Ogham is definitely an alphabet that seems on monumental inscriptions dating in the fourth towards the sixth century AD, as well as in manuscripts dating in the sixth towards the ninth century. It had been used mainly to create Primitive and Old Irish, also to write Old Welsh, Pictish and Latin. It had been inscribed on stone monuments throughout Ireland, particuarly Kerry, Cork and Waterford, as well as in England, Scotland, the Isle of individual and Wales, specifically in Pembrokeshire in south Wales.
The name Ogham is pronounced [ˈoːm] or [ˈoːəm] in Modern Irish, also it was spelt ogam and pronounced [ˈɔ☺m] in Old Irish. Its origins are uncertain: it may be named following the Irish god Ogma, or following the Irish phrase og-úaim (point-seam), which refers back to the seam made the moment of the sharp weapon. Ogham is also referred to as or ogham craobh (tree ogham) janet luis fearn or janet luis nion. following the first couple of letters.
Ogham most likely pre-dates the first inscriptions – some scholars accept is as true goes back towards the first century AD – because the language used shows pre-fourth century elements. It’s considered to happen to be modelled on or inspired through the Roman, Greek or Runic scripts. It is built to write Primitive Irish and it was possibly should have been a secret type of communication.
While all surviving Ogham inscriptions take presctiption stone, it had been most likely more generally inscribed on sticks, stakes and trees. Inscriptions are mainly people’s names and were most likely accustomed to mark possession, territories and graves. Some inscriptions in primitive Irish and Pictish haven’t been deciphered, there’s also numerous bilingual inscriptions in Ogham and Latin, and Ogham and Old Norse written using the Runic alphabet.
Notable features
- Kind of writing system: alphabet
- Quantity of letters: 25, that are grouped into five aicmí (sing. aicme = group, class). Each aicme is known as after its first letter. Initially Ogham was comprised of 20 letters or four aicmí the 5th acime. or Forfeda, was added to be used in manuscripts.
- Writing surfaces: rocks, wood, manuscripts
- Direction of writing: inscribed round the edges of rocks running from bottom to top and right to left, or right to left and horizontally in manuscripts.
- Letters are linked together with a solid line.
- Accustomed to write: Primitive and Old Irish, Pictish, Old Welsh and Latin
The Ogham alphabet (vertical)
The pronunciation from the letters proven is perfect for Primitive Irish the word what utilized in nearly all Ogham inscriptions. What they are called and sounds symbolized by from the letters uath and straif are uncertain. There are various form of the letter names – the conventional ones are utilized here [using the Primitive Irish ones, where known, in bracketts] – others are available at: evertype.com.
The Ogham alphabet (horizontal)
Downloads
The Sons of Lugudeca, Boy of Cunea
A Classic Irish Joke in Primtive Irish (translation by David Stifter)
Transliteration
Tengwās īwerijonākā
Tut raddassodd trīs dītrebākī dīslondetun do bitū.
Tēgoddit in wāssākan do atareregiyī esyan kenutan writ dēwan.
B􁷚r kina labarātun writ alaliyan qos qennan bl𑏚niyās.
Issit andan esset bīrt wiras dī ᄻis writ alaliyan diyas blᄽniyas: “mati ad tāyomas.”
Bowet samali qos qennan bl𑏚niyās.
“Issit mati sodesin,” esset bīrt aliyas uiras.
B􁷚r andan ēran sodesū qos qennan bl𑏚niyās.
“Tongū wo mō brattan,” esset bīrt trissas uiras, “ma nīt lēggītar kiyunessus do mū, imbit gabiyū wāssākan oliyan dū swi.”
Old Irish (Sengoídelc) version
Tr໚r manach do·rat díultad dont �gul.
T໚gait i fásach do aithrigi a peccad comes to an end d໚.
Bátar cen labrad comes to an end araile co cenn blnae.
Is so that as랾rt fer diib comes to an end araile dia blnae, “Maith at·taam,” olse.
Amein co cenn blnae.
“Is maith ón,” ol in indara fer.
Bátar and ໚r suidiu co cenn blnae.
“Toingim fom aibit,” ol in tres fer, “mani·léicthe ciúnas dom co n-imgປ in fásach uile dúib.”
Modern Irish (Gaeilge) version (by Dennis King)
Triúr manach a thug diúltú don saol.
Téann siad ins an fhásach chun aithrí a dhéanamh ina gcuid peacaí roimh Dhia.
Bhí siad gan labhairt lena chéile go ceann bliana.
Ansin dúirt fear díobh le fear eile bliain amháin ina dhiaidh crime, “Táimid go maith,” ar seisean.
Marly crime go ceann bliana.
“Is maith go deimhin,” arsa an dara fear.
Bhí siad ann ina dhiaidh crime go ceann bliana.
“Dar m’aibíd,” arsa an treas fear, “mura ligeann sibh ciúnas dom fágfaidh mé an fásach uile daoibh!”
British version (by Dennis King)
Three holy men switched their back around the world.
They entered the backwoods to make amends for their sins before God.
They didn’t talk to each other for any year.
In the finish of the season, one of these spoke up and stated, “We’re succeeding.Inch
Another year passed exactly the same way.
“Yes we’re,Inch stated the following man.
And thus another year passed.
“I recommend my smock,” stated the 3rd man, “should you two won’t be still I’m likely to make you within the backwoods!
Texts in Latin
Transliteration
Numus honoratur sine. Numo nullus amatur.
Translation