What is Indymedia Ireland i nGaeilge

national | arts and media | news report Friday December 23, 2005 10:47 by RobbieSaoririseoir robbiesin at gmail dot com

Question raised on Editorial Mailing List

indymedias elsewhere seem to have found translations of the word 'indymedia' to their respective languages. Although English is the predominant language on www.indymedia.ie, linguistic diversity is welcome. Being based in Ireland, Irish IMC is best placed to give recognition to the Irish language.

Homogeny suits hegemony, and linguistic diversity helps, when it comes to thinking in different ways.

To this end, translating the word 'indymedia' or 'independent media centre' to Gaelic, also involves translating the concept - one which may mean different things to different people.

In keeping with the democratic nature of indymedia, it is important that as many people as possible contribute to the discussion. People don't need fluency to have a perspective.

The seach is on for the Gaelic equivalent of “Indymedia Ireland” and perhaps, also, “Independent Media Centre (MC)”.

Firstly, here are some suggestions and explanations on “Indymedia Ireland”. These are not written in order of preference, but if you’re interested in cutting to the quick, I’ve simplified the alternatives to my preferred shortlist in Comments.

Gaelic spellings tend to be long, and misleading to non-Gaelic-speakers, but I hope the phonetic supplied can give an adequate idea of the spoken version.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

A.1.a: Saorchumarsáid Éireann [phon: sayr-khum-er-soyj ay-rin].

* saor = a prefix meaning “free”, “independent” or “indy” in all its English meanings. To my knowledge, it hasn’t been used as a prefix in context of media or journalism before – small wonder.
* cumarsáid = “communication”, occasionally, is used by some to mean “media”.
* Éireann = Ireland.

Four sylables, this option emphasises ‘communication’ as opposed to ‘news’.


A.2.a. Saoririseoireacht Éireann [sayr-irrish-oh-rockt ay-rin]

* saor = free
* iriseoireacht = “journalism” or “reporting” in all its English meanings, including opinion and analysis.
* Éireann = Ireland

This has the same number of sylables as ‘Indymedia Ireland’.

Depneding on how all-encompassing the term ‘journalism’ is considered to be, some might think it restrictive in its emphasising the ‘news’ aspect of the site.

A.3.a. Saormeáin Éireann [sayr-myawin ay-rin]

* saor = free/independent/indy
* meáin = “media”
* Éireann = Ireland

This one is the literal translation and is the snappiest in terms of sylables.

Variations of the above are also possible with ‘na h’Éireann. This addition means ‘of Ireland’, but, as in the Latin/Romantic Languages, this ‘of’ is used commonly to describe association as much as possession, especially when more than one person is involved. Basically, it’s not as awkward as it might seem in English, but it does look a bit more formal or official.

A.1.b. Saorchumarsáid na hÉireann.
A.2.b. Saoririseoireacht na hÉireann.
A.3.b. Saormeáin na hÉireann.

Finally on ‘indymedia Ireland’.

A.4.a. Meáin Saor Éireann
Media of the free/workers Ireland &
Free/indy Media Ireland

A.4.b. Meáin Saor na hÉireann
same as above, but ‘of’ Ireland.



A.5. Indymedia Éireann – for those concerned with cognitive economy.

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There is an idea out there that Independent Media Centre (IMC) is unnecessary, and should be dropped from logos etc. (just having Indymedia Ireland) to save confusion. There is also the view that IMC is a handy abbreviation. Either way, here are the alternatives so far on this front.

B.1.a. ionad cumarsáid saor [phon: unad cum-er-soyj sayr].

* ionad = specific or designated space or place.
* cumarsáid = “communication”
* saor =
adjective) “free” in all its English meanings. Ó’Dónall’s ‘Fóclóir Gaeilge-Béarla’, elaborates nicely: “noble, inedpendent, enfranchised, unrestricted, unrestrained, blameless, innocent, immune, exempt, (of things) choice, cheap: eh I better stop there :-).
noun) worker, arteficer, freeman or free person.

I was only reminded of this second meaning this morning when I consulted Ó Dónall, and this double-meaning brings B1a up in my estimation.

[Grammatical note: the genitive case of the plural noun (‘workers’ etc.) happens to be the same as the adjective ‘free’].

This is what is used on the current logo, but I suggest, an even better rendition can be found. Firstly, the syntax [order of words] looks staid and stilted, as if they have come from three respective consultations of a dictionary. I think it just looks awkward ,anyway, though the meaning is multi-faceted.

My main problem with it is the the word ‘ionad’ might be a bit restrictive, in that he is a specific, designated place. It could create the impression that there is an indymedia office somewhere and that everything eminates from that.

Another lesser problem, if a problem at all, is that cumarsáid should be ‘cumarsáide’ (genitive case of communicsion), or, perhaps, cumarsáidí (genitive case of communicationss (plural).

hence,

B.1.b. ionad cumarsáide shor
B.1.c. ionad cumarsáidí shaor

B.2.a. Áit Cumarsáide Shaor
* áit = “place or space” in a less restrictive sense than “ionad”.
* Cumarsáide = genitive case of ‘cumarsáid’ (“communication (singular but not necessarilly unusual:-)”).

Now, the ‘place/space’ is less specific – good; but you may have noticed a ‘h’ creeping into s(h)aor. ‘Áit’ did that, being feminine. Saor/freedom is dpendent on the gender of the preceding noun. So, to cut a long sotry short :-) the ‘worker’ double-meaning is lost.

There are other variables of this (i.e., Áit Cumarsáide Shaor na hÉireann), but I think the syntax from the outset is messy; better to say

B.2.b. Áit Saorchumarsáide; or

B.2.c. Áit Saorchumarsáidí (genitive case of communications plural).


better still, perhapse to get the initials “ÁSÉ”
B.2.d. Áit Saorchumarsáide Éireann

B.2.e. Áit Saorchumarsáidí Éireann

B.2.f. Áit Saorchumarsáide na hÉireann
B.2.g. Áit Soarchumarsáidí na hÉireann.


B.3.a. Áit Saormeán Éireann
áit = unspecified space/place
saormeán = genitive case of ‘meán’ (“Indymedia”).

3.b. Áit Saormeán na hÉireann.

B.4.a. Áit Meán Saor Éireann
Literally, this means two things:
* Free/indymedia space of Ireland; and
* Media Space for the workers etc. of Ireland.

B.4.b. Áit Meán Saor na hÉireann

B.5.a. Cumann Saormeán Éireann
Cumann = association

B.5.b. Cumann Saormeán na hÉireann

B.5.c. Cumann na Meán Saor

B.5.d Cumann Meán Saor na hÉireann