangan as àirde.
The best apple is on the highest bough
5. ’S fheàrr iasg beag na bhith gun iasg idir.
A little fish is better than no fish at all.
6. Gluais faicilleach le cupan làn.
Move carefully with a full cup.
7. Cha deoch-slàint, i gun a tràghadh.
It’s no health if the glass is not emptied.
8. Ge milis am fìon, tha e searbh ri dhìol.
The wine is sweet, the paying bitter.
9. Cha dèan ‘Tapadh leis an fhìdhlear’ am fìdhlear a phàigheadh.
A ‘thank you’ doesn’t pay the fiddler.
10. Am fear a bhios a’ riarachadh na maraig, bidh an ceann reamhar aige fhèin.
The man that divides the pudding will have the thick end to himself.
11. Bidh mìr a’ ghill’ èasgaidh air gach mèis.
The smart fellow’s share is on every dish.
12. Chan fhiach cuirm gun a còmhradh.
A feast is no good without conversation
13. S fheàrr am bonnach beag le beannachd na am bonnach mòr le mallachd.
Better the small scone with blessing than the large scone with cursing.
14. Beathaich thusa mis’ an-diugh, is beathaichidh mis’ thus’ am màireach.
You feed me today, and I’ll feed you tomorrow.
