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Translations
from the English |
| Much of our modern Gaelic prose literature
consists of translations from the English. In this the Gaelic differs from the Welsh, in
which is to be found a large amount of original prose writing on various subjects. This
has arisen from the demand for such a literature being less among the Highlanders, among
whom the English language has made greater progress, so much so, that when a desire for
extensive reading exists, it is generally attended with a sufficient knowledge of English.
Translations of religious works, however, have been relished, and pretty ample provision
has been made to meet the demand. The first book printed in modern Scottish Gaelic was a
translation of Baxter's Call to the Unconverted, executed by the Rev. Alex
M'Farlane, of Kilninver, and published in 1750. There is much of the Irish orthography and
idiom retained in this work, but it is a near approach to the modern spoken language of
the Highlands. Since then many of the works of well-known religious authors have been
translated and published, among which may be mentioned works by Boston, Bunyan, Brookes,
Colquhoun, and Doddridge. These are much prized and read throughout the Highlands. The
translations are of various excellence; some of tem accurate and elegant, while others are
deficient in both these qualities. Dr Smith's version of Alleine's Alarm is an
admirable specimen of translation, and is altogether worthy of the fame of Dr Smith. The
same may be said of Mr M'Farlane's translation of The History of Joseph, which is
an excellent specimen of Gaelic writing. The Monthly Visitor tract has been
translated by the writer for the last twelve years, and it has a large circulation |
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